A Collection of Ecuadorian Artisanal Fishermen's Perspectives on Ocean Conservation

Abstract

Ecuadorian artisanal fisheries comprise 87% of artisanal fisheries bycatch in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. [1] While there are solutions to diminishing bycatch, mistrust has grown between artisanal fishers and Ecuador's government. Therefore, government-proposed conservation technologies and policies are often not implemented by fishermen, and thus are largely ineffective. These conservation techniques will likely continue to be ineffective until fishermen’s perspectives and opinions are acknowledged and their priorities integrated into local and national policies. This study aims to understand the relationships between the ocean, marine organisms and fishermen to 1) improve the livelihood of artisanal fishermen, 2) help increase marine wildlife populations in the area and 3) foster relationships between fishermen and government agencies to create bottom-up and top-down conservation policies. Surveys occurred at various points along Ecuador’s coast. This survey is important in designing effective, collaborative and inclusive solutions to fisheries bycatch to prevent the extirpation of species like leatherback sea turtles and hammerhead sharks. Our survey contains questions to understand 1) fishermen's relationships to the ocean, 2) how fishermen define conservation, 3) fishermen’s conservation priorities, 4) the relationship between fishermen and marine animals and 5) how fishermen feel about fishing technologies, policies and regulations in Ecuador. The results from this study have been analyzed for patterns and compiled into this easy-to-read report, which also includes recommendations for future policy proceedings that are grounded in effective environmental psychology principles. This report is intended to be presented to local and federal Ecuadorian government officials by The Leatherback Project (TLP) team to impact future marine conservation decision-making.