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Material Information
- Title:
- The social structure of the USVI fishing community: a basis for reducing fishery ecosystem and resource vulnerablilities, while improving chances for sustainability
- Abbreviated Title:
- A basis for reducing fishery ecosystem and resource vulnerablilities, while improving chances for sustainability
- Creator:
- Ortiz, Lia A.
- Place of Publication:
- St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
- Publisher:
- University of the Virgin Islands
- Publication Date:
- 2013
- Language:
- english
- Physical Description:
- 1 online resource (240 pages)
Notes
- Abstract:
- Sustainable management of the USVI fishery has been a controversial topic among stakeholders
as the fishery itself is a very dynamic social-ecological system (SES) under much legislative and user group pressures. Much of SES dynamics are driven by socio-cultural perceptions (i.e. sense of place, sense of belonging and purpose, and social cohesion and practices) that in turn influence attitudes and behaviors toward the environment. Fishers’ knowledge (FK) is increasingly recognized as an important source of information that can help society to understand environmental and historical changes regarding natural resources from the user groups’ perspective. This knowledge can also provide insight on the role a fishery has in defining the cultural and social identity as well as framing the knowledge structure of its fishing community. Assessing local community structure and qualitative perspectives of the fishery can
aid in determining what aspects contribute to community identity and highlight the significance of
ensuring sustainability and resilience of the USVI modern fishery, not just as an ecological and economic resource, but also as a social and cultural institution.
This has been done through employing an open-ended, snowballing qualitative interview
methodology and data collected were analyzed using social network analyses (SNA). Nineteen interviews were conducted resulting in a total of 87 individuals (including the 19 interview informants) which constituted the sample population for which social network analyses were applied. The social network data were compiled and quantitatively analyzed using SNA software (i.e. UCINET 6.0) to empirically identify the social structure of the USVI fishing community and the emergence of any complex social and contextual relationships that influence USVI fishing community identity. FK qualitative data obtained through the 19 interviewed informants were used to supplement the interpretations of the social network analyses.
Results suggest that the social structure of the USVI fishing community is a highly complex web
of profoundly embedded social patterns of interactions that are influenced by structural properties such as centrality (leadership and brokerage) and cohesion. The homophilic and structurally competitive nature of this community may contribute to weaknesses and vulnerability and reduced capacity for collective action, especially in the face of much economic, ecological and socio-cultural uncertainty. This study provides a basis for understanding the capacity for the USVI fishing community to act collectively and participate in conservation and management of fisheries resources in the USVI. There appears to be existence of capacity via facilitation by current leaders which is observed to be quite prominent within the community. However, this warrants further study to determine the type of influence these individuals have on structural relations within the community and why the homophilic and structurally competitive social phenomena are observed, considering assessment of demographic attributes (i.e. gender, resident location and ethnicity) proved to have no influence. Furthermore, beyond determining the social structure of the USVI fishing community as a means for assessing community capacity to contribute to the sustainability and resilience of fisheries resources, further analysis of the larger fisheries governance framework must be conducted to determine whether there is opportunity present for facilitating the improvement of fishing community participation. There is a critical need for building community awareness and decision-making capacity amongst resource user groups; action must be taken at enhancing current fisheries science communication, exemplifying the significance of the USVI fishing community as a socio-ecological system.
- General Note:
- In the series University of the Virgin Islands Digital Collections.
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- University of the Virgin Islands
- Holding Location:
- University of the Virgin Islands
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Lia A. Ortiz. Permission granted to the University of the Virgin Islands to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
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