Milena Arias Schreiber

PhD project:

Fisheries sustainability and coastal governance in the Humboldt and the Benguela Upwelling Ecosystems

Coastal upwelling areas are considered to be the most productive marine ecosystems and provide more than 40% of world fisheries catches. Two main coastal upwelling areas in the southern hemisphere are located off the west coasts of South America (the Humboldt) and Africa (the Benguela). Both areas are characterized by large stocks of small pelagic fish species, subject to significant interannual and interdecadal fluctuations. The most important environmental factor affecting the variability of the Humboldt ecosystem is an interdecadal oceanographic event known as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

In addition to the occurrence of El Niño in the Humboldt ecosystem, an important difference between both upwelling areas has been recently the matter of scientific research: while pelagic fisheries management have been commercially profitable in the Humboldt ecosystem and the fishery has recovered from collapses in 1971, 1983 and 1997 (caused by the combined effects of El Niño and overfishing) the Benguela fishery collapsed during the late 80´s and has not yet fully recovered. The recovery of the collapsed fisheries in Peru has been attributed to the resilience of the Humboldt ecosystem and elasticity of the pelagic fish stocks. This research project will found out if sustainability, until now, of pelagic fisheries in the Humboldt ecosystem is not only a result of the resilience of the ecosystem and adaptation to El Niño variability, but of more adapted governance regimes and institutional settings in comparison with the Benguela case.

The different norms and traditions, laws and regulations, control and monitoring mechanisms, organizational structures in the fishery sector of the two study areas will be analysed in order to identify processes and develop conceptual models of co-evolution between natural conditions and social structures. The influence of El Niño on the governance of the Peruvian (Humboldt) fishery will be explored as an important factor determining differences between the two zones.

What are the main management and governance features of a resilient fishery (Humbolt) compared to one that appears less adapted to dramatic variability as in Benguela? How can we promote these governance features? How do people and non-human species adapt and survive to dramatic changes in the environment and how can governance contribute to the adaptation process? Which fisheries are most vulnerable to changes and what can be done to predict and mitigate the impacts of these changes? These are the questions to be addressed by this research project.

Research Area: D "Challenges to Society"