Managing abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear in Cameroon's marine small-scale fisheries: Perspective of local ecological knowledge

IF 3.9 2区社会学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Marine Policy Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-06 DOI:10.1016/j.marpol.2025.107000

Maurice Beseng

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) represents a significant global challenge due to its contribution to plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods. This study examines the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of fishers and state officials in Cameroon regarding the ALDFG–plastic pollution nexus, its causes and impacts, and how LEK influences their understanding and willingness to engage in sustainable gear management practices. Data were collected through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys of 41 fishers, a focus group discussion, interviews with state actors, and direct observations across four fishing communities in western maritime zone. Analysis was conducted using SPSS (version 29) and triangulated with themes from relevant secondary literature.

Findings

reveal that the dependence on imported fishing gear significantly affects the availability and selection of durable gear among fishers. Both fishers and state officials’ awareness and concern about ALDFG’s role in plastic pollution are shaped by factors such as gear sourcing, duration of use, frequency of loss, and perceived community-level impacts. Notably, fishers expressed strong concerns about the influence of illegal fishing on the rate of gear loss, which in turn affects their willingness to participate in community-based recycling initiatives and their interest in receiving subsidies for biodegradable gear. To address these challenges, the study recommends a multifaceted approach including improved understanding of fishing gear supply chains, targeted awareness campaigns, regulatory and enforcement reforms, financial incentives for biodegradable gear, and the establishment of dedicated waste management systems for fishing gear.

查看原文本刊更多论文

喀麦隆海洋小规模渔业中废弃、丢失或以其他方式丢弃的渔具的管理：当地生态知识的视角

被遗弃、丢失或以其他方式丢弃的渔具（ALDFG）造成塑料污染，对海洋生态系统和沿海生计产生有害影响，是一项重大的全球挑战。本研究考察了喀麦隆渔民和国家官员关于aldfg -塑料污染关系的当地生态知识（LEK），其原因和影响，以及LEK如何影响他们参与可持续渔具管理实践的理解和意愿。数据通过混合方法收集，包括对41名渔民的调查、焦点小组讨论、与国家行为者的访谈以及对西部海域四个渔业社区的直接观察。使用SPSS （version 29）进行分析，并与相关二手文献的主题进行三角测量。研究发现，对进口渔具的依赖显著影响了渔民对耐用渔具的可得性和选择。渔民和州政府官员对ALDFG在塑料污染中的作用的认识和关注都受到渔具采购、使用时间、损失频率和感知到的社区影响等因素的影响。值得注意的是，渔民对非法捕鱼对渔具损失率的影响表示强烈关切，这反过来影响了他们参与社区回收倡议的意愿，也影响了他们接受生物可降解渔具补贴的兴趣。为了应对这些挑战，该研究建议采取多方面的方法，包括提高对渔具供应链的了解，有针对性的宣传活动，监管和执法改革，对可生物降解渔具的财政激励，以及建立专门的渔具废物管理系统。

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来源期刊

Marine Policy Multiple-

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

13.20%

发文量

428

期刊介绍： Marine Policy is the leading journal of ocean policy studies. It offers researchers, analysts and policy makers a unique combination of analyses in the principal social science disciplines relevant to the formulation of marine policy. Major articles are contributed by specialists in marine affairs, including marine economists and marine resource managers, political scientists, marine scientists, international lawyers, geographers and anthropologists. Drawing on their expertise and research, the journal covers: international, regional and national marine policies; institutional arrangements for the management and regulation of marine activities, including fisheries and shipping; conflict resolution; marine pollution and environment; conservation and use of marine resources. Regular features of Marine Policy include research reports, conference reports and reports on current developments to keep readers up-to-date with the latest developments and research in ocean affairs.