Middlemen,a critical social-ecological link in coastal communities of Kenya and Zanzibar |
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| Authors: | Beatrice Crona Magnus Nyström Carl Folke Narriman Jiddawi |
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| Institution: | 1. Stockholm Resilience Center, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;2. Department of Systems Ecology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;3. Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 50005, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden;4. Institute of Marine Science, Zanzibar |
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| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the middlemen–fishermen link in coastal communities along the coast of southern Kenya and Zanzibar, and explores effects of reciprocal agreements and credit arrangements on social-ecological feedbacks of coastal systems. The existence and generality of such arrangements are mapped and their effect on resource use and ecosystem dynamics is then explored. Data show that credit arrangements are widespread and that fishermen are bound by reciprocal agreements and financial guarantees during periods of lower catches that provide short-term stabilizing social effects. These arrangements create incentives which disconnect resource extraction from ecosystem dynamics and impede development of sustainable use practices. The role of middlemen is seldom accounted for in fisheries governance. Scenarios for the development of small-scale fisheries in the region are outlined and the function of middlemen is discussed considering the influence of external drivers. Policies that incorporate middlemen are recommended to improve the governance of fish stocks and coastal ecosystems in East Africa. |
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| Keywords: | Small-scale fishery Middlemen Social-ecological systems East Africa Ecosystem management Resilience |
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