Between uncertainty and hope: Young leaders as agents of change in sustainable small-scale fisheries

Abstract

The path to sustainable small-scale fisheries (SSF) is based on multiple learning processes that must transcend generational changes. To understand young leaders from communities with sustainable SSF management practices in Mexico, we used in-depth interviews to identify their shared motivations and perceptions for accepting their fishing heritage. These possible future decision-makers act as agents of change due to their organizational and technological abilities. However, young people are currently at a crossroads. Many inherited a passion for the sea and want to improve and diversify the fishing sector, yet young leaders do not want to accept a legacy of complicated socioenvironmental conditions that can limit their futures. These future leaders are especially concerned by the uncertainty caused by climate change. If fishing and generational change are not valued in planning processes, the continuity of fisheries, the success of conservation actions, and the lifestyles of young fishers will remain uncertain. Graphical abstract

Youth recruitment and retainment in small‐scale fisheries: Factors influencing succession and participation decisions in Cameroon

“…Similar to the findings of Espinoza‐Tenorio et al. (2022) in Mexico, climate change stressors are likely to threaten the ability of youths to continue in SSF. Moreover, after two decades of decline in fish catch, starting in 2009, Neis et al.…”

“…Lack of access to climate-smart innovations, tools and information were some of the concerns raised by potential successors as the reason for not desiring to participate in fisheries-related activities in the future. It has been established elsewhere by Espinoza-Tenorio et al (2022) in Mexico that youths engaged in SSF used social network platforms like Facebook to get fishing information. We found that access to subsidised or low-priced innovative fishing methods, tools and information was positively associated with potential successors' decisions to succeed in fish harvesting activities.…”

“…Relatedly, Espinoza‐Tenorio et al. (2022) in Mexico studied aspects of uncertainty and hope for youths in sustainable SSF and found that climate change is the greatest external threat to fishing, hindering the ability of youths to continue in SSF‐related activities. They also found that despite the impact of climate change, some youths participated in SSF because of historical ties to fishing since childhood.…”

“…Mugambiwa and Dzomonda (2018) emphasised the role of capacity-building and skills development for youths as triggers to curb future climate change impacts. Moreover, some scholars have investigated the role of capacity-building opportunities and skills acquisition in supporting youth participation in SSF(Espinoza-Tenorio et al, 2022;Neis et al, 2013). Espinoza-Tenorio and colleagues found that youths were willing to participate and continue in SSF, provided they could receive training on the rational use of resources and climate change.…”

Two Decades of Community-Based Marine Conservation Provide the Foundations for Future Action

“…With the exception of some oceanographic monitoring data, fishers do not yet independently analyze it and often rely on external collaborations in order to maximize its value (Fulton et al, 2019)this highlights the potential for further investment in human capital. Yet, this has motivated the younger population to become advocates for the cause (Espinoza-Tenorio et al, 2021). In cases where Mexican fishers have been involved in the ecological monitoring of marine reserves, participants have also reported personal growth in areas ranging from environmental awareness to publicspeaking skills (Quintana et al, 2020), which has anecdotally enhanced their negotiating power with seafood buyers and policy-makers.…”