Abstract

The sea urchin fisheries of Barbados and St Lucia have provided supplemental income for families living in coastal communi-ties for many years. These fisheries have also shaped the social history and influenced the culture of communities that traditionally take part in harvesting and related activities. In recent times, low abundance of sea urchins has resulted in legislated multi-year closures of the fisheries. In Barbados the last open season occurred in 2004, while St. Lucia had only a three-day open season in 2009 after being closed for the prior four years. These closures suggest that current regulatory management measures are not producing results that sustain livelihoods in the fishery. The adoption of an adaptive co-management (ACM) approach which empowers resource users and other stakeholders to manage their resources and protect their livelihood may provide a solution. Implementing such an arrangement requires commitment to a long term institution building process. It is likely to encounter many challenges. Assessing the feasibility of implementing this innovative approach to management is part of doctoral research in five sea urchin harvesting communities in Barbados and St. Lucia. Livelihoods analyses were conducted in Silver Sands and Consett Bay in Barbados and Anse Ger, Laborie and Vieux Fort in St. Lucia. In each community a short questionnaire was administered at the household level to investigate assets, vulnerabilities, institutions, livelihood strategies and outcomes. This paper presents preliminary findings and suggests how livelihood strategies and outcomes can develop and sustain conditions that favour successful ACM.