Abstract

With the most overfished waters in the English-speaking Caribbean, Jamaica is a classic case of a fishery and marine biodiversity in crisis - a situation which prompted the establishment of a network of Special Fishery Conservation Areas (SFCAs). This response strategy has received strong support from the Jamaican government and local environmental NGOs. However, the SFCAs have also resulted in displacement and marginalization of many fishers across the island. While the ecological benefits of SFCAs are well established, there is a paucity of research on its social dimensions in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. In this paper we utilize the knowledge, experience and perceptions of 240 fishers from 9 communities adjacent to SFCAs to document the implications of SFCAs for fisheries livelihoods. The results show that most fishers understand the ecological benefits of SFCAs but are more concerned about the socio-economic challenges arising from displacement. Fishers' perceptions vary according to socio- economic characteristics and fishing practices, with spear, net, and older fishers experiencing the most serious livelihood challenges, and as such, are generally less supportive of the SFCAs. The results show that relative awareness of the rules and of the ecological benefits of SFCAs have limited influence on the level of support for the SFCAs from displaced fishers. The overall analysis indicates an urgent need to establish livelihood support programs for displaced groups of fishers across the island.

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