Enhancing the social-ecological resilience of Hilsa fishing commune to global environmental change through co-management

Research summary

The primary aim of the research is to analyze the effects of environmental change on vulnerable communities, and to suggest means of coping with this by way of co-management, bearing in mind the underlying power relations involved.

Description

In the 21st century, global environmental changes such as habitat destruction, biodiversity and ecosystem service loss, pollution and climate change have begun to seriously threaten small-scale fisheries which provide a livelihood to some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. Understanding the various dynamics involved in social-ecological systems (SES'S), By way of which people respond to such changes, is thus of paramount importance to our efforts to build ecological sustainability and human well-being. This study focuses on one SES- Bangladesh's Hilsa fisheries- as a means of exploring how solutions can be developed at the local level to enhance any SES's resilience in response to global environmental changes.

This study focuses on qualitative data from two Hilsa fishing villages in southern Bangladesh. Empirical evidence is collected through in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions. Respondents involved in this study are Hilsa fishers, boat owners, money lenders, NGO's staff, and local government officials. Secondary data is collected from local NGOs reports, Ministry of Fisheries publications, newspapers reports, and online resources.

Research info

Research title
Enhancing the social-ecological resilience of Hilsa fishing commune to global environmental change through co-management

Research timeline
1.1.2015 - 1.12.2019

Keywords
Co-management environmental change Hilsa Social-ecological resilience

Region
Asia

Countries
Bangladesh, Finland

Institution
University of Helsinki
Department of Environmental Science
Helsinki, Finland

Funding instrument
Other

Head of research
Paivi Haapasaari

Partners
University of Helsinki, University of Chittagong, WorldFish Bangladesh, Coastal Resource Centre-University of Rhode Island USA

Contact information
Mohammad Mozumder
+358400491395
mohammad.mozumder@helsinki.fi

Record last updated
14.9.2017