Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia
The pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus is an Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species primarily threatened by overfishing. Indonesia is the world's largest shark fishing nation, and in Alor Island, thresher sharks have been a primary target for small-scale fishing communiti...
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| author | Rafid A. Shidqi Dewi R. Sari Jeheskiel Alopen Yodhikson M. Bang Igo Arianto Primiaty N. S. Kopong Vivekananda Gitandjali TD Etoile Smulders Hollie Booth |
| author_facet | Rafid A. Shidqi Dewi R. Sari Jeheskiel Alopen Yodhikson M. Bang Igo Arianto Primiaty N. S. Kopong Vivekananda Gitandjali TD Etoile Smulders Hollie Booth |
| author_sort | Rafid A. Shidqi |
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| description | The pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus is an Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species primarily threatened by overfishing. Indonesia is the world's largest shark fishing nation, and in Alor Island, thresher sharks have been a primary target for small-scale fishing communities for decades, sustaining subsistence livelihoods and serving as a protein source. With thresher shark populations continuously declining, there is a need for conservation measures to reduce shark mortality from fishing, while also securing the well-being of coastal communities. This study presents results and lessons learnt from a multi-faceted effort to reduce communities’ dependence on this Endangered shark species through a livelihood-based intervention complemented by collaborative species management and community outreach. Using a theory-based and statistical research design, we describe the approach taken in our intervention and its conservation outcomes. Total thresher shark catches were 91% lower among fishers who participated in our intervention compared to non-participants. Participating fishers also experienced increases in their income, in some cases by up to 525% relative to the income before the intervention. Occasional violations and challenges in the form of socio-political conflicts also occurred, yet these incidents acted as catalysts for regulatory change and reinforced stakeholder collaboration. This suggests overall positive outcomes and the potential for continued social change in shark conservation in the region over the long term. Our findings outline some generalizable lessons learnt for designing and implementing bottom-up livelihood-based interventions in other contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0e6add1b5a9c4b88948d5c879376d2e9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0030-6053 1365-3008 |
| language | English |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Oryx |
| spelling | doaj-art-0e6add1b5a9c4b88948d5c879376d2e92025-02-11T05:31:53ZengCambridge University PressOryx0030-60531365-300811210.1017/S0030605324001376Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, IndonesiaRafid A. Shidqi0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1368-8871Dewi R. Sari1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9889-2470Jeheskiel Alopen2Yodhikson M. Bang3Igo Arianto4Primiaty N. S. Kopong5https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0648-8350Vivekananda Gitandjali TD6Etoile Smulders7Hollie Booth8https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4339-820XNicholas School of The Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA Thresher Shark Indonesia, Kalabahi, IndonesiaThresher Shark Indonesia, Kalabahi, IndonesiaThresher Shark Indonesia, Kalabahi, IndonesiaThresher Shark Indonesia, Kalabahi, IndonesiaThresher Shark Indonesia, Kalabahi, IndonesiaThresher Shark Indonesia, Kalabahi, Indonesia Sekolah Tinggi Pastoral Atma Reksa, Ende, IndonesiaThresher Shark Indonesia, Kalabahi, IndonesiaThresher Shark Indonesia, Kalabahi, IndonesiaDepartment of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKThe pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus is an Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species primarily threatened by overfishing. Indonesia is the world's largest shark fishing nation, and in Alor Island, thresher sharks have been a primary target for small-scale fishing communities for decades, sustaining subsistence livelihoods and serving as a protein source. With thresher shark populations continuously declining, there is a need for conservation measures to reduce shark mortality from fishing, while also securing the well-being of coastal communities. This study presents results and lessons learnt from a multi-faceted effort to reduce communities’ dependence on this Endangered shark species through a livelihood-based intervention complemented by collaborative species management and community outreach. Using a theory-based and statistical research design, we describe the approach taken in our intervention and its conservation outcomes. Total thresher shark catches were 91% lower among fishers who participated in our intervention compared to non-participants. Participating fishers also experienced increases in their income, in some cases by up to 525% relative to the income before the intervention. Occasional violations and challenges in the form of socio-political conflicts also occurred, yet these incidents acted as catalysts for regulatory change and reinforced stakeholder collaboration. This suggests overall positive outcomes and the potential for continued social change in shark conservation in the region over the long term. Our findings outline some generalizable lessons learnt for designing and implementing bottom-up livelihood-based interventions in other contexts.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605324001376/type/journal_articleAlopias pelagicusalternative livelihoodscommunity-based conservationconservation planningelasmobranchevidence-based conservationhuman dimensionspelagic thresher shark |
| spellingShingle | Rafid A. Shidqi Dewi R. Sari Jeheskiel Alopen Yodhikson M. Bang Igo Arianto Primiaty N. S. Kopong Vivekananda Gitandjali TD Etoile Smulders Hollie Booth Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia Oryx Alopias pelagicus alternative livelihoods community-based conservation conservation planning elasmobranch evidence-based conservation human dimensions pelagic thresher shark |
| title | Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia |
| title_full | Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia |
| title_fullStr | Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia |
| title_short | Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia |
| title_sort | designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation a case study on thresher sharks in alor island indonesia |
| topic | Alopias pelagicus alternative livelihoods community-based conservation conservation planning elasmobranch evidence-based conservation human dimensions pelagic thresher shark |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605324001376/type/journal_article |
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