Integrating biological, ecological and socio-economic indicators to assess data-limited, tropical, small-scale fisheries : the case of the Colombian Pacific

Abstract

In tropical countries Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) contribute more than half of the total fisheries catch and provide food security, nutrition, employment and multiplier effects to local coastal economies. The multi-species and multi-gear nature of SSF demands a holistic approach for their assessment and management. Using the Colombian Pacific coast as a case study area of tropical, data-limited SSF, this thesis presents a comprehensive assessment that includes: a) the stock condition of main target species, b) the potential impacts of SSF to the biological communities and ecosystems, and (c) the socio-economic drivers of the gear choices made by small-scale fishers. A set of practical recommendations to transition towards more holistic assessments and management of tropical SSF is drawn from the results of the thesis, taking into account the regional and global contexts.