Sustainable Management of Small-Scale and Data-Limited Fisheries: Diagnosis and Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) have historically been undervalued by fisheries scientists and management authorities, leading to their marginalization in both national and international discussions. This oversight is largely due to a misconception regarding their socio-economic significance. SSF significantly contribute to food security and local economies, accounting for over half of global fish landings and employing more than 90% of all wild-catch fishers, thus playing a vital role in maintaining community livelihoods and contributing to the seafood trade. However, the lack of attention towards SSF has resulted in fewer resources for data collection and stock assessments, especially for those considered to have low economic value. Consequently, many fish stocks are classified as data-limited, which complicates effective management and decision-making processes in fisheries [1].

Beyond the misconception of low economic value, the marginalization of SSF also stems from the inherent difficulties in applying traditional monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) and traditional control management approaches, which are more suited to industrial fisheries. The dispersed nature of SSF, coupled with their diverse operational scales and landing sites, makes centralized management challenging. Effective SSF management necessitates a shift towards governance frameworks that empower fishing communities and leverage their local knowledge.

To address these challenges, Fishes has published a Special Issue titled “Diagnosis and Management of Small-Scale and Data-Limited Fisheries” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/fishes/special_issues/89YAN57X9Z), which explores various aspects of SSF management and sustainability. This edition features studies that examine methodologies for sustainable resource use. For example, Kuo et al. (2023) investigated the impact of fishing dynamics on data-limited assessment models [2]. Pereira et al. (2023) provided a socio-ecological overview of the greater amberjack fishery in the Balearic Islands, highlighting ecological factors affecting sustainability [3]. Other articles assessed the effectiveness of legal frameworks in Russia for endangered species [4], analyzed the technical efficiency of fishing fleets in Lake Victoria [5], studied the Decapod species C. pagurus and H. gammarus in Berwickshire and Northumberland [6,7], and utilized simulation tools to recommend effective harvest strategies for the leopard coral grouper in Indonesia [8]. Furthermore, studies have advocated for differentiated policies in China's coastal fisheries management [9] and the exploitation status of 55 commercial species in Egyptian Red Sea fisheries [10].

It is now widely acknowledged that co-management, management plans, and territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) play a critical role in fostering community involvement in both data collection and sustainable management. These approaches facilitate integrating valuable local ecological knowledge, improve regulatory compliance, and help to resolve conflicts arising with industrial fisheries.

Extending this dialogue, we can announce the second edition of this Special Issue and invite all interested researchers to submit their papers related to SSF and their issues. This follow-up edition will further study these vital fisheries and enhance knowledge-sharing across various domains related to SSF management. Particular attention will be given to submissions that focus on the diagnosis and strategic development of sustainable SSF. We especially encourage submissions that delve into the exploration and practical implementation of governance frameworks, specifically co-management, TURFs, and community-driven management plans. These submissions are particularly welcomed in light of evolving political trends supporting SSF at the regional and international levels.

References

1. Samy-Kamal, M.; Teixeira, C. M. Diagnosis and management of small-scale and data-limited fisheries. Fishes 2023, 8, 39.
2. Kuo, T.C.; Cheng, C.C.; Su, N.J. Effects of fishing selectivity and dynamics on the performance of catch-based data-limited assessment models for species with different life history traits. Fishes 2023, 8, 130.
3. Pereira, I.R.; Valls, M.; Aoufi, S.; Bienentreu, O.C.; Huang, Y.; Cabanellas-Reboredo, M. Socio-ecological overview of the greater amberjack fishery in the Balearic Islands. Fishes 2023, 8, 184.
4. Samy-Kamal, M.; Shulezhko, T.; Lisitcyna, N. Marine endangered and threatened species in Russia: A review of current conservation strategies and management legislative tools. Fishes 2023, 8, 399.
5. Mpomwenda, V.; Tómasson, T.; Pétursson, J.G.; Taabu-Munyaho, A.; Nyamweya, C.S.; Kristófersson, D.M. Technical Efficiency of the Nile Perch Fishing Fleet on Lake Victoria: A Comparative Perspective on the Three Riparian Countries Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Fishes 2024, 9, 414.
6. Easton, B.A.A.; Boon, A.; Richards, J.; Scott, K. Comparing the Size at Onset of Sexual Maturity of Edible Crab (Cancer pagurus, Cancridae) in Berwickshire and Northumberland. Fishes 2023, 8, 260.
7. Easton, B.A.A.; Scott, K.; Richards, J.; Rees, A. Catch per Unit Effort of Decapod Species, C. pagurus and H. gammarus, from a Voluntary Marine Reserve. Fishes 2023, 8, 390.
8. Herdiana, Y.; Wiryawan, B.; Wisudo, S.H.; Tweedley, J.R.; Yulianto, I.; Natsir, M.; Agustina, S.; Hordyk, A.; Loneragan, N.R. Application of the Method Evaluation and Risk Assessment Tool for a Small-Scale Grouper Fishery in Indonesia. Fishes 2023, 8, 498.
9. Xiong, M.; Wu, Z.; Qi, G.; Jiang, K.; Zhao, N.; Jiang, W. Exploring Policy of Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries in China: Evolution, Challenges and Prospects. Fishes 2024, 9, 451.
10. Mehanna, S.F.; Samy-Kamal, M. Population Dynamics Parameters and Exploitation Status of 55 Commercial Species in Egyptian Red Sea Fisheries: A Key to Sustainable Fisheries. Fishes 2024, 9, 255.

Dr. Mohamed Samy-Kamal
Dr. José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• data-limited fisheries
• fishery management
• management measures
• monitoring programs
• small-scale fisheries
• stock assessment
• sustainability

• Diagnosis and Management of Small-Scale and Data-Limited Fisheries in Fishes (11 articles)