Local, Co-Managed Fisheries: A Path to Sustainable Fishing in the Coastal and Island Communities of the Greek Seas

46 Pages Posted: 21 Apr 2014

See all articles by Lisa Uffman-Kirsch, J.D., LL.M., PhD Candidate

Lisa Uffman-Kirsch, J.D., LL.M., PhD Candidate

University of the Aegean; Centre for Marine Socioecology-University of Tasmania; Utrecht University School of Law; Case Western Reserve University School of Law

Date Written: Revised March 15, 2013

Abstract

Fish stock depletion in the world’s oceans and seas is one of the world’s most serious environmental problems. In light of Greece’s less than compliant State practice toward fishery management and conservation, this paper explores whether co-managed Fishery Protected Areas (FPAs) are an effective method of increasing the sustainability of Aegean/Mediterranean Sea fishing.

This paper presents a broad-brush view of the close relationship Greece has had with the sea in the Aegean/Mediterranean region from ancient to current times. Juxtaposed is Greece’s modern lack of national policy priority for sustainable fishery management and conservation as illustrated through specific examples and effects of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing around the artisanal fishing villages of Fourni Island (Fournoi) and Ormos (Samos Island) in the Eastern Aegean. Also discussed is the European Union’s role in the fisheries governing scheme.

Field research gathered on Fourni Island by the author and a research team from the Greek non-governmental organization, Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation serves as the foundation for the paper’s message. In contrast to examples of Greece’s past performance in marine conservation, the paper culminates in an in-depth analysis of the components necessary for successful implementation and functioning of local co-managed FPAs.

The Fourni Island artisanal fishing community is currently the focus of a pilot project organizing it as the first co-managed FPA in Greece. The author served as a team member of this pilot project.

Keywords: Fishery Protected Areas, Marine Protected Areas, Greek Fisheries, Greek Seas, Aegean Sea fisheries, Artisanal Fisheries, Fourni Island Greece, European Union Fisheries

JEL Classification: K32, K33, K42, Q22, Q25, Q28

Suggested Citation

Uffman-Kirsch, Lisa, Local, Co-Managed Fisheries: A Path to Sustainable Fishing in the Coastal and Island Communities of the Greek Seas (Revised March 15, 2013). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2426834 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2426834

Lisa Uffman-Kirsch (Contact Author)

University of the Aegean ( email )

Mytilini, Lesvos
Greece

Centre for Marine Socioecology-University of Tasmania ( email )

Private Bag 89
Hobart
Tasmania, 7001
Australia

HOME PAGE: http://marinesocioecology.org/

Utrecht University School of Law ( email )

3508 TC Utrecht
Utrecht
Netherlands

Case Western Reserve University School of Law ( email )

11075 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106-7148
United States

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