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(25
Oct 2005)
Poverty-environment nexus with respect to marine
resource management
The
Maldives has enjoyed remarkable social and economic progress in
the past three decades, and yet has severe difficulties in reducing
its vulnerability and distribution of developmental benefits to
its population. The highly dispersed nature of the population,
isolation and smallness of island communities give rise to numerous
constraints in provision of social and economic infrastructure
and services. The cost of providing and maintaining socio-economic
services in the Maldives is, at present, often four to five times
greater than in continental developing countries, and even in
a number of other small island developing states.
Linkages
between poverty and environment in the Maldives
Social
and economic development in the Maldives faces unique constraints
and challenges, primarily from its natural geographic situation.
Declining
catch volumes and catch size
A
study was conducted in 2003 in Faafu atoll. The fishers of Faafu
atoll report declining catch volumes and declining catch size
in the grouper fishery. Most fishers linked the low number of
groupers more to reef loss (due to climatic variations) than due
to over fishing. Other causal factors identified by fishers and
other community groups were natural variations in grouper spawning
and stocks, and damage to reefs by human causes such as pollution,
coral mining and destructive fishing practices (in particular
the damage to reefs by lobster fishers, and dumping of waste water
by sea cucumber fishers). The key driver of causal factors due
to human actions was identified as income poverty. The few income
opportunities within the atoll other than through the use of marine
resources, low-income levels of segments of the population and
decreasing incomes from the main fisheries (grouper, tuna and
sand mining) were identified as key drivers.
Use
of destructive fishing gear and practices
While
the use of destructive fishing practices and gear is banned under
the Fisheries Law (Law No. 5/87 of the Maldives) and regulations,
violations are reportedly common. Fishers place emphasis on increasing
fisher awareness of fisheries related laws and regulations.
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