Search

Abstract Social capital has been a key factor for co-management initiatives' success in small-scale fisheries. Nonetheless, this is a complex concept, which can be operationalized in different ways and has no specific standardized measures. This research explores Peruvian scallop aquaculture in the Sechura Bay of Peru as a case study, focusing on the development of social capital among fishers, enterprises and authorities. We evaluated social capital through three of its conceptual building components: (i) trust, (ii) collaboration and reciprocity, and (iii) common norms and sanctions. Specific indicators for each component were developed for analytical purposes. We conducted 66 surveys and 12 interviews with fishers and other key stakeholders. Based on our results, there is weak social capital among aquaculture fishers, enterprises and authorities in the Sechura Bay. This is evident through the low levels of trust and collaboration, as well as the lack of respect for common norms. Weak social capital may explain the two critical problems the system is currently facing for achieving sustainability: reduced availability of seeds and unfair agreements between enterprises and fishermen associations. Strengthening social ties and collaboration can increase aquaculture's resilience at Sechura Bay. Highlights • Social capital presents several challenges for operationalization. • We selected key components and indicators to evaluate it. • We used the case-study of Peruvian scallop aquaculture to assess this framework. • We found low levels of trust, collaboration, and little respect for common norms. • Weak social capital may explain the sustainability challenges the system is facing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving small-scale fishers' wellbeing is a core policy objective in efforts to achieve just, equitable and sustainable futures. Nonetheless, fishers' wellbeing is rarely assessed or monitored over time using quantitative indicators. We evaluated the socio-economic performance and evolution of two small-scale fishing communities of northern Peru using the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. Quantitative indicators were used to characterize fishers financial, human, natural, physical, and social capitals. We also developed a simple, yet novel, composite index to quantify fishers' Unsatisfied Basic Needs. This approach allowed us to grasp changes in the material and relational dimensions of fishers' wellbeing over time. Fishers in these communities had: (i) low human and financial capital assets, (ii) strong social capital assets, and (iii) experienced improvements in their physical capital assets whilst reporting declines in their natural capital assets. Although fishers mainly use highly selective, low-impact fishing methods, their target stocks and incomes are declining. People's wellbeing in these communities was highly vulnerable to external environmental (e.g., El Niño) and economic (e.g., access to markets) drivers as well as poor governance (e.g., weak rule of law, low institutional fit, corruption). Our results suggest that small-scale fishers of these two sites are currently in a social-ecological trap, with many points of entry and few ways out. We discuss potential avenues for escaping the trap and improving their wellbeing based on commonly suggested livelihoods strategies found in the literature. • The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach was used to assess fisher's wellbeing in Peru. • Novel indicators were developed to characterize fishers' capital assets. • Small-scale fishers in Peru are caught in a social-ecological trap. • Fishers' livelihoods are not sustainable, yet they mostly use selective fishing gears. • Improving fishers' wellbeing requires broadening the scope of fisheries research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]