| This dissertation explores alternatives to managing small-scale fisheries in the Caribbean. Specifically, it demonstrates the importance of livelihoods, fisher knowledge, resilience, and institutions in fisheries management and planning; and develops a draft fishery management plan using the Management Objective Driven (MOD) fishery planning process. The case study is the longline fishery for large pelagic species in Gouyave, Grenada. Four analytical approaches are important to this study: (1) sustainable livelihoods framework, with an emphasis on individual, household, and community livelihood strategies; (2) fisher knowledge, with an emphasis on technological and ecological knowledge; (3) a resilience analysis, with an emphasis on adapting to disturbances and changes; and (4) a common property analysis, with an emphasis on sustainable institutions and cross-scale linkages.;Regarding livelihoods, Gouyave fishers and community members are able to secure a living for their households by using diversification strategies, taking advantage of fishing and non-fishing seasonal cycles, and participating in social exchanges. The income they earn from fishing activities is spent locally to economically sustain the community, creating a viable fishing community. However, the community is vulnerable to disturbances (e.g., hurricanes and storm surges) which can change the livelihood systems (economic opportunities) overnight. Therefore, policies and management strategies should support livelihood systems in the community, as it not only benefits fishers but also the community.;The study shows that fisher knowledge is a valuable source of qualitative data, and should be included in management and planning. Fishers have expert knowledge of longline technology and ecological knowledge of the marine environment. This knowledge can provide contextual information useful in interpreting historical fish landings, and it is consistent with published biological data. Combining fisher and scientific knowledge can increase the amount of information available for management. Also, in the absence of scientific data, fisher knowledge can be a reliable data source. Integrating fisher knowledge in management has its challenges, namely poor communication and lack of trust between fishers and the government.;Resilience is a measure of flexibility of the fishery system to changing circumstances and hence a worthwhile objective in fisheries management and planning. In analyzing resilience through cycles of change and reorganization, the study highlights the importance of enhancing resilience by: supporting the reorganization potential of the fishery; improving communication, problem-solving, and participation in decision-making; encouraging grounded response to critical change; and taking a multi-scale response to dealing with change. A resilient system would help support diversity (livelihoods, knowledge), build management based on flexibility and learning, and build capacity to manage and anticipate change.;Qualitative, quantitative, and participatory tools were used for data collection and analysis. Qualitative methods included semi-structured interviews with fishers, community members, and the government. Quantitative methods included a livelihood survey with 169 households. Other techniques included two focus group meetings with staff at the Fisheries Division, and three small group meetings with fishers. Field work was conducted between November 2002 and March 2004.;The study shows that local institutions managing migratory marine commons are faced with two sets of challenges. The first is the sustainability and success of local institutions, and their participation in managing the commons. According to the study, the focus is on the participation of formal institutions in management; however, informal institutions with flexible rule structures essential to adaptive management should be encouraged to participate. Second, management of migratory fish stocks must involve cross-scale linkages between local (community and their institutions), national (the Fisheries Division), and regional/international levels. Such multiple-level management can benefit from institutional interplay. However, there are issues of compatibility and the task of connecting levels.;The research findings in this dissertation concludes by stating that management strategies and the planning process which considers livelihoods issues, fisher knowledge, resilience building, and the participation of local institutions in cross-scale management is likely to lead to improvements in fisheries management. |
