Sustainable fishing in the Pacific Island nations is faced with a big problem because of illegal fishing and overfishing. The small island nations of the central Pacific have an awful lot of ocean and marine resources and face the problem of illegal fishing and overfishing in their waters. As a result, the eight island nations known as the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries signed an accord in 1982 to control an area of ocean about 40% bigger than the whole of Europe or the USA. Fishing is a major source of economic revenue for the PNA countries, and without it, they would not be able to earn revenue, and this would be a threat for the food security for the Pacific countries.
This case represents the kind of problem that Garrett Hardin referred to in a famous discussion of the "tragedy of the commons". In the case of the PNA countries, the commons are the ocean and its resources, where people get fish and other marine resources. People use their freedom of access to these commons to maximize the marine resources and the fish for their personal economic gains. They resort to unlawful fishing and overfishing which leads to exploitation and pollution of the oceans. In the worst case they can permanently damage the commons – the ‘tragedy’ that Hardin referred to. People need to be aware of the problem and they will consent if they understand the consequence of overfishing as much as they want by their own choice. Hardin thought that communities could not solve the problem and that private ownership or government control was needed. Elinor Ostrom, among others, found many cases where communities were able to solve the problem on their own. More importantly, Elinor Ostrom tried to understand why some people can solve the problem and why some people cannot solve the problem. Ostrom and others started research on the question of when and how the
‘tragedy of the commons’ problem can be solved.
Related to this, the PNA is an important case. The PNA countries faced the same 'tragedy of the commons' problem, but the PNA countries have been more successful in solving it, at least so far. Also, the PNA decided to stop the overfishing of bigeye tuna but instead the delegates discussed the limit of overfishing to be allowed instead of ending it.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 Introduction
Background and Statement of the problem
Purpose, rational and objectives
Significance and expected contribution
CHAPTER 2 Literature review
Literature review
Research Question and Hypothesis
CHAPTER 3 Methods
CHAPTER 4: Results
CHAPTER 5: Discussion
Conclusion
Limitations and Suggestions
Objectives and Research Themes
The primary objective of this research is to analyze the success factors of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) in achieving sustainable tuna fishing within the Pacific region, utilizing Elinor Ostrom’s framework for social-ecological systems.
- Application of the Ostrom framework to PNA fisheries management.
- Identification of core success factors including culture, unity, and strong leadership.
- Evaluation of the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) and technological aid.
- Examination of the role of sub-regional institutional collaboration.
- Assessment of current difficulties and future challenges facing the PNA.
Excerpt from the Book
Chapter 1: Introduction
Sustainable fishing in the Pacific Island nations is faced with a big problem because of illegal fishing and overfishing. The small island nations of the central Pacific have an awful lot of ocean and marine resources and face the problem of illegal fishing and overfishing in their waters. As a result, the eight island nations known as the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries signed an accord in 1982 to control an area of ocean about 40% bigger than the whole of Europe or the USA. Fishing is a major source of economic revenue for the PNA countries, and without it, they would not be able to earn revenue, and this would be a threat for the food security for the Pacific countries.
This case represents the kind of problem that Garrett Hardin referred to in a famous discussion of the “tragedy of the commons” (Hardin, 1968). In the case of the PNA countries, the commons are the ocean and its resources, where people get fish and other marine resources. People use their freedom of access to these commons to maximize the marine resources and the fish for their personal economic gains. They resort to unlawful fishing and overfishing which leads to exploitation and pollution of the oceans. In the worst case they can permanently damage the commons – the ‘tragedy’ that Hardin referred to. People need to be aware of the problem and they will consent if they understand the consequence of overfishing as much as they want by their own choice. Hardin thought that communities could not solve the problem and that private ownership or government control was needed. Elinor Ostrom (1990), among others, found many cases where communities were able to solve the problem on their own. More importantly, Elinor Ostrom tried to understand why some people can solve the problem and why some people cannot solve the problem. Ostrom and others started research on the question of when and how the ‘tragedy of the commons’ problem can be solved.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER 1 Introduction: Provides the background of PNA and frames the research within the context of the tragedy of the commons and Elinor Ostrom’s framework.
CHAPTER 2 Literature review: Examines existing literature on sustainability, tuna fishing depletion, and institutional frameworks for managing common-pool resources.
CHAPTER 3 Methods: Details the qualitative research approach, including the use of questionnaires and interviews to gather data on PNA governance.
CHAPTER 4: Results: Presents the findings regarding the seven success factors of PNA that allow for effective tuna fishery management.
CHAPTER 5: Discussion: Synthesizes the results using Ostrom’s framework and reflects on conclusions and future research suggestions regarding sustainable fishing.
Keywords
Sustainability, Ostrom Framework, Tuna Fisheries, Pacific Ocean, Parties to the Nauru Agreement, PNA, Resource Management, Vessel Day Scheme, Illegal Fishing, Collective Action, Social-Ecological Systems, Fisheries Governance, Skipjack Tuna.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on why the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) have been more successful than other regions in maintaining sustainable tuna fishing, using Elinor Ostrom’s framework as an analytical tool.
Which specific theme is central to this study?
The central theme is the effectiveness of sub-regional cooperation and specific governance tools like the Vessel Day Scheme in managing common-pool marine resources.
What is the primary research objective?
To identify and analyze the variables and factors, such as strong leadership, culture, and technology, that contribute to the PNA's relatively successful performance in sustainable tuna management.
What scientific approach does the paper utilize?
The study employs a qualitative research methodology, utilizing case study analysis, interviews, and secondary data to evaluate PNA success factors under the Ostrom framework.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers institutional history, the mechanics of the PNA fishery management, the role of partner organizations, and current challenges like climate change and market state leverage.
What defines the core set of keywords for this paper?
Keywords reflect the intersection of institutional economics, marine conservation, and specific regional policy instruments, emphasizing Sustainability, PNA, and Ostrom Framework.
How does the PNA Vessel Day Scheme function as a management tool?
The VDS sets an overall Total Allowable Effort (TAE) limit on fishing days in PNA waters, allowing for tradable efforts among member nations to control fishing intensity effectively.
Why is the PNA considered unique in its management of tuna stocks?
Unlike other regions that rely strictly on catch limits, the PNA operates a sub-regional treaty focused on effort distribution, which is easier to monitor and more resistant to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
What are the primary long-term challenges identified by the participants?
Participants highlighted climate change, market leverage from foreign nations, and the need to reduce dependency on outside technical expertise as significant future hurdles.
What role do partner organizations play in the PNA's success?
Organizations like the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Fisheries Forum Agency (FFA) provide essential scientific advice, technical support, and monitoring services that underpin the PNA's management arrangements.
- Quote paper
- Nancy Fulu (Author), 2022, Sustainability Performance of Tuna Fisheries. A Case Study of Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1481625
