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Co-management of small-scale fisheries in the Eastern Mediterranean: Insights and lessons from Türkiye’s Gökova MPA

Krause, Torsten LU ; Kuran, Utku LU and Ünal, Vahdet (2025) In Maritime Studies 24.
Abstract
Overfishing poses a critical threat to marine ecosystems and local coastal communities worldwide. Designation of Marine Protected Areas, particularly those incorporating No-Fishing Zones, act as refuges from the effects of climate and fishing, serve as valuable biodiversity conservation tools for more resilient social-ecological systems. Nevertheless, to be successful in long-term conservation these areas have to be monitored, and rules must be enforced. In this study, we examine collective action efforts for sustainable management of fisheries in Gökova Bay Marine Protected Area, Türkiye by utilizing semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Drawing upon Elinor Ostrom’s social-ecological systems framework and design... (More)
Overfishing poses a critical threat to marine ecosystems and local coastal communities worldwide. Designation of Marine Protected Areas, particularly those incorporating No-Fishing Zones, act as refuges from the effects of climate and fishing, serve as valuable biodiversity conservation tools for more resilient social-ecological systems. Nevertheless, to be successful in long-term conservation these areas have to be monitored, and rules must be enforced. In this study, we examine collective action efforts for sustainable management of fisheries in Gökova Bay Marine Protected Area, Türkiye by utilizing semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Drawing upon Elinor Ostrom’s social-ecological systems framework and design principles, we put emphasis on the challenges and advantages of co-management in a social setting, as well as its potential to enhance marine conservation efforts. Our findings underscore the unsuitability of centralistic, command-and-control type of resource management for Gökova Bay. We highlight the significance of adaptive governance approach among small-scale fishers, government bodies, and non-governmental organizations. However, drawing from the Gökova Case, we assert that effective co-management hinges upon political commitment, alongside the provision of incentives by government authorities to fisheries and development of appropriate government institutions at the local level. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Maritime Studies
volume
24
article number
24
external identifiers
  • scopus:105001429830
ISSN
2212-9790
DOI
10.1007/s40152-025-00410-7
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
0d4a4e7e-ca3e-4430-a0ec-0dc25a0c0a5c
date added to LUP
2025-06-12 13:54:02
date last changed
2025-06-13 04:06:48
@article{0d4a4e7e-ca3e-4430-a0ec-0dc25a0c0a5c,
  abstract     = {{Overfishing poses a critical threat to marine ecosystems and local coastal communities worldwide. Designation of Marine Protected Areas, particularly those incorporating No-Fishing Zones, act as refuges from the effects of climate and fishing, serve as valuable biodiversity conservation tools for more resilient social-ecological systems. Nevertheless, to be successful in long-term conservation these areas have to be monitored, and rules must be enforced. In this study, we examine collective action efforts for sustainable management of fisheries in Gökova Bay Marine Protected Area, Türkiye by utilizing semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Drawing upon Elinor Ostrom’s social-ecological systems framework and design principles, we put emphasis on the challenges and advantages of co-management in a social setting, as well as its potential to enhance marine conservation efforts. Our findings underscore the unsuitability of centralistic, command-and-control type of resource management for Gökova Bay. We highlight the significance of adaptive governance approach among small-scale fishers, government bodies, and non-governmental organizations. However, drawing from the Gökova Case, we assert that effective co-management hinges upon political commitment, alongside the provision of incentives by government authorities to fisheries and development of appropriate government institutions at the local level.}},
  author       = {{Krause, Torsten and Kuran, Utku and Ünal, Vahdet}},
  issn         = {{2212-9790}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{03}},
  series       = {{Maritime Studies}},
  title        = {{Co-management of small-scale fisheries in the Eastern Mediterranean: Insights and lessons from Türkiye’s Gökova MPA}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40152-025-00410-7}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s40152-025-00410-7}},
  volume       = {{24}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}