Punishment and compliance: Exploring scenarios to improve the legitimacy of small-scale fisheries management rules on the Brazilian coast

• Published in: Marine policy Vol. 44; pp. 457 - 464
• Main Authors: Karper, Marjoleine A.M., Lopes, Priscila F.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2014
• Subjects: age; Co-management; crime; enforcement; Fisheries compliance; Fisheries management enforcement; impacts; Marine protected areas; ocean; regulations; resource-management; Sustainable development reserves; Fisheries compliance; Sustainable development reserves; Marine protected areas; Fisheries management enforcement; Co-management
• ISSN: 0308-597X; 1872-9460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2013.10.012

This study investigated the effects of legal and societal punishment on fishermen's compliance behaviour, according to fishermen's age and level of dependency on fisheries, through the use of interviews and scenarios. Ninety-five fishermen living in a coastal park (Ponta do Tubarão Sustainable Development Reserve) in the Brazilian northeast, where controlled exploitation of natural resources is allowed, took part in this study. The results showed that age alone would not affect compliance, regardless of the level of enforcement. However, it was noticed that the fishermen who claimed to depend on the money provided by fisheries, regardless of their age, were more likely to say that they would not comply, even if enforcement were stricter. The scenario analysis showed that increased monitoring and punishment (including societal pressure) could enhance compliance, especially among younger fishermen, who claimed not to depend solely on fisheries. Therefore, fisheries management should also consider differences in social groups, and not focus solely on the enforcement and punishment mechanisms, assuring that livelihood options that consider different social needs are provided. •Age and financial need are investigated as factors possibly affecting small-scale fishers ‘fishers’ compliance on the Brazilian northeast.•Different levels of legal and moral punishment were assessed through scenarios.•A higher level of fisheries dependence was an important determinant of non-compliance and even under stricter punishment scenarios.•Younger fishers, especially part-time ones, would be more likely to comply under stricter legal and moral punishment.•The success of fisheries management could be affected by intra-group social differences and that should be taken into account when devising management measures.