Analysing Informal Governance Arrangements in Small-Scale Fisheries: A Case Study of Norton, Zimbabwe
Many small-scale fisheries (SSF) studies have recognised the importance of this sector. However, in Zimbabwe, limited recognition or policy provisions cater to the SSF. This study used an Interactive Governance Approach to analyse the governance of the Norton SSF and their lived experiences. A total...
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Utrecht University Library Open Access Journals (Publishing Services)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of the Commons |
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| Online Access: | https://account.thecommonsjournal.org/index.php/up-j-ijc/article/view/1401 |
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| author | Tawanda Jimu Samantha Williams Manfred Spocter |
| author_facet | Tawanda Jimu Samantha Williams Manfred Spocter |
| author_sort | Tawanda Jimu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many small-scale fisheries (SSF) studies have recognised the importance of this sector. However, in Zimbabwe, limited recognition or policy provisions cater to the SSF. This study used an Interactive Governance Approach to analyse the governance of the Norton SSF and their lived experiences. A total of 113 respondents were sampled using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected through interviews, focus-group discussions and informal conversations. Secondary sources of data, such as government policy documents were also used. Data were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. The results show that SSF in Zimbabwe is instituted through an overlapping hierarchical, centralised system. This formal centralised system is poorly regulated, and challenges exist when implementing management strategies. As a result, the weak hierarchical arrangements coupled with the economic challenges have led to the emergence of informal fishing, which is dominant and visible in Norton SSF and contributes to local fishing livelihoods. This study calls for participatory and co-management arrangements that could strengthen this sector and formulate policies to guide the SSF sector in Zimbabwe. This study contributes to the emerging literature on SSF governance in Zimbabwe. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e78129b75ff84c95817ea53fbb7e8285 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1875-0281 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Utrecht University Library Open Access Journals (Publishing Services) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of the Commons |
| spelling | doaj-art-e78129b75ff84c95817ea53fbb7e82852025-02-11T05:33:20ZengUtrecht University Library Open Access Journals (Publishing Services)International Journal of the Commons1875-02812025-01-0119135–5035–5010.5334/ijc.14011281Analysing Informal Governance Arrangements in Small-Scale Fisheries: A Case Study of Norton, ZimbabweTawanda Jimu0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4109-6785Samantha Williams1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1415-097XManfred Spocter2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4040-3168Environmental Humanities South, University of Cape TownSchool of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch UniversityDepartment of Geography and Environmental Studies, Stellenbosch UniversityMany small-scale fisheries (SSF) studies have recognised the importance of this sector. However, in Zimbabwe, limited recognition or policy provisions cater to the SSF. This study used an Interactive Governance Approach to analyse the governance of the Norton SSF and their lived experiences. A total of 113 respondents were sampled using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected through interviews, focus-group discussions and informal conversations. Secondary sources of data, such as government policy documents were also used. Data were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. The results show that SSF in Zimbabwe is instituted through an overlapping hierarchical, centralised system. This formal centralised system is poorly regulated, and challenges exist when implementing management strategies. As a result, the weak hierarchical arrangements coupled with the economic challenges have led to the emergence of informal fishing, which is dominant and visible in Norton SSF and contributes to local fishing livelihoods. This study calls for participatory and co-management arrangements that could strengthen this sector and formulate policies to guide the SSF sector in Zimbabwe. This study contributes to the emerging literature on SSF governance in Zimbabwe.https://account.thecommonsjournal.org/index.php/up-j-ijc/article/view/1401co-managementhierarchical governanceinformal fishing arrangementslivelihoodssmall-scale fisheries |
| spellingShingle | Tawanda Jimu Samantha Williams Manfred Spocter Analysing Informal Governance Arrangements in Small-Scale Fisheries: A Case Study of Norton, Zimbabwe International Journal of the Commons co-management hierarchical governance informal fishing arrangements livelihoods small-scale fisheries |
| title | Analysing Informal Governance Arrangements in Small-Scale Fisheries: A Case Study of Norton, Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Analysing Informal Governance Arrangements in Small-Scale Fisheries: A Case Study of Norton, Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Analysing Informal Governance Arrangements in Small-Scale Fisheries: A Case Study of Norton, Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysing Informal Governance Arrangements in Small-Scale Fisheries: A Case Study of Norton, Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Analysing Informal Governance Arrangements in Small-Scale Fisheries: A Case Study of Norton, Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | analysing informal governance arrangements in small scale fisheries a case study of norton zimbabwe |
| topic | co-management hierarchical governance informal fishing arrangements livelihoods small-scale fisheries |
| url | https://account.thecommonsjournal.org/index.php/up-j-ijc/article/view/1401 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tawandajimu analysinginformalgovernancearrangementsinsmallscalefisheriesacasestudyofnortonzimbabwe AT samanthawilliams analysinginformalgovernancearrangementsinsmallscalefisheriesacasestudyofnortonzimbabwe AT manfredspocter analysinginformalgovernancearrangementsinsmallscalefisheriesacasestudyofnortonzimbabwe |