Dissertation
Investigating small-scale fisheries supporting shellcraft in Papua New Guinea
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00845
Abstract
Molluscs play an important role in coastal livelihoods within the Indo-Pacific region by supporting fisheries and value-adding activities that are embedded within international and local trade networks. Mother-of-pearl (MoP) fisheries from the region provide over half of the global supply of MoP. Because of long-term, sustained exploitation of MoP and a reliance on international markets, however, coastal livelihoods dependent on MoP are vulnerable to both declining trends and sudden unexpected disturbances (i.e., shocks). Recently, shellcraft which processes marine resources, such as MoP, shells, and skeletal remains of other marine species, into hybrid crafts has become an increasingly important source of income for coastal households. Livelihood development intervention is increasingly focused on shellcraft, which has provided numerous socio-economic benefits for coastal communities in the region, including women’s empowerment. Despite this, in areas where shellcraft is dependent on a fishery, the environmental sustainability of these activities is uncertain because information related to species diversity, habitat fished, and stocks of targeted resources is limited. Molluscs are a versatile resource, because, as well as their shells being used for income generating activities such as MoP exports and shellcraft, their meat provides a source of protein to coastal households. There is, however, a poor understanding on such small-scale fisheries production systems that have interconnected activities like the MoP fishery and export, shellcraft and its fishery, mollusc consumption. There is a need to research historic, economic, social, and ecological dimensions relevant to these activities because such information can assist the fisheries and international development sectors in PNG and potentially in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Details
- Title
- Investigating small-scale fisheries supporting shellcraft in Papua New Guinea
- Authors
- Nittya S M Simard - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Contributors
- Paul C Southgate (Principal Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands ResearchPatrick Nunn (Co-Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00845
- Grants
- Developing pearl industry based livelihoods in the Western Pacific, FIS/2014/060, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (Australia, Canberra) - ACIAR
- Organisation Unit
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991026296902621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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