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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Human dimensions in shellcraft: tool ownership differentiates taxa utilised and products produced
Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.11, pp.1-14
2024
Abstract
Throughout the Pacific Islands, shellcraft has begun to feature prominently in development intervention which aims to generate positive livelihood outcomes for coastal communities. This activity often involves the post-harvest processing of natural assets, namely shells and skeletal remains of marine taxa, into jewellery by individuals or small-sized enterprises. To foster participation in shellcraft, development intervention commonly involves gifting or subsidising physical assets. Yet knowledge of the natural (i.e., taxa) and physical (i.e., tools) assets required for shellcraft remains scant. An understanding of human dimensions in shellcraft pertaining to patterns in asset use, such as how tool ownership differentiates taxa utilised and products produced, is important for determining if access to a specific tool is necessary, or an encumbrance, for achieving a desired outcome. In this study, we identified tools used and variation in tool ownership among artisans engaged in shellcraft to afford an accurate and realistic understanding of the tools required to participate in this activity. We then evaluate how ownership of a specific tool or type of tool differentiates both taxa utilisation and product production for shellcraft. Results indicate ownership of neither all nor any specific tool was required to participate in shellcraft, with artisans typically owning a unique combination of tools. Furthermore, results identified that some specific tools were critical for affecting the attractiveness of utilising certain taxa and products. Implications of the significant relationships between specific tools and certain taxa or products are discussed in the context of development intervention and commonly articulated theories of change where shellcraft is linked to subsistence fishing, aquaculture, or tourism.
Details
- Title
- Human dimensions in shellcraft: tool ownership differentiates taxa utilised and products produced
- Authors
- Thane Militz (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands ResearchNittya Simard - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringJeff Kinch - National Fisheries AuthorityPaul C Southgate - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research
- Publication details
- Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.11, pp.1-14
- Publisher
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.3389/fmars.2024.1354163
- ISSN
- 2296-7745
- Copyright note
- © 2024 Militz, Simard, Kinch and Southgate. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
- Data Availability
- The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.
- 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
- 991042796302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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