155
M. Bavinck et al. (eds.), Governability of Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Theory and Applications, MARE Publication Series 7, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6107-0_9,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract Why is poverty such a challenging problem in small-scale fi shing
communities, despite noble efforts to eradicate it? This chapter argues that poverty
requires a governability lens to be understood and effectively alleviated. More
speci fi cally, the chapter uses the interactive governance approach’s three systems
model, i.e., the system-to-be-governed, the governing system and governing interactions, to discuss poverty as a “wicked problem” that involves challenges pertaining to governability. We explore the limits of, and conditions for, governability and
how these affect poverty. Our point of view is shaped by the poverty conditions
prevalent in the fi shing communities of Lake Victoria in Tanzania.
Keywords Governability • Interactive governance • Lake Victoria • Poverty •
Small-scale fi sheries • ‘Wicked problems’
Introduction
Poverty continues to be an issue of global concern. In small-scale fi sheries, it is
often linked to the overexploitation and degradation of fi sheries resources.
Subsequently, the relationship between small-scale fi sheries management and poverty has been a subject of debate and a concern for countries in which these fi sheries
P. Onyango (*)
Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries ,
University of Dar es Salaam , Dar es Salaam , Tanzania
e-mail: onyango.paul@udsm.ac.tz
S. Jentoft
Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics ,
University of Tromsø , Tromsø , Norway
e-mail: svein.jentoft@uit.no
Chapter 9
Poverty in Lake Victorian Fisheries –
Understanding Governability
Paul Onyango and Svein Jentoft
M. Bavinck et al. (eds.), Governability of Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Theory and Applications, MARE Publication Series 7, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6107-0_9,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract Why is poverty such a challenging problem in small-scale fi shing
communities, despite noble efforts to eradicate it? This chapter argues that poverty
requires a governability lens to be understood and effectively alleviated. More
speci fi cally, the chapter uses the interactive governance approach’s three systems
model, i.e., the system-to-be-governed, the governing system and governing interactions, to discuss poverty as a “wicked problem” that involves challenges pertaining to governability. We explore the limits of, and conditions for, governability and
how these affect poverty. Our point of view is shaped by the poverty conditions
prevalent in the fi shing communities of Lake Victoria in Tanzania.
Keywords Governability • Interactive governance • Lake Victoria • Poverty •
Small-scale fi sheries • ‘Wicked problems’
Introduction
Poverty continues to be an issue of global concern. In small-scale fi sheries, it is
often linked to the overexploitation and degradation of fi sheries resources.
Subsequently, the relationship between small-scale fi sheries management and poverty has been a subject of debate and a concern for countries in which these fi sheries
P. Onyango (*)
Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries ,
University of Dar es Salaam , Dar es Salaam , Tanzania
e-mail: onyango.paul@udsm.ac.tz
S. Jentoft
Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics ,
University of Tromsø , Tromsø , Norway
e-mail: svein.jentoft@uit.no
Chapter 9
Poverty in Lake Victorian Fisheries –
Understanding Governability
Paul Onyango and Svein Jentoft