296
A. Song and R. Chuenpagdee
resource-dependent group in the SEA. This would be an important policy addition
aimed at raising the level of inclination towards fi sheries conservation over time and
encouraging self-driven restraint in illegal fi shing, especially given that the resource
users surveyed in this study are already well-equipped with adequate conservation
knowledge. In the process, we hope that the overall illegal fi shing problem in Lake
Malawi will move towards a resolution.
Conclusion
In this chapter we argued that illegal fi shing may be exacerbated by the diversity
of values, images and principles that people hold. An examination of such underlying concepts could therefore help generate meaningful insights about the ways
illegal fi shing could be lessened. Taking a cue from the relativistic nature of values,
images and principles – conceived as each competing against many other values,
images and principles one holds in a given situation – ecosystem conservation
value was examined in detail to determine its standing vis-à-vis other values
deemed to be associated with the practice of illegal fi shing. The emphasis was laid
on showcasing one possible tool that can be employed to gauge people’s values
through elicitation of judgments and preferences. The case study of a Lake Malawi
fi shery, in which illegal fi shing and non-compliance has been a pressing issue for
many years, has shown that despite the general concurrence in the conservation
knowledge of all stakeholder groups interviewed – especially between resource
users and governors – the degree to which they attach importance to conservation
and other values is signi fi cantly different and, subsequently, indicates a plausible
source for the persistence of illegal fi shing. Such a result has an in fl uence on
governability. It requires empathy and higher appreciation of each other’s standpoints in minimizing controversy and dissatisfaction. It also puts a limit on the
overall governability of the fi sheries by narrowing the range of workable agendas
and demanding more creativity in governance. It is thus important that governors
are made sensitive to the levels of governability and its potential sources. This
chapter highlighted that one of the confounding elements giving rise to the governability problem is the deep-seated diversity of the socio-economic system founded
on more durable and fundamental values, images and principles. Focusing on
these underlying concepts to explore and improve governability presents an
intriguing direction worthy of further elaboration and empirical testing. With the
right tools and their continuing re fi nement, however, the effort should receive
timely assistance.
Acknowledgements Support for this research was provided by the Social Sciences and
Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and a partnership between the Association of
Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA) (Project No. S61268-528/I). Authors would like to acknowledge numerous in-kind support
of the Marine Institute (MI) and the Department of Fisheries (DoF) of Malawi.
A. Song and R. Chuenpagdee
resource-dependent group in the SEA. This would be an important policy addition
aimed at raising the level of inclination towards fi sheries conservation over time and
encouraging self-driven restraint in illegal fi shing, especially given that the resource
users surveyed in this study are already well-equipped with adequate conservation
knowledge. In the process, we hope that the overall illegal fi shing problem in Lake
Malawi will move towards a resolution.
Conclusion
In this chapter we argued that illegal fi shing may be exacerbated by the diversity
of values, images and principles that people hold. An examination of such underlying concepts could therefore help generate meaningful insights about the ways
illegal fi shing could be lessened. Taking a cue from the relativistic nature of values,
images and principles – conceived as each competing against many other values,
images and principles one holds in a given situation – ecosystem conservation
value was examined in detail to determine its standing vis-à-vis other values
deemed to be associated with the practice of illegal fi shing. The emphasis was laid
on showcasing one possible tool that can be employed to gauge people’s values
through elicitation of judgments and preferences. The case study of a Lake Malawi
fi shery, in which illegal fi shing and non-compliance has been a pressing issue for
many years, has shown that despite the general concurrence in the conservation
knowledge of all stakeholder groups interviewed – especially between resource
users and governors – the degree to which they attach importance to conservation
and other values is signi fi cantly different and, subsequently, indicates a plausible
source for the persistence of illegal fi shing. Such a result has an in fl uence on
governability. It requires empathy and higher appreciation of each other’s standpoints in minimizing controversy and dissatisfaction. It also puts a limit on the
overall governability of the fi sheries by narrowing the range of workable agendas
and demanding more creativity in governance. It is thus important that governors
are made sensitive to the levels of governability and its potential sources. This
chapter highlighted that one of the confounding elements giving rise to the governability problem is the deep-seated diversity of the socio-economic system founded
on more durable and fundamental values, images and principles. Focusing on
these underlying concepts to explore and improve governability presents an
intriguing direction worthy of further elaboration and empirical testing. With the
right tools and their continuing re fi nement, however, the effort should receive
timely assistance.
Acknowledgements Support for this research was provided by the Social Sciences and
Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and a partnership between the Association of
Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA) (Project No. S61268-528/I). Authors would like to acknowledge numerous in-kind support
of the Marine Institute (MI) and the Department of Fisheries (DoF) of Malawi.