67
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_5,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract As a study of how fi shers make a living, livelihoods analysis is a core
interest for fi sheries governability. An understanding of the employment that
fi sheries provide, the livelihoods strategies that fi shers pursue, and the sense of wellbeing that fi shers derive from and associate with their ways of making a living is
essential for policy that works to support fi sheries. Given the diversity, complexity,
dynamics and scale dimensions of livelihoods in fi sheries, however, the translation
of that understanding into policy is a wicked problem. This chapter argues for fi ve
reference principles that respond to the wickedness of livelihood governability:
inclusion, re fl exivity, attention to particularity, fostering adaptive capacity, precaution,
and social justice.
Keywords Livelihoods • Employment • Wellbeing • Wicked problems • Principles
Introduction
Popular images of fi shing commonly evoke romantic notions of fi shers’ livelihoods:
fi shermen in sou’westers hauling in gear on slippery decks in horrible weather;
lithe, muscular men pushing off their catamarans through heavy surf; and, sometimes, foul mouthed fi sh mammies bargaining hard over the price of their fi sh. These
and innumerable other more mundane tasks are central to the material world of
fi shers’ livelihoods. They also hint, however, at how the realities of making a living
D. Johnson (*)
Department of Anthropology , University of Manitoba ,
Winnipeg , MB , Canada
e-mail: derek_johnson@umanitoba.ca
Chapter 5
Livelihoods in the Context of Fisheries –
A Governability Challenge
Derek Johnson
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_5,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract As a study of how fi shers make a living, livelihoods analysis is a core
interest for fi sheries governability. An understanding of the employment that
fi sheries provide, the livelihoods strategies that fi shers pursue, and the sense of wellbeing that fi shers derive from and associate with their ways of making a living is
essential for policy that works to support fi sheries. Given the diversity, complexity,
dynamics and scale dimensions of livelihoods in fi sheries, however, the translation
of that understanding into policy is a wicked problem. This chapter argues for fi ve
reference principles that respond to the wickedness of livelihood governability:
inclusion, re fl exivity, attention to particularity, fostering adaptive capacity, precaution,
and social justice.
Keywords Livelihoods • Employment • Wellbeing • Wicked problems • Principles
Introduction
Popular images of fi shing commonly evoke romantic notions of fi shers’ livelihoods:
fi shermen in sou’westers hauling in gear on slippery decks in horrible weather;
lithe, muscular men pushing off their catamarans through heavy surf; and, sometimes, foul mouthed fi sh mammies bargaining hard over the price of their fi sh. These
and innumerable other more mundane tasks are central to the material world of
fi shers’ livelihoods. They also hint, however, at how the realities of making a living
D. Johnson (*)
Department of Anthropology , University of Manitoba ,
Winnipeg , MB , Canada
e-mail: derek_johnson@umanitoba.ca
Chapter 5
Livelihoods in the Context of Fisheries –
A Governability Challenge
Derek Johnson