Open AccessLocal disconnects in global discourses—The unintended consequences of marine mammal protection on small‐scale fishers
Author(s) -
Davis Katrina J.,
AlfaroShigueto Joanna,
Arlidge William N.S.,
Burton Michael,
Mangel Jeffrey C.,
Mills Morena,
MilnerGulland E.J.,
PalmaDuque José,
RomerodeDiego Cristina,
Gelcich Stefan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12835
Subject(s) - human–wildlife conflict , wildlife , geography , marine mammal , unintended consequences , marine protected area , fishery , sea lion , scale (ratio) , wildlife management , environmental resource management , marine conservation , ecology , political science , biology , habitat , environmental science , cartography , law
Global commitments prioritize protection of wildlife and improvements to human wellbeing. Local disconnects in these commitments are rarely acknowledged—or their implications assessed—preventing the development of effective solutions. National and international efforts to protect marine mammals along South America's west coast have contributed to species recovery, but also to conflict between sea lions and small‐scale fisheries. To understand the concerns ultimately motivating this conflict, we assessed how 301 coastal small‐scale fishers perceive their interactions with South American sea lions ( Otaria flavescens ). We then reviewed the terrestrial human–wildlife literature to identify potential management solutions to resolve the conflict. We find that fishers are chiefly concerned with increases in sea lion populations, perceive that sea lion interactions have significantly increased over the past 80 years, and report sea lion‐driven catch and income losses of ≥26%. We propose solutions to manage conflict that are sensitive to heterogeneity among fisher groups.