Introduction A study of two different scales

55 6 Discussion and conclusion

6.1 Introduction

In this thesis I use the case of the BSC FIP to examine the capacity of FIPs to lead to improvement on different scales of the fishery, taking into account the capturing and processing of information of actors within the value chain. I have shown that the flows of information through the value chain and the perceptions on improvement are influenced by local trade relations. The study indicates that difficulties in compliance with fisheries management measures can arise when local trade relations and practices are not taken into account in defining and implementing the measures. First, the most important conclusions of this study will be repeated in section 6.2. In that section the descriptive part of the two sub-questions asked in this study chapter 1.3 will be answered. Thereafter, the connection to the conceptual framework will be made in which will be elaborated on the analytical parts of the sub-questions. Then the implications for the conceptual framework and the general concepts of FIPs will be discussed, followed by the final conclusion of this report in which the main question of this study will be answered.

6.2 A study of two different scales

For this research, a case study was conducted on the Indonesian BSC FIP by focussing on two scales of the BSC fishery. Studying these two scales included looking at both the fisheries management system and the implementation of this system on the local level. It enabled identifying the linkages between both scales and the influence of the linkages on the effectiveness of the FIP management. The linkages between the scales were studied through the information flow from the fisheries management system down to the fishers via the different actors in the crab value chain. The design of this study enabled showing that the flow of information and the processing of information were influenced by the production and trade relations between actors within the value chain in detail. Chapters 4 and 5 followed the division of this study in the scale of the BSC FIP participants and the local fishers. First, the global scale of BSC FIP participants was studied and how they defined objectives towards improvement. Second, the implementation of the BSC FIP was studied on a local scale of BSC fishers, collectors and to lesser extent mini-plants in Betahwalang, an Indonesian fishing village in Central Java, in order to identify the occurrence of change. Combined, the findings of these chapters can give an indication of the effectiveness of the BSC FIP and how that is influenced by the information flow through the value chain and by differing perceptions among actors within and outside the value chain. In chapter 4, I concluded that the definition of the BSC FIP objectives is based on a global network of actors, demands, standards and information, because of three reasons. First, the BSC FIP has a global character due to the scale on which the BSC FIP participants act; they act on either a national or international level and are stimulated by the international market to work towards a more sustainable fishery, following the globally defined MSC principles Figure 4.1. Second, the BSC FIP participants defined improvement as becoming a sustainable business for now and in the future, but they did not formulate clear, measurable indicators of improvement, neither for the global level, nor for the local level or for the resource. Third, the measures taken in the BSC FIP are based on other, international cases in an environment of scientific uncertainty and lack of governmental support. 56 Together, these three aspects underline the global trade network the BSC FIP participants act in towards achieving improvement. Therefore, it can be concluded that the BSC FIP objectives were based on information from international fisheries and on global demands and standards. Why this specific information was used, will be elaborated on in the next section. From the case study in Betahwalang, I concluded that the practices of actors in the fishing village have not changed due to the BSC FIP. The trade relations, especially the existence of economic incentives, hampered a change of practices. The berried female measure was not effective, because fishers were motivated to catch them due to their positive effect on the yield. The minimum size measure was already in force in Betahwalang before the start of the BSC FIP and therefore the minimum size measure could not change the fishers’ practices. It can be concluded that the BSC FIP had no effect on the practices of actors in the crab value chain in Betahwalang. The information that was used to base the measure on was the lowest size that processors want to purchase. Therefore, putting back undersized crabs was already common practices. The role of the information flow and perception in this process of change will be elaborated on now.

6.3 Extending the link to the conceptual framework