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relatively low and net fishing could be limited to such areas if target species can be found there.
12.3.2 Promote income-generating activities including alternative livelihoods
Strategies that promote occupational changes are often difficult for development projects to implement, particularly among fishers. Fishing fulfills non-
economic satisfactions that can cause fishers to remain in the fishery even when catches and income decline Pollnac, Pomeroy, and Harkes, 1998. It is important for
development policy-makers to understand and address the idea that some fishers may not want to change occupations.
However, there is a good indication that respondents in Mahahual are interested in supplementing at least a part of their fishing with other activities. Ninety-
seven percent of respondents remarked that they would like to see tourism develop in Mahahual, most of which claimed that they would seek employment in tourism. One
key informant remarked “the sea is my love, my passion, but only when she is calm. Today, when it took us five hours to remove the nets from the reef [usually a two hour
job], and the waves were ten feet, I would have preferred to be working in a bar or with tourists, or something where my life is not in danger.”
Alternative income projects should seek to reduce dependence on resource practices that are most degrading to the environment. These programs should also be
tailored for the specific interests of different socioeconomic groups. Stonich 1992, p. 395 claims that income generation programs “must be aimed at increasing the
income-generating activities which comprise the economic strategies of different categories of rural households.”
In Mahahual, poorer respondents perceive themselves as dependent upon fishery resources. Thus, alternative income projects should promote alternatives for
residents engaged in destructive fishing practices, particularly within the poorer segments of the community. By reducing dependence on the coastal resource use
practices that have relatively severe negative effects on the environment, income generating strategies may help relieve pressure from coral reefs and other resources,
and prevent or reduce sea tenure conflicts. However, alternative income strategies should not only seek to change, but also increase sources income for participants.
Chapter eleven indicates that wealth, particularly among poorer segments of the community, must be increased for paradigms of conservation to be adopted. Some
alternative income projects include:
a Aquaculture- There are several aquaculture alternatives that may be
viable, including marine algaeseamoss farming. Please see appendix II for details concerning potential aquaculture ventures.
b Artisan craft making- marine themes were suggested, and creative ideas
utilizing marine shells were demonstrated. This would be especially useful as supplementary income for fishermen. When the weather is bad they
could engage in craft-making or gathering supplies instead of risking their lives at sea or fishing the reef lagoons.
c Tourism guidehospitality industry- Since 97 of the community
surveyed claim that they would be interested in tourism development, this
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will likely be a well received alternative for much of the community. There will be many opportunities in the tourism industry, however, many
respondents believed that their role would be in transporting tourists to dive sites. Transporting tourists to Banco Chinchorro and other dive locations
could be a particularly effective alternative employment strategy for fishermen. This alternative will allow fishermen to utilize their skills at sea
and may fulfill some of the non-economic aspects of job satisfaction that often make fishermen reluctant to leave the fishery and quick to return.
Suggestions for facilitation of this strategy are presented in 12.3.3 b.
12.3.3 Capacity Building a Institutional Strengthening- facilitate community organizations so that
