The Galician Seafood Sector, Allies in Conservation

Conservation and the seafood sector are typically viewed as opposing forces, but in Galicia, Spain, they have found hope in a different perspective. For Fundación Lonxanet para la Pesca Sostenible, a Galician NGO, the seafood sector has been an important ally in their work to promote sustainability and conservation.

By Sarah Murray

Fundación Lonxanet

Founded in 2003, Fundación Lonxanet’s primary mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable artisanal fishing. While their focus is on small-scale fishing, the organization has worked on sustainability projects across different scales of fishing and throughout the seafood supply-chain. Their work demonstrates the benefits of viewing the seafood industry as potential allies, rather than enemies.

Marine Reserves of Fishing Interest

Fundación Lonxanet’s effort to promote and facilitate the creation of co-managed Marine Reserves of Fishing Interest (RMIPs) is an example of this perspective in action. RMIPs allow sustainable fishing practices, but restrict fishing methods that are too exploitive or damaging to the ecosystem. In a co-managed RMIP, power is shared between the government and stakeholders (fishermen).

Typically, fishermen are treated as antagonists in conservation efforts and fisheries management – they are mere resource extractors who must be controlled and managed to protect the environment. In Fundación Lonxanet’s approach, the local fishermen are the protagonists. The organization views fishermen as potential stewards of the ocean who have rich knowledge of ecosystems and without whom effective management would be impossible.

Fishermen as Stewards

The view of fishermen as mere resource extractors is based on outdated notions of natural resource management. Although it varies by fishery and fisherman, there is significant scholarly evidence that fishermen value the health of marine ecosystems. For many, the ocean is a way of life, and for all, it is the basis of their livelihoods. These values are especially strong amongst traditional and artisanal fishermen, who have significant ties to specific ecosystems and communities.

For Galician artisanal fishermen, the sinking of the Prestige oil tanker off the coast of Galicia was a key turning point. In the wake of its devastating impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal communities, many fishermen saw that they had an important part to play in the stewardship of the marine environment. They began to demand a greater role in sustainability and management efforts.

The efforts to create RMIPs arose from this increased engagement. In 2003, Fundación Lonxanet began working with fishermen from Lira to create a RMIP, and in 2006, they began the process in Cedeira. A key part to Fundación Lonxanet’s approach is that the idea for the reserves stems from the interest of fishermen. Throughout the process of the creation and management of these co-managed marine reserves, the fishermen are framed as stewards of the ecosystems.

Fishermen’s Knowledge

In typical marine reserves or fisheries management, fishermen’s knowledge is ignored. By excluding fishermen, marine managers and conservationists are missing out on a bounty of valuable information. Fishermen have a rich knowledge of the marine environment – a concept that is well documented in academia, but often ignored or doubted by scientists and managers in the field. Fishermen’s understanding of species life histories, interspecies relationships, and underwater habitats can fill important gaps.

Fundación Lonxanet understands the value of this knowledge. The inclusion of fishermen’s knowledge, mixed with scientific expertise, in the design of these RMIPs sets them apart from other marine reserves. In fact, in Fundación Lonxanet’s approach, fishermen are active participants in designing the reserves and creating management plans. The management plans created with the fishermen were stricter than the regulations imposed by the government and included no-take zones to protect key habitats, based on the fishermen’s knowledge.

Fishermen in Governance

Conventionally, fishermen are the targets of management, people to be controlled. Unfortunately, this approach has led to rampant noncompliance with fisheries regulations and illegal extraction in marine reserves. Research has shown that involving fishermen in management decisions creates better compliance. Because they are involved in the creation of regulations, fishermen “buy-in” to the system more, making them more likely to see the rules as reasonable and more likely to comply.

Co-management is another distinguishing feature of Fundación Lonxanet’s approach. The 2,074 ha “Os Miñarzos” RMIP was established off the coast of Lira in 2007; the 720 ha “Ría de Cedeira” RMIP was established in 2009. Both reserves are jointly managed. In this approach, the marine reserves are governed by an ‘equal management body’ comprised of equal numbers of representatives from the government and the fishing sector. The co-management approach fosters open dialogue and cooperation, while also allowing for greater flexibility and adaptive management.

Fundación Lonxanet’s success stems from their rejection of the common notions about the role of fishermen in conservation and sustainability. By viewing fishermen as allies, they have achieved significant improvements in sustainability and conservation. In addition to the Os Miñarzos and Ría de Cedeira reserves, Fundación Lonxanet has been working with fishermen on a new RMIP proposal. The proposed 100,000 ha Os Miñarzos -Fin da Terra reserve would be a massive expansion on the existing Os Miñarzos reserve.

Sustainability in the Seafood Supply Chain

The opportunities for collaborating with the seafood sector are not limited to the fishing fleet. Working across the seafood supply-chain is not only beneficial, but essential to achieving sustainability and conservation goals. Fundación Lonxanet recognized the need for sustainability approaches that address other parts of the supply chain, and thus created Restauramar.

Restauramar

Restauramar is a network of restaurants and distributors that support sustainable fishing and responsible consumption. Members of the network sign a commitment to a code of ethics. The code emphasizes transparency and responsibility, with attention to food sovereignty, common resource governance, and healthy marine ecosystems. Restaurants and distributors that meet certain social, economic, and environmental sustainability requirements can be certified by Restauramar.

Creating A Sustainable Market

Working with the seafood supply chain beyond the fishing fleet is essential to supporting sustainable fisheries and marine conservation. Restaurants and distributors are significant markets for seafood products. Currently, the majority of restaurants and distributors enable unsustainable fishing by demanding products from overexploited fish stocks or from fishing practices that damage the ecosystem.

However, the power of restaurants and distributors can also be used for good. By demanding products that are socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable, Restauramar members create a market for these goods and an incentive for sustainability.

Raising Awareness with Consumers

The seafood supply chain is an essential link to creating responsible consumers. Restauramar restaurants and distributors offer information on sustainability and the stories behind their fish to their clients.

For consumers that are already concerned with these issues, Restauramar provides an assurance of socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable products. For others, it is an opportunity to create awareness about seafood sustainability issues. Given how much the average Spaniard loves seafood, responsible consumption is an important component of achieving healthy oceans.

By viewing the seafood supply chain as an ally, rather than an opponent, Fundación Lonxanet has created a network of sustainability advocates. A key part of their approach was representing Restauramar as beneficial to the members in addition to the benefits for the greater good. Healthy marine environments are essential for protecting the resources on which these businesses depend. Involvement in Restauramar also provides value-added through branding. In a region bursting with seafood restaurants and distributors, the Restauramar brand is an important opportunity for setting oneself apart.

The work of Fundación Lonxanet demonstrates the untapped potential of collaborating with the seafood sector. While there are often challenges and conflicts, the potential benefits outweigh the cons. The seafood industry is a much-needed ally on the path towards sustainable communities and healthy marine ecosystems.

Sarah is a researcher, writer, photographer, and artist with a lifelong love for the oceans. 

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