From conflict to coexistence: understanding the socio-ecological mechanisms of fisheries - large marine predators’ conflicts in the Mozambique Channel to identify sustainable solutions – COEXISTENCE

The COEXISTENCE research project addresses the intricate conflicts between fisheries and marine megafauna, with a particular focus on sharks and odontocetes (toothed whales) in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). These conflicts manifest in various forms, ranging from targeted catches for consumption to spatial competition and conflictual access to resource, leading to adverse interactions such as bycatch or depredation, impacting both fishers and megafauna. The study's central objective is to explore the social and ecological mechanisms behind these conflicts, using the acquired knowledge to formulate sustainable solutions that promote coexistence in a region characterized by diverse jurisdictions and fisheries.
Over the past decades, human-wildlife conflicts have intensified globally, presenting a challenge to conserve vulnerable or endangered species while developing sustainable solutions. These conflicts affect multiple facets of marine socio-ecosystems, impacting the economic viability of fishing activities, the livelihoods of fishers, and the conservation of large marine predators and ecosystems. Bycatch and targeted catch have led to the near extinction of several species, while depredation and fish losses have resulted in fishery closures due to insufficient yields.
Despite increasing attention paid to mitigating bycatch and depredation, enduring solutions for coexistence between fisheries and large marine predators remain limited. Additionally, marine predators are targeted by artisanal fisheries for subsistence or illegal markets, especially in developing countries, therefore requiring urgent conservation actions. The movement of marine predators across jurisdictions with varying conservation measures and fishing pressures complicates management efforts in the Western Indian Ocean, hence a need for a pluri-disciplinary approach to address trade-offs between economic viability, species conservation, and ecological system resilience.
The limitations in coexistence solutions stem from fragmented management and research approaches, with separate considerations of socio-economic and ecological aspects. The lack of transdisciplinary efforts and integrated information results in conflicting processes within governance systems, as illustrated by the utilization of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) without a comprehensive understanding of the conflicts. Effective MPAs must consider the ecology and behavior of predator species, their population structure and connectivity, and the perceptions of local communities.
The Mozambique Channel, a crucial habitat for diverse species exploited by various fisheries, is particularly relevant. The project aims to bridge knowledge gaps by improving understanding of ecological and genetic connectivity, social-ecological drivers, and conflicts. Using an integrated transdisciplinary approach, it seeks to develop coexistence solutions, including changes in fishing practices and recommendations for MPAs or other spatial management measures, considering the long-term stability of social-ecological systems.
Structured into four work packages, the project addresses ecological and genetic connectivity, maps and models of conflicts, and proposes integrated solutions. It focuses on odontocetes (killer whales, false killer whales, short-finned pilot whales) involved in depredation conflicts and three shark species (tiger sharks, bull sharks, scalloped hammerhead sharks) vulnerable to various fisheries. The project involves international collaboration with researchers and local actors from France, South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, and the Comoros.
Through fieldwork and collaboration with existing initiatives, COEXISTENCE aims to generate comprehensive, integrated information. This information serves as a toolbox guiding decisions of managers and stakeholders, contributing to sustainable socio-ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean.