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The Transformation of Fishermen’s Livelihoods in the Context of a Comprehensive Fishing Ban: A Case Study of Datang Village at the Poyang Lake Region, China

Author

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  • Hongzhi Ma

    (School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
    Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China)

  • Yexi Zhong

    (School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
    Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China)

  • Minghui Ou

    (School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
    Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China)

  • Wenhui Wang

    (School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
    Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China)

  • Xinghua Feng

    (School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
    Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China)

Abstract

How fishermen produce and live has been a hot topic of academic concern in recent years. However, existing research has focused excessively on marine fishermen. Inland fisheries make a significant but often overlooked contribution to rural livelihoods in developing countries. In this paper, we constructed a framework for fishermen’s livelihood strategies and used questionnaires and in-depth interviews to study 275 households of inland fishermen in a professional fishing village at Poyang Lake. The results show that (1) the impact of the comprehensive fishing ban has led to significant changes in the livelihood capital of inland fishermen, leading to fishermen being forced to change their livelihood strategies. (2) The current livelihood strategies can be divided into four categories, which are non-fishing employment, self-employment, public welfare positions and retirement respectively. (3) Livelihood capital such as age, education, social interaction and fishing rights influence their choice of livelihood strategies. (4) The fishing ban proposal generally meets the interests of fishermen, but there is some capacity for improvement in terms of implementation details and policy flexibility. Based on these findings, we recommend that the government conducts further in-depth research and adjusts and improves its policy options in good time. To the satisfaction of all parties, the current policy protects the environment and achieves sustainable human development, making Chinese contributions and proposing Chinese plans to address global environmental change.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongzhi Ma & Yexi Zhong & Minghui Ou & Wenhui Wang & Xinghua Feng, 2022. "The Transformation of Fishermen’s Livelihoods in the Context of a Comprehensive Fishing Ban: A Case Study of Datang Village at the Poyang Lake Region, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:12:p:2262-:d:999916
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    References listed on IDEAS

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