- Title
- Livelihood implications of a possible Ramsar declaration of the Swartkops estuary, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Creator
- Vembo, Glen Muchengeti
- ThesisAdvisor
- Thandhlana, Gladman
- ThesisAdvisor
- Cundill-Kemp, Georgina
- Subject
- Uncatalogued
- Date
- 2020
- Type
- thesis
- Type
- text
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- MSc
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164715
- Identifier
- vital:41157
- Description
- Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2020
- Description
- Estuaries are key ecosystem resources but are increasingly coming under threat from human activities which requires their protection. However, livelihood implications resulting from a change in management of natural resources need to be anticipated and factored in conservation planning. The Swartkops estuary in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is currently ‘open access’ but there are plans to protect it through a Ramsar declaration. Using household surveys and key informant interview, this study examines the direct and indirect uses of the Swartkops estuary, perceptions held towards state and management of that estuary, and future visions held by different users of the estuary, as a basis for informing future management options. One hundred and forty people were surveyed using a questionnaire, consisting of both closed- and open-ended questions. Of this sample, 47 respondents were direct users and 93 household survey respondents, chosen from neighbouring residential areas. Overall, the findings suggest multiple uses of the estuary. Subsistence fishing and selling of bait organisms were key livelihood sources, providing cash income, supplementing dietary requirements and in some instances satisfying cultural values attached to the natural resources in the Swartkops estuary, especially for the poor. The well-off respondents tended to value the estuary for its recreational functions like boating and fishing. Perceived threats to the estuary included lack of visible management and clear policing of natural resources management but these were mainly cited by the more affluent users. Disservices of the estuary mentioned include breeding of mosquitos, drowning and a perceived crime hotspot. Concerning views for the future, improved management of the estuary was consistent between user groups, whilst a potential Ramsar declaration gained majority support. As expected, future visions were proposed with varied expected benefits, with results suggesting the wealthier user groups more concerned about conserving the ecological aspect of the Swartkops. However, due to limited livelihood opportunities, lower income user groups expected an improvement of their livelihoods, including continued access to natural resources in the Swartkops estuary. Such access would be important for crafting novel interventions that could reduce conflict levels between conservation agencies and local communities and in a broader sense; improve the relationship between the state and its citizens. This study concludes that any conservation proposition that advocates for restriction or limited use of natural resources without providing alternative livelihood options will be faced with difficulty. Consequently, the study proposes a pro-poor approach; whereby marginalised communities are supported with capacity building to make decisions and are integrated in any proposed conservation plans for the estuary.
- Format
- computer, online resource, application/pdf, 1 online resource (156 pages)
- Publisher
- Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Environmental Science
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Vembo, Glen Muchengeti
- Rights
- Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons "Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike" License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/)
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | VEMBO-MSC-TR20-190.pdf | 2 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |