Exploring Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies using I-ADApT Framework for Understanding Vulnerabilities and Responses to Global Changes in Small-Scale Fisheries

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) support over 90 percent of the 120 million people engaged in capture fisheries globally (FAO, 2020) but are facing multifaceted vulnerabilities due to global change impacts. Despite vulnerabilities, the SSF communities do possess certain strengths that enable them to respond to the vulnerabilities. However, these strengths and capacities are poorly understood. The Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) concept focuses on examining the inherent capabilities of the small-scale fisheries communities to build resilience through short-term and long-term responses. Though Vulnerability to Viability is a critical area of study in terms of achieving sustainability of the small-scale fisheries, there is an absence of methodological approaches to study SSF vulnerabilities and their responses using multiple case studies. The main aim of this research is to explore quantitative and qualitative data analysis approaches using the I-ADApT framework to understand the similarities and differences between small-scale fisheries case studies, compare the case studies in terms of vulnerabilities faced by small-scale fisheries communities, governability conditions, societal and governing responses, and appraisal of the responses, and develop a typology of the case studies based on secondary data collected using I-ADApT templates. I-ADApT is a research and decision-support tool that can be used for understanding the vulnerabilities and responses to global change. The data from twenty-nine small-scale fisheries social-ecological systems, representing nineteen different geographical locations, was used in quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis included twenty-eight I-ADApT case studies.

The quantitative and qualitative data assessment methods employed in this research were multivariate analysis (multiple factor analysis (MFA) and hierarchical clustering (HC)) in R-Studio and thematic-content analysis in NVIVO, respectively. Hierarchical clustering (HC) on multiple factor analysis (MFA) conducted in this research was highly useful to simplify a complex set of variables and identify key variables that were most common in all the case studies. These methods were also crucial in grouping the case studies to form clusters of case studies that shared similar properties. Thematic-content analysis in this research enabled the identification of the actual vulnerabilities, social and governing responses, their enabling factors, and those that are preventing the social and governing responses. Both quantitative and qualitative data assessment methods were effective in the study of transition of small-scale fisheries from vulnerability to viability. Both methodologies were explored as proof-of-concept and can be employed in future research considering a greater number of case studies. The I-ADApT framework was an important tool that facilitated the development of a consistent methodology for use in research focusing on small-scale fisheries social-ecological system. This research highlights the importance of using both qualitative and quantitative research methods in the study of small-scale fisheries.

Apart from methodological innovation, the results of this research will inform the decision-makers, managers, and a crosssection of stakeholders to manage small-scale fisheries more effectively by understanding the vulnerabilities and developing response strategies. In doing so, the critical contribution of this research is the dedicated focus on learning from small-scale fisheries community experiences of vulnerabilities and possible pathways towards their viability through the use of place-based case studies.