Transition pathways from vulnerability to viability of small-scale fisheries in Africa and Asia
Issued Date
2026-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
25758314
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105035184947
Journal Title
People and Nature
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
People and Nature (2026)
Suggested Citation
Muhl E.K., Armitage D., Nayak P.K., Pradhan S., Abdelbaset M., Aheto D., Adade R., Akintola S.L., Arizi E.K., Attipoe E., Blythe J., Bundy A., Chuenpagdee R., Choudry A., Das B.K., Devi C., Fakoya K., Hara M., Hossain S., Isaacs M., Islam G.M.N., Islam M.M., Kusumawardhani H.A., Junrashote K., Li Y., Manase M., Mbaye A.A., Kosamu I., Mukherjee J., Namikawa T., Njaya F., Odoi J., Prado D., Rahman E., Rouhani Q., Alam M.R.S., Sall A., Sambou C., Sammogam R., Sarr A., Sarr K.Y., Satumanatpan S., Selim S.A., Susilowati I., Warren V., Woiso J.F., Yahya B.M. Transition pathways from vulnerability to viability of small-scale fisheries in Africa and Asia. People and Nature (2026). doi:10.1002/pan3.70305 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116209
Title
Transition pathways from vulnerability to viability of small-scale fisheries in Africa and Asia
Author(s)
Muhl E.K.
Armitage D.
Nayak P.K.
Pradhan S.
Abdelbaset M.
Aheto D.
Adade R.
Akintola S.L.
Arizi E.K.
Attipoe E.
Blythe J.
Bundy A.
Chuenpagdee R.
Choudry A.
Das B.K.
Devi C.
Fakoya K.
Hara M.
Hossain S.
Isaacs M.
Islam G.M.N.
Islam M.M.
Kusumawardhani H.A.
Junrashote K.
Li Y.
Manase M.
Mbaye A.A.
Kosamu I.
Mukherjee J.
Namikawa T.
Njaya F.
Odoi J.
Prado D.
Rahman E.
Rouhani Q.
Alam M.R.S.
Sall A.
Sambou C.
Sammogam R.
Sarr A.
Sarr K.Y.
Satumanatpan S.
Selim S.A.
Susilowati I.
Warren V.
Woiso J.F.
Yahya B.M.
Armitage D.
Nayak P.K.
Pradhan S.
Abdelbaset M.
Aheto D.
Adade R.
Akintola S.L.
Arizi E.K.
Attipoe E.
Blythe J.
Bundy A.
Chuenpagdee R.
Choudry A.
Das B.K.
Devi C.
Fakoya K.
Hara M.
Hossain S.
Isaacs M.
Islam G.M.N.
Islam M.M.
Kusumawardhani H.A.
Junrashote K.
Li Y.
Manase M.
Mbaye A.A.
Kosamu I.
Mukherjee J.
Namikawa T.
Njaya F.
Odoi J.
Prado D.
Rahman E.
Rouhani Q.
Alam M.R.S.
Sall A.
Sambou C.
Sammogam R.
Sarr A.
Sarr K.Y.
Satumanatpan S.
Selim S.A.
Susilowati I.
Warren V.
Woiso J.F.
Yahya B.M.
Author's Affiliation
University of Waterloo
Universidade Federal de São Paulo
Mahidol University
Stellenbosch University
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Tokai University
University of the Western Cape
Universitas Diponegoro
Brock University
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Rhodes University
The World Bank, USA
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar
University of Dar es Salaam
University of Cape Coast Ghana
University of Malawi
Lagos State University
Sylhet Agricultural University
ICAR - Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences
Universiti Tun Abdul Razak
WWF Malaysia
Government of Malawi
Centre de Recherche pour le Développement des Technologies Intermédiaires de Pêche (CREDITIP)
Universidade Federal de São Paulo
Mahidol University
Stellenbosch University
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Tokai University
University of the Western Cape
Universitas Diponegoro
Brock University
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Rhodes University
The World Bank, USA
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar
University of Dar es Salaam
University of Cape Coast Ghana
University of Malawi
Lagos State University
Sylhet Agricultural University
ICAR - Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences
Universiti Tun Abdul Razak
WWF Malaysia
Government of Malawi
Centre de Recherche pour le Développement des Technologies Intermédiaires de Pêche (CREDITIP)
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
This perspective paper examines transition pathways that move small-scale fisheries from vulnerability towards viability. We understand ‘vulnerability to viability transition pathways’ as integrative and one that extends beyond economic concerns to include social, political, cultural and ecological aspects of small-scale fisheries. Our findings draw on a reflexive and qualitative assessment of country-specific case studies from across Africa and Asia to collaboratively identify transition pathways reflected in these contexts. Common pathways that emerged included: (1) building governance networks and partnerships; (2) centring small-scale fisheries tenure and rights; (3) advancing a gender and intersectional perspective on viability pathways; (4) enhancing opportunities for ecologically sensitive and diversified livelihoods; and (5) co-creating and co-producing the knowledge required to catalyse transition pathways. Outcomes of this analysis provide context-specific foundations upon which to further co-develop a research agenda on small-scale fisheries vulnerability to viability transitions. Insights from this analysis also contribute to the identification of the transdisciplinary capacities needed to build more viable and resilient small-scale fisheries in the context of ongoing debates about blue economy expansion, and in relation to country-level commitments to implement provisions of the FAO small-scale fisheries guidelines. In advancing a vulnerability to viability pathways lens, this paper frames small-scale fisheries transitions as governance-mediated, justice-oriented, relational and inherently non-linear processes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.