27 Sustainable livelihoods: balancing conservation <strong>and</strong> local community needs How can natural resources be sustainably managed <strong>to</strong> benefit livelihood security, improve human health, support community rights <strong>and</strong> aspirations <strong>and</strong> enhance <strong>the</strong> health of protected area ecosystems? Presenters from Ug<strong>and</strong>a, Guinea Bissau, Zambia, United Kingdom <strong>and</strong> Cambodia shared <strong>the</strong>ir experiences, research findings, partnerships <strong>and</strong> innovative practices. Summary of session <strong>and</strong> discussion A radically new approach <strong>to</strong> marine conservation is required. It needs <strong>to</strong> be applied on a large scale <strong>and</strong> it needs <strong>to</strong> deliver quick socio-economic returns. There should be an emphasis on developing livelihood-based catalysts <strong>to</strong> build local engagement in conservation. In order <strong>to</strong> enhance <strong>the</strong> effectiveness of freshwater Fish Conservation Zones, <strong>the</strong>re needs <strong>to</strong> be better acquisition of baseline data <strong>and</strong> a st<strong>and</strong>ardised evaluation methodology developed <strong>to</strong> assess <strong>the</strong> impacts of Fish Conservation Zones on fish populations. The work should be about promoting sustainable livelihoods, ra<strong>the</strong>r than ‘alternative’ livelihoods <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>re needs <strong>to</strong> be a stronger discussion about protected areas <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> food security of communities living in, <strong>and</strong> adjacent <strong>to</strong>, protected areas. Empowering participa<strong>to</strong>ry learning approaches should be used <strong>and</strong> be guided by <strong>the</strong>ories of change. Sharing s<strong>to</strong>ries is <strong>the</strong> most effective strategy for scaling up. Community-<strong>to</strong>-community dialogue is <strong>the</strong> best mechanism <strong>and</strong> is far more effective than peer-reviewed papers. Examples of inspiring solutions include: – In Madagascar, community-based, periodic closures of oc<strong>to</strong>pus fisheries have led <strong>to</strong> dramatic increases in harvests. Starting with a just a few villages, <strong>the</strong> approach has now spread widely – In Ug<strong>and</strong>a, cultivation of chilies has reduced human-wildlife conflict <strong>and</strong> increased income leading <strong>to</strong> a number of additional indirect benefits, such as increased retention of children in school <strong>and</strong> a reduction in domestic violence – The involvement of local communities in moni<strong>to</strong>ring <strong>and</strong> collecting fish data has helped <strong>to</strong> enhance underst<strong>and</strong>ing of Fish Conservation Zones <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir implications in Vietnam. Session manager Tony O’Keefe <strong>and</strong> Akannsha N<strong>and</strong>, IUCN Oceania Regional Office, Fiji Session contribu<strong>to</strong>rs – James Comp<strong>to</strong>n, TRAFFIC International, Asia-Pacific – Aban Marker Kabraji, Asia Regional Direc<strong>to</strong>r IUCN, Malaysia – Alasdair Harris, Blue Ventures, Madagascar - Working holistically for marine conservation; making <strong>the</strong> connections, sustaining real change – Annet K<strong>and</strong>ole, Care International, Ug<strong>and</strong>a - Securing lives of households adjacent <strong>to</strong> protected areas through promotion of chili growing <strong>to</strong> improve food security – Harmony Patricio, Australian Rivers Institute <strong>and</strong> FISHBIO, Australia - Freshwater protected areas in <strong>the</strong> Mekong: conserving species, benefiting people – Helen Schneider, Fauna & Flora International, United Kingdom 66
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