Subsistence in coastal fisheries policy: What's in a word?

Consideration of subsistence fishing activities seems particularly relevant to coastal fisheries policy, yet formal recognition of subsistence fishing is often absent from associated policy frameworks. A critical problem is the very meaning of the term "subsistence." A review of the litera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine Policy
Main Authors: Schumann, Sarah, Macinko, Seth
Format: Text
Language:unknown
Published: DigitalCommons@URI 2007
Subjects:
Online Access:https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/maf_facpubs/149
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2006.12.010
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Summary:Consideration of subsistence fishing activities seems particularly relevant to coastal fisheries policy, yet formal recognition of subsistence fishing is often absent from associated policy frameworks. A critical problem is the very meaning of the term "subsistence." A review of the literature on subsistence, dominated until recently by North American research, reveals a schism between interpretations emphasizing material aspects of subsistence and interpretations highlighting cultural aspects. The North American literature on the subject is heavily influenced by a focus on Arctic indigenous populations emphasizing cultural survival. Ultimately, subsistence can be a matter of survival in the belly, the soul, or both. International case studies suggest that different interpretations of subsistence are appropriate in different circumstances, and that appropriate policy can be fashioned only after the local context of subsistence is understood. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.