Establishing a Blueprint for Sustainable Fishing Communities

Small-scale fishing plays a significant role in sustaining the economies, cultures, and lives of individuals in coastal communities around the world. In recent decades, however, overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution have become major issues that threaten to disrupt the livelihoods of local fisherman and their communities, as well the marine ecosystems that support fishing in these areas. Local fisheries depend on maintaining a delicate balance between humans and the environment, and like many public spaces, have experienced the ‘problem of the commons.’ While international and local government policies have been introduced to promote the development of sustainable fishing practices, they have delivered mixed results. Effectively managing fishing practices to ensure renewal of fish populations and reducing pollution to maintain biodiversity require the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including the local fishing community, government, scientists, business, and nonprofits. The Amorgorama initiative, launched by the Professional Fishing Association of Amorgos, Greece offers a compelling case study of a traditional fishing community that was able to take systematic action to reduce overfishing and pollution with the support of the community, advocacy groups, academics and, ultimately, the Greek government. This paper analyzes the multi-stakeholder, collaborative approach employed by the Amorgos fishing collective to address overfishing and pollution and explores implications for other coastal fishing communities around the world.