Scholar-activist transdisciplinary research praxis for blue justice in South Africa: perspectives from the South African Coastal Justice Network scholar-activist archive
- Authors: Pereira-Kaplan, Taryn Leigh
- Date: 2025-04-03
- Subjects: Student movements South Africa , Environmental justice , Ocean governance , Blue justice , Small-scale fisheries South Africa , Interdisciplinary research
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480095 , vital:78396 , DOI 10.21504/10962/480095
- Description: This PhD thesis is an applied study on the research praxis of transdisciplinary (TD) scholar-activists contributing to social movements for environmental justice on the coasts and in the oceans (‘blue justice’). I wrote this thesis from my position as the coordinator of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), which is a component of the Global Challenge Research Fund One Ocean Hub’s TD ocean governance programme. The CJN is a grouping of South African TD scholar-activists working collaboratively in processes of knowledge co-production with small-scale fishers (SSFs) and other coastal communities. These SSFs are leading resistances to blue injustice from the margins of ocean governance. Within a solidarity and environmental justice orientation to TD ocean research, CJN researchers and SSFs have responded together to a wide range of blue justice issues between 2020 and 2024 and, in doing so, have co-generated an activist archive. This thesis draws on the activist archive to surface core practices and priorities for research that contribute to movements for blue justice. The study was developed as a PhD portfolio through five papers, with an introduction and conclusion. The main aim of this study was to explore dimensions of scholar-activist TD research praxis and associated contributions to advancing blue justice in transformative ocean governance. In doing this, it sought to address some of the gaps in blue justice TD research, most notably the need for a deeper understanding of how to centre the voices and contributions of those most affected by environmental justice concerns. It also addresses the role of scholar-activist researchers practised as a form of political solidarity and reflexive co-engagement. The main research question is: How can scholar-activist transdisciplinary research praxis contribute to advancing blue justice in transformative ocean governance in South Africa? Methodologically, the study uses a form of activist ethnography, which is a scholar-activist methodology that includes an explicit political commitment to engagement and to generating knowledge for activism purposes. Methods within activist ethnographic research include participant and self-observation, critically reflexive “thick” descriptions of context and practice, interviews and conversations, direct political actions with activist partners and facilitation of mutual learning. At the centre of this work is the co-constructed scholar-activist archive, which offers a record of four years of such TD scholar-activist praxis. This thesis and the papers presented as part of the thesis all draw on the co-produced scholar-activist archive constructed out of the social movement work of the SSFs in collaboration with CJN researcher’s TD scholar-activist research praxis over four years, representing the type of activist ethnography referred to above. Compiling and organising the archive was one important level of analytical/synthesis work I undertook. I also drew on the archive to make visible key facets of blue justice work and reflected on this, making up three different levels of analytical work with the archive: 1) Constructing and organising the archive, 2) Selection of key foci in the archive, and 3) Meta-reflections. Through this approach, I address the main research question via four sub-questions, each the focus of a paper in this PhD by publication. Why is there a need to advance scholar-activist TD practice in transformative ocean governance research? This question is addressed in Paper 1 (Chapter 2 of this thesis). How can scholar-activists in blue justice support just and inclusive views of ocean governance? This question is addressed in Paper 2 (Chapter 3 of the thesis). What methods in blue justice research enable plural knowledges and perspectives for co-engagement? This question is addressed in Paper 3 (Chapter 4 of the thesis). How is blue justice resistance expressed and acknowledged as a key feature of inclusive ocean governance? This question is addressed in Paper 4 (Chapter 5 of the thesis). What emerges as key lessons for scholar-activist TD researchers in blue justice? This question is addressed in Paper 5 (Chapter 6 of the thesis) and in the meta-reflection in Chapter 7. The thesis as a whole offers: 1. Identification of a core practice, centred on “transformative space making” for care- ful, responsive and reflexive solidarity networks – ‘net-work’ – that allows community-based activists and social movements to leverage the kinds of research support they need when they need it. 2. Insight into participatory ocean governance and socially just ocean protection, practised through an ‘agonistic’ and counter-hegemonic knowledge co-production emergent from this form of TD scholar-activism. 3. Methods and guidance for these practices, with specific emphasis on agonistically plural and inclusive methods of blue resistance. 4. Insights into the positionality and ethical tensions of TD scholar-activist researchers. The study offers an empirical case of how a CJN, through TD scholar-activist praxis, can contribute to blue resistance and blue justice. The reflective chapter (Chapter 7) shows that this type of TD scholar-activist praxis is not without challenges and limitations; through a reflexive review of these, the study offers direction for further research. It also points to the roles of scholar-activists working in solidarity with SSFs in pursuit of blue justice. Overall, the thesis offers an orientation for TD researchers interested in aligning their research praxis with social movements working in counter-hegemonic ways for environmental justice. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-03
- Authors: Pereira-Kaplan, Taryn Leigh
- Date: 2025-04-03
- Subjects: Student movements South Africa , Environmental justice , Ocean governance , Blue justice , Small-scale fisheries South Africa , Interdisciplinary research
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480095 , vital:78396 , DOI 10.21504/10962/480095
- Description: This PhD thesis is an applied study on the research praxis of transdisciplinary (TD) scholar-activists contributing to social movements for environmental justice on the coasts and in the oceans (‘blue justice’). I wrote this thesis from my position as the coordinator of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), which is a component of the Global Challenge Research Fund One Ocean Hub’s TD ocean governance programme. The CJN is a grouping of South African TD scholar-activists working collaboratively in processes of knowledge co-production with small-scale fishers (SSFs) and other coastal communities. These SSFs are leading resistances to blue injustice from the margins of ocean governance. Within a solidarity and environmental justice orientation to TD ocean research, CJN researchers and SSFs have responded together to a wide range of blue justice issues between 2020 and 2024 and, in doing so, have co-generated an activist archive. This thesis draws on the activist archive to surface core practices and priorities for research that contribute to movements for blue justice. The study was developed as a PhD portfolio through five papers, with an introduction and conclusion. The main aim of this study was to explore dimensions of scholar-activist TD research praxis and associated contributions to advancing blue justice in transformative ocean governance. In doing this, it sought to address some of the gaps in blue justice TD research, most notably the need for a deeper understanding of how to centre the voices and contributions of those most affected by environmental justice concerns. It also addresses the role of scholar-activist researchers practised as a form of political solidarity and reflexive co-engagement. The main research question is: How can scholar-activist transdisciplinary research praxis contribute to advancing blue justice in transformative ocean governance in South Africa? Methodologically, the study uses a form of activist ethnography, which is a scholar-activist methodology that includes an explicit political commitment to engagement and to generating knowledge for activism purposes. Methods within activist ethnographic research include participant and self-observation, critically reflexive “thick” descriptions of context and practice, interviews and conversations, direct political actions with activist partners and facilitation of mutual learning. At the centre of this work is the co-constructed scholar-activist archive, which offers a record of four years of such TD scholar-activist praxis. This thesis and the papers presented as part of the thesis all draw on the co-produced scholar-activist archive constructed out of the social movement work of the SSFs in collaboration with CJN researcher’s TD scholar-activist research praxis over four years, representing the type of activist ethnography referred to above. Compiling and organising the archive was one important level of analytical/synthesis work I undertook. I also drew on the archive to make visible key facets of blue justice work and reflected on this, making up three different levels of analytical work with the archive: 1) Constructing and organising the archive, 2) Selection of key foci in the archive, and 3) Meta-reflections. Through this approach, I address the main research question via four sub-questions, each the focus of a paper in this PhD by publication. Why is there a need to advance scholar-activist TD practice in transformative ocean governance research? This question is addressed in Paper 1 (Chapter 2 of this thesis). How can scholar-activists in blue justice support just and inclusive views of ocean governance? This question is addressed in Paper 2 (Chapter 3 of the thesis). What methods in blue justice research enable plural knowledges and perspectives for co-engagement? This question is addressed in Paper 3 (Chapter 4 of the thesis). How is blue justice resistance expressed and acknowledged as a key feature of inclusive ocean governance? This question is addressed in Paper 4 (Chapter 5 of the thesis). What emerges as key lessons for scholar-activist TD researchers in blue justice? This question is addressed in Paper 5 (Chapter 6 of the thesis) and in the meta-reflection in Chapter 7. The thesis as a whole offers: 1. Identification of a core practice, centred on “transformative space making” for care- ful, responsive and reflexive solidarity networks – ‘net-work’ – that allows community-based activists and social movements to leverage the kinds of research support they need when they need it. 2. Insight into participatory ocean governance and socially just ocean protection, practised through an ‘agonistic’ and counter-hegemonic knowledge co-production emergent from this form of TD scholar-activism. 3. Methods and guidance for these practices, with specific emphasis on agonistically plural and inclusive methods of blue resistance. 4. Insights into the positionality and ethical tensions of TD scholar-activist researchers. The study offers an empirical case of how a CJN, through TD scholar-activist praxis, can contribute to blue resistance and blue justice. The reflective chapter (Chapter 7) shows that this type of TD scholar-activist praxis is not without challenges and limitations; through a reflexive review of these, the study offers direction for further research. It also points to the roles of scholar-activists working in solidarity with SSFs in pursuit of blue justice. Overall, the thesis offers an orientation for TD researchers interested in aligning their research praxis with social movements working in counter-hegemonic ways for environmental justice. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-03
Evaluating perceptions of co-management on small-scale fisheries in the Wild Coast of South Africa
- Authors: Mthombeni, Vusi Gedla
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Small-scale fisheries South Africa , Fishery co-management , Ecosystem approach , Stakeholder theory , Wild Coast Region
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434678 , vital:73095
- Description: Shared perceptions by stakeholders can improve the understanding of managing natural resources. This study aimed to evaluate stakeholders’ perceptions towards co-management of small-scale fisheries to improve the management of these resources. Eleven participants were purposively sampled from government agencies, non-profit organisations and community representatives from Coffee Bay, Port St Johns, Lusikisiki and Xolobeni on the Wild Coast of South Africa. Predetermined themes derived from the literature were used to develop the interview schedule. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted to probe the participants’ understanding of the term “co-management” and its objectives, benefits, processes, and outcomes. Data were recorded and transcribed into text, and thematic analysis was used to detect themes that emerged from the data. The results indicated that all participants perceived co-management of Small-scale fisheries as beneficial. Securing access rights through fishing permits was a benefit that was exclusive to the fishers, whereas self-regulation, sharing of information, and mobilising and utilising the strengths of different stakeholders were the benefits noted by all stakeholder participants. Government representatives viewed the involvement of government in the co-management structures of SSF as necessary, whereas the other representatives’ views were that government should be excluded. Incorporating the traditional and government regulatory systems was recommended to manage fisheries resources effectively. The benefits of co-management exceeded costs, suggesting that co-management was viable for the Wild Coast. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04-03
- Authors: Mthombeni, Vusi Gedla
- Date: 2024-04-03
- Subjects: Small-scale fisheries South Africa , Fishery co-management , Ecosystem approach , Stakeholder theory , Wild Coast Region
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434678 , vital:73095
- Description: Shared perceptions by stakeholders can improve the understanding of managing natural resources. This study aimed to evaluate stakeholders’ perceptions towards co-management of small-scale fisheries to improve the management of these resources. Eleven participants were purposively sampled from government agencies, non-profit organisations and community representatives from Coffee Bay, Port St Johns, Lusikisiki and Xolobeni on the Wild Coast of South Africa. Predetermined themes derived from the literature were used to develop the interview schedule. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted to probe the participants’ understanding of the term “co-management” and its objectives, benefits, processes, and outcomes. Data were recorded and transcribed into text, and thematic analysis was used to detect themes that emerged from the data. The results indicated that all participants perceived co-management of Small-scale fisheries as beneficial. Securing access rights through fishing permits was a benefit that was exclusive to the fishers, whereas self-regulation, sharing of information, and mobilising and utilising the strengths of different stakeholders were the benefits noted by all stakeholder participants. Government representatives viewed the involvement of government in the co-management structures of SSF as necessary, whereas the other representatives’ views were that government should be excluded. Incorporating the traditional and government regulatory systems was recommended to manage fisheries resources effectively. The benefits of co-management exceeded costs, suggesting that co-management was viable for the Wild Coast. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04-03
Quantifying the ecological and socioeconomic implications of a recovery/collapse of South Africa’s West Coast rock lobster fishery
- Authors: Eggers, Jessica Marguerite
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Jasus lalandii South Africa , Lobster fisheries South Africa , Lobster fisheries Catch effort South Africa , Fishery management South Africa , Small-scale fisheries South Africa , Economics Sociological aspects , Value chain analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188854 , vital:44792
- Description: The West Coast rock lobster (WCRL) Jasus lalandii fishery is South Africa’s third most valuable fishery, but the stock is currently at less than 2% of its pristine biomass. Scientists are warning that if no measures are taken, the WCRL could face commercial extinction. The necessary reductions in the global Total allowable Catch (TAC) seen in past years have had large economic implications for the WCRL value chain, but research into the socio-economic aspects of this fishery is limited. This study, therefore, aims to establish an overview of the economic revenue over the seasons 2016/17 – 2018/19 by exploring changes and trends in the net seasonal income (NSI) for the fishery, sectors within the fishery and different stakeholders. It also investigates the prospects for the sectors and different actors in this fishery over the seasons 2019/2020 - 2030/31 through analysis of the net present value (NPV) under three proposed global TAC management scenarios (global TAC of 640 tonnes, 1084 tonnes and 1280 tonnes). Data concerning costs and incomes as well as dynamics, mechanisms and concerns surrounding the fishery were collected from stakeholders in the different sectors through interviews and surveys. Further, official records from DEFF (catches, actors, vessels and quotas) and projections made by the Marine Resource Assessment (MARAM) team at the University of Cape Town (rates of recovery of the resource and future catches under the different TAC scenarios) were obtained and analysed. Cost and income data were summarised and models characterising the economic flows within the fishery were created. Calculations regarding the NSI and NPV were made using Monte Carlo simulations to account for the uncertainty surrounding many of the input variables. Results show that while the fishery as a whole made economic profits for the three seasons, the decreasing quotas in 2018/19 had a disproportionately negative impact on some of the representative individuals examined within the different sectors. The projections indicate that while each of the sectors as a whole would continue to make profits largely proportional to their allocation under the different TAC scenarios, many vessel owners in the fishery are likely to face economic losses or very marginal gains under the lower quota options, while the NPV for quota holders who outsource the catching of their quota are likely to be proportionally less affected by the changes in global TAC. This dynamic is important to consider for the future of this fishery. If the resource is to recover, and fishing activity is to continue equitably under the decreased quotas that the recovery of the biomass necessitates, the socio-economic context and the dynamics within which the fishers operate must be considered and studied more extensively and socio-economic consequences of a lower global TAC mitigated while improving the ecological status of the resource. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
- Authors: Eggers, Jessica Marguerite
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Jasus lalandii South Africa , Lobster fisheries South Africa , Lobster fisheries Catch effort South Africa , Fishery management South Africa , Small-scale fisheries South Africa , Economics Sociological aspects , Value chain analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188854 , vital:44792
- Description: The West Coast rock lobster (WCRL) Jasus lalandii fishery is South Africa’s third most valuable fishery, but the stock is currently at less than 2% of its pristine biomass. Scientists are warning that if no measures are taken, the WCRL could face commercial extinction. The necessary reductions in the global Total allowable Catch (TAC) seen in past years have had large economic implications for the WCRL value chain, but research into the socio-economic aspects of this fishery is limited. This study, therefore, aims to establish an overview of the economic revenue over the seasons 2016/17 – 2018/19 by exploring changes and trends in the net seasonal income (NSI) for the fishery, sectors within the fishery and different stakeholders. It also investigates the prospects for the sectors and different actors in this fishery over the seasons 2019/2020 - 2030/31 through analysis of the net present value (NPV) under three proposed global TAC management scenarios (global TAC of 640 tonnes, 1084 tonnes and 1280 tonnes). Data concerning costs and incomes as well as dynamics, mechanisms and concerns surrounding the fishery were collected from stakeholders in the different sectors through interviews and surveys. Further, official records from DEFF (catches, actors, vessels and quotas) and projections made by the Marine Resource Assessment (MARAM) team at the University of Cape Town (rates of recovery of the resource and future catches under the different TAC scenarios) were obtained and analysed. Cost and income data were summarised and models characterising the economic flows within the fishery were created. Calculations regarding the NSI and NPV were made using Monte Carlo simulations to account for the uncertainty surrounding many of the input variables. Results show that while the fishery as a whole made economic profits for the three seasons, the decreasing quotas in 2018/19 had a disproportionately negative impact on some of the representative individuals examined within the different sectors. The projections indicate that while each of the sectors as a whole would continue to make profits largely proportional to their allocation under the different TAC scenarios, many vessel owners in the fishery are likely to face economic losses or very marginal gains under the lower quota options, while the NPV for quota holders who outsource the catching of their quota are likely to be proportionally less affected by the changes in global TAC. This dynamic is important to consider for the future of this fishery. If the resource is to recover, and fishing activity is to continue equitably under the decreased quotas that the recovery of the biomass necessitates, the socio-economic context and the dynamics within which the fishers operate must be considered and studied more extensively and socio-economic consequences of a lower global TAC mitigated while improving the ecological status of the resource. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
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