Abstract:
The paper examines existing fishery-dependent livelihood contexts in terms of a “social-ecological trap,” a process whereby rigid and persistent behavioral responses are applied due to lack of capacity to adapt beyond this thinking. A gender lens is used to look beyond the primary sector (fishing) and to include considerations of a secondary sector (postharvest fish processing) as an important dimension in the social-ecological trap paradigm. Findings show that postharvest fish losses and unequal gender relations are two drivers of the “trap” in the floodplain fishery. This process highlights interconnections between people and their natural environment as elements of social-ecological systems.
