Program
BRIDGES is an interdisciplinary research and scientific cooperation program aiming to identify solutions for biodiversity conservation and fair, sustainable fishing at the local scale of several study sites and at the regional scale of the South-Western Indian Ocean (SWIO).
BRIDGES specifically studies the social-ecological systems of fisheries – particularly small-scale, coastal and pelagic fishing – and aquaculture at 6 study sites spread across the SWIO region.
Two types of social-ecological systems* are studied:
* A social-ecological system is an interconnected system in which human societies and ecological environments interact and influence each other. It encompasses the relationships between people, communities and ecosystems, emphasizing their interdependence and co-evolution.
- Social-ecological systems associated with reef resources (fish, invertebrates, etc.), the associated habitats (coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, etc.) and interfaces (watersheds and offshore areas): mainly artisanal fishing and also small-scale and inshore fishing.
- Social-ecological systems associated with large pelagic resources like tuna and bycatch species groups and coastal and offshore habitats: offshore, small-scale and industrial fishing.
BRIDGES proposes to work with researchers, decision-makers and stakeholders in the SWIO to initiate transformations towards greater social and environmental justice. A decision-making support network based on open science principles will be set up.
In a few words
BRIDGES studies the interactions between fishing activities and social-ecological systems at different sites in the SWIO. It evaluates and promotes modes of governance and spatialized management tools (e.g. marine protected areas) for biodiversity conservation and fair, sustainable fishing.
BRIDGES is structured around a number of key actions:
- 6 targeted, linked and interconnected scientific projects that run for the full duration of the program and are scheduled to start in September 2024.
- 2 structuring components, enabling :
- BRIDGES – GOVERNANCE: Managing the program and supporting its partners, capacity sharing in the SWIO from 2025 onwards. This will include supporting the structuring and regionalisation of two master’s degrees in the Indian Ocean; funding scholarships for students from countries in the region and multidisciplinary thesis clusters for future decision-makers in the SWIO; field schools and thematic summer schools for stakeholders interested in BRIDGES’ objectives.
- BRIDGES – TRANSVERSE: Provide cross-functional support for the program as a whole.
The program’s ambitions will be supported and fuelled by cross-disciplinary scientific activities and a major communications/promotion component.
A unique context
The SWIO is a climate change hotspot with rising atmospheric and oceanic temperatures, accelerating ocean acidification, disrupted rainfall patterns, extreme weather events and rising sea levels. Also, the migration of marine resources in this area of the world towards the poles is occurring faster than the global average rate. Other issues in the SWIO include anthropogenic pressures linked to the intensification of human uses and the growing demand for natural resources like stocks of fish.
All of these global changes impact heavily on marine and coastal ecosystems and the human societies depending on them for food, income (e.g. from fishing and tourism), other ecosystem services that protect the coast from flooding and erosion and cultural activities.
This then is the context that is leading to the increased vulnerability of ecosystems and exposure of humans along with increased tensions linked to competition for fish stocks.
The Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) at the heart of BRIDGES thinking
ABMTs are used to frame uses and practices in a targeted geographical area, particularly the use of natural resources. Once objectives to be achieved (such as ecosystem restoration, sustainable fisheries, marine conservation or the exploitation of marine resources) have been clarified then different types of tools can be used to define and implement the right management and monitoring measures.
Here are a few examples of these tools:
- Fisheries closure (FC) zone: Seasonal or permanent closure of a fishing zone to protect a population of fish or part of this (FAO 2014).
- Protected marine area: Nature conservation is the priority of this form of spatial management tool. Such tools should correspond to the following definition “A clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.” (IUCN, 2008)
- Locally managed marine areas (LMMAs): These are fully or collaboratively managed by resident or neighbouring communities or families and representatives of local government. They usually work towards local conservation and/or sustainable development objectives. (NOAA, 2017b) (LMMA Network, 2016).
The important issues covered by the program
Biodiversity conservation
How can we improve the quantity, quality (protection level) and effectiveness of spatial management tools?
BRIDGES seeks to set up observatories of coastal and marine social-ecological systems exploited by fisheries, to fuel iterative dialogue with stakeholders and interest groups. The aim is to implement adaptive management to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable fishing.
Environmental justice
What levels of protection promote biodiversity conservation and create benefits for fishing in local socio-ecological contexts?
BRIDGES analyzes how management methods and governance of ABMTs can be made more efficient and equitable, by examining public policies and their impact, the conflicts they generate and the role of stakeholders in their formulation.
Resilience and adaptation
How can we ensure that the proposed solutions help to adapt to climate change and are not themselves vulnerable to it?
BRIDGES studies the factors influencing the adaptive capacity of social-ecological systems at different scales ranging from regional analysis to individual fishing households. In particular, this includes the development of risk profiles linked to global change and the analysis of the impacts of ABMTs on the resilience of small-scale artisan fishermen.
Cooperation and stakeholder networks
How can area-based management tools and protected marine areas help improve the links between regions?
BRIDGES tests the hypothesis that networking ABMT tools through coordinated and shared observation of these will enhance their resilience and reinforce regional collaboration. Multi-scale spatial and temporal social-ecological systems (i.e. geophysical, geochemical, biological and social) interconnections will be analysed in the aforementioned study sites. Developing a networked observatory of social-ecological systems will enable researchers to map, quantify and model these processes.
The observation strategy being developed particularly aims to contribute to:
- The coordination of the collection and sharing of data on the state and use of the oceans and of the right climate descriptors;
- A regional approach to social-ecological systems for the usage of resources and to impacts on climate;
- Building local capacity to support the proposed long-term collaborative, regional, interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral and equitable approach.
Food security and anticipating emerging conflicts
How can networks of protected marine areas that are jointly constructed with stakeholders contribute to a more peaceful management of resources at the regional level?
BRIDGES explores the interconnection between the environment, food security and the economy through the role played by ABMTs in how small-scale fishermen can adapt to global change.
To anticipate risks, BRIDGES develops predictive models based on field approaches such as living-labs which determine and test resilience and sustainability factors.
Did you know that artisanal fishing in the SWIO plays a crucial role in the region’s food security, employment and economic growth? This form of small-scale fishing accounts for 78% of catches in the Comoros, Madagascar and Mozambique. Around 42% of these catches are for personal consumption with fish sales making up around 32% of the income of the region’s fishing households.
BRIDGES was among the 13 winners of wave 2 of the ‘Exploratory Priority Research Programs and Equipment (PEPR)’ call launched in the framework of the France 2030 investment plan.
These programs are intended to support emerging transformations in priority areas like the environment or society.