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Marine heatwave challenges solutions to human-wildlife conflict
Jameal F Samhouri1, Blake E Feist1, Mary C Fisher1,2
1Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|December 1, 2021
Summary
Extreme climate events like marine heatwaves worsen human-wildlife conflict. Management strategies struggled to balance conservation and fishing, leading to negative outcomes for both whales and Dungeness crab fishers.
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology and conservation science
- Climate change impacts on ecosystems
- Fisheries management and human-wildlife conflict
Background:
- Extreme climate events, such as marine heatwaves, are increasing in frequency and intensity.
- Understanding the cascading effects of these events on social-ecological systems is crucial for effective management.
- Human-wildlife conflicts, particularly between conservation goals and economic activities, are complex to manage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the 2014-2016 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave on trade-offs in managing large whale entanglements in the Dungeness crab fishery.
- To assess the effectiveness of various management strategies in mitigating conflict between whale conservation and fishery revenue.
- To understand how extreme climate events alter the dynamics of human-wildlife conflict.
Main Methods:
- Case study analysis of the U.S. West Coast Dungeness crab fishery during the 2014-2016 marine heatwave.
- Evaluation of the influence of the marine heatwave on the efficacy of different management strategies.
- Assessment of trade-offs between entanglement risk for large whales and economic returns for fishers.
Main Results:
- The marine heatwave significantly reduced the effectiveness of management strategies in resolving conflicts.
- Outcomes shifted from near win-win scenarios to clear win-lose situations for whales and fishers.
- No single management strategy proved universally effective; varying cost-effectiveness was observed across different actions.
Conclusions:
- Extreme climate events exacerbate human-wildlife conflicts by altering ecological and social dynamics.
- Innovative management and policy interventions are necessary to achieve ecologically and socially sustainable solutions.
- Adapting management strategies is essential for navigating the challenges posed by rapid environmental change and ensuring long-term sustainability.
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