Ali, L., Grey, E., Singh, D., Mohammed, A., Tripathi, V., Gobin, J., & Ramnarine, I. (2020). An evaluation of the public’s knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in Trinidad and Tobago regarding sharks and shark consumption. PLOS ONE, 15(6).
The article illustrates a study in which people from Trinidad and Tobago were surveyed in regard to attitudes toward shark conservation. The research is important due to its illustration of the opinion of the public directly interested in the ecological conservation of species in regions where they live. Thus, the authors came to the conclusion that while participants support conservation measures, education on the subject is a predictor of the formed opinion. This finding is critical since it refers to the importance of awareness of an ecological problem, which facilitates its minimization and mitigation of risk factors correlating with excess shark consumption.
Alleng, G. (2014). Understanding the economics of climate in Trinidad and Tobago. Inter-American Development Bank.
The report exemplifies the sectors which will suffer damage and the effects on the different ecological, economic, and societal levels. In regards to this particular paper, the report is essential since it shows the perspective of coastal zone issues, including a reduction in fish, which is an essential resource in Trinidad and Tobago. Since overfishing is already a concern and a reduction in the shark population is already affecting the ecosystem, such outcomes have the potential to worsen the problem and cause major effects that are to be confronted. Thus, the report exemplifies the economic damage as a result of ecological problems in the regions.
Binder, C. R., Hinkel, J., Bots, P. W., & Pahl-Wostl, C. (2013). Comparison of frameworks for analyzing social-ecological systems. Ecology and Society, 18(4).
The article provides information on various frameworks used to examine social-ecological systems, including aspects such as the purpose, design, circumstances that are examined, and other essential levels in this field. The literature review is critical for the topic of a decline in the shark population in Trinidad and Tobago since it relates to the link between ecological and social problems and provides data on how to determine the effects. Thus, the frameworks that are being described in the paper can be practically applied to identify the extent of the damage within social-ecological systems, including the outcomes of shark reduction and the outcomes for the local communities.
Chan, C., & Shing, A. (2001). Case Study of the Integrated Coastal Fisheries Management Project: A Pilot Project for the Gulf of Paria, Trinidad. Division of Fisheries, Trinidad and Tobago.
The case study presents an analysis of a possible implementation that can create a more sustainable and organized environment in the fishing sector in Trinidad through effective project management. The study is critical to shark conservation since it approaches the issue practically and takes into consideration certain national aspects, such as the independency of fisheries and the approach to natural resources. Since fisheries were and remain a way of life for multiple local businesses and people, urgent regulations and interventions would create an unfavorable environment and harmful economic effects. Thus, a more careful approach is needed when it comes to fishing project management.
Coll, M., Libralato, S., Tudela, S., Palomera, I., & Pranovi, F. (2008). Ecosystem overfishing in the Ocean. PLOS ONE.
The article illustrates the critical state of the global fishing industry and the circumstances in which sustainable sourcing becomes less prominent despite the world’s concern with the effects of unethical ecological practices. The importance of the study is suggested through the author’s finding that the number of fisheries operating without sustainable practices is on the rise, and the current ecosystem cannot handle fishing to the extent to which it is practiced currently. This directly ties the conclusions with the topic of this paper since overfishing of sharks is a major issue in Trinidad and Tobago, leading to further environmental damage which cannot be minimized due to the increasing number of unsustainable fisheries.
Cáceres, C., & Ali, L. (2017). Shark Artisanal Fisheries in Tobago. Camila Caceres.
The article provides insight into artisanal fishing, the effects on the shark population in Trinidad and Tobago, and the cultural aspect of shark consumption in the regions. The author’s work is essential in regard to the topic of a reduction in the shark population since it provides insight into the fishing techniques and the traditional food that often consists of shark meat. As a result, the methodology in which fishing is performed harms the ecosystem and leads to a damaging reduction in species. This is facilitated by the local traditional street food since most restaurants provide options containing sharks as an ingredient.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Policy Framework. (2019).
The paper suggests an integration of a Coastal Zone Management initiative that would address multiple problems related to coastal damage, economic difficulties, and social problems related to ecological harm. The importance of the intervention is illustrated through the author’s aim to address coastal damage as an ecological problem and a concern linked to the population, economy, and conservation. Since the topic of the paper is a reduction in shark population in certain regions, a solution would have to include considerations in terms of the species themselves, people who operate in the fishing field, and the communities that currently benefit from the practices. This is why the report suggests having a complex approach that can ameliorate potential risks on multiple levels.
Mycoo, M. A., & Bharath, K. (2021). Sustainable development goal 11 and a new urban agenda for Caribbean Small Island Developing States: Policy, practice, and action. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 3.
The article refers to the aim of Caribbean Small Island Developing States to fulfill the objectives set by the United Nations in terms of sustainable development. However, the authors make the point to state that the states cannot have an urgent approach to the challenge due to national specifics, such as the importance of certain industrial fields for the islands and the low economic potency. The consideration is the states as different in regards to reaching sustainability is critical and refers to the topic of shark population reduction. This may be interpreted as the need for complex decisions when it comes to making a switch to sustainable fishing and the importance of developing from an economic and social perspective so that unsustainable sourcing of shark meat is not needed. If the population is able to acquire jobs and financial stability in other industries, the need for shark fishing will be mitigated.
Partelow, S. (2018). A review of the social-ecological systems framework: Applications, methods, modifications, and challenges. Ecology and Society, 23(4).
The article provides insight into the frameworks that can be applied in social-ecological systems. Thus, the authors of the articles have found that approaches are to be adaptable, comparable, and initiated through a diagnosis of the circumstances. This is significant since it relates to the subject of shard population reduction. Based on the approaches suggested by the authors, a mitigation of the problem is to be based on an intervention that considers the specificities of the regions, has been applied in other areas of the world and is the result of a detailed diagnostics procedure. As a result, the changes will be less damaging for the population and lead to positive ecological and social dynamics switches.
Soma, K. (2003). How to involve stakeholders in fisheries management—a country case study in Trinidad and Tobago. Marine Policy, 27(1), 47–58.
The study suggests applying the analytic hierarchy process in the fishery segment to maximize stakeholder involvement in the case of interventions. The strength of the article is the relation to the topic chosen for the paper since it is based on the field of shrimp fishery in the areas discussed previously. Thus, the researchers provide a valid and evidence-based approach to making positive changes in the fishing domain by applying certain principles linked to psychology and mathematics. Thus, the same framework can be applied while identifying the role of stakeholders in shark fisheries and determining their direct or indirect involvement in the needed changes.
Suman, D., & Shivlani, M. (2013). Coastal Zone Management.Yearbook of International Environmental Law, 24(1), 321–328.
The topic discussed at the convention is based on the importance of certain factors that assure sustainability in relation to coastal zone management. The recommendations suggested by the authors directly refer to sustainable fishing practices, which makes the source reliable and important for the subject. Furthermore, based on the convention highlights, reducing shark population decline would rely on the availability of data on the subject, considering social issues, assessing the current state of the ecosystem, effective planning, and combining science with policies. This will facilitate positive results and help minimize the effect of overfishing and shark population decline.