Many people believe that when different communities interact across boundaries, it can undermine natural resource management. However, when several communities use the same resource, these connections can actually build trust and dependence between them. According to a new study, this trust can encourage them to work together to manage resources better.
The study, conducted by Washington State University researchers, focused on 28 fishing villages in northern Tanzania, about their participation in managing open-access fisheries and their social relationships in each village accessing the fishery. It found that long-distance friendships can-
Positively influence community-based conservation.
Foster trust and cooperation.
Be essential for managing shared natural resources.
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Individuals with more friends were far more likely to participate in activities aimed at sustainable fisheries management. On the other hand, people who didn’t have long-distance friends or even just had one friend in another village were 15% more likely to take part in conservation activities. These activities included cleaning up beaches, reporting illegal fishing, and teaching others about sustainable resource use.
This effect is attributed to the unique support from long-distance friends. This mutual reliance builds a sense of interdependence, where both groups have reasons to work together to protect their shared resources.
The researchers used Bayesian statistical models to interview 17 participants in Tanzania’s Tanga region. They examined how the number of long-distance relationships and the level of trust between people from different communities affected their involvement in Beach Management Unit activities.
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The researchers found that long-distance friendships encouraged participation in Beach Management Unit activities in two ways:
First, people with more long-distance friends were more likely to participate in conservation efforts.
Second, these friendships helped build trust between communities, which made them more willing to cooperate across community boundaries.
Participants who trusted people from other communities were much more likely to participate in managing fisheries compared to those who didn’t trust others as much. Interestingly, trust within their community didn’t impact participation much, showing that connections between different communities uniquely encourage collective action.
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However, the study also pointed out some potential downsides of long-distance friendships. Previous research has shown that these relationships can sometimes lead to “leakage,” where people use their connections to break conservation rules. For example, friends might share information about patrol schedules, allowing illegal activities to occur.
Kristopher Smith, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral fellow at the Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, said, “What’s unique about our findings is that we’re showing both sides of the coin. While these relationships can lead to rule-breaking, they also have significant potential to drive conservation.”
Local organizations like the Mwambao Coastal Community Network, which was involved in the research, already use the study’s findings. This Tanzanian NGO works with fishing communities to build relationships between villages through activities such as fishery closures and reopening events. These events not only show the benefits of conservation but also help strengthen ties between different communities.
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Smith, a research team member, noted, “This research supports what organizations like Mwambao are already doing.” By proving that building long-distance relationships brings extra benefits, the study can help guide larger conservation efforts led by organizations like Mwambao.”
Looking ahead, the research team plans to study how long-distance relationships affect other natural resource areas, like forestry, and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. They want to understand more about when these relationships lead to negative outcomes, like leakage, or when they are helpful for successful conservation.
Journal Reference:
Kristopher M. Smith, Anne C. Pisor et al. Long-distance Friends and Collective Action in Fisheries Management. Conversation Letters. DOI: 10.1111/conl.13073