Market-based governance in aquaculture. Exploring the viability of eco-certification schemes in the case of small-scale Black Tiger shrimp farmers in Bangladesh

Keywords

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Issue Date

2018-06-12

Language

en

Document type

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Title

ISSN

Volume

Issue

Startpage

Endpage

DOI

Abstract

The aim of this master thesis is to analyze the power relations of NGOs and retailers in the EU behind the demand for eco-certification schemes in aquaculture and to show the viability of eco-certification schemes (especially ASC and Naturland) and some alternative strategies (group certification, cooperatives, government regulation, area-based management and technology) for small-scale farmers in order to regulate sustainability and maintain market access to retailers in the EU. A qualitative case study of small-scale Black Tiger shrimp farmers in Bangladesh is used as a method for this study. Data for this study were collected with the help of semi-structured interviews with fourteen respondents, complemented with four questionnaires among small-scale Black Tiger shrimp farmers in Bangladesh. In conclusion, the thesis argues that NGOs such as WWF are pushing retailers in the EU to buy eco-certified seafood products. However, this could lead to the exclusion of small-scale shrimp farmers in Bangladesh to gain market access in the EU as they are often unable to meet the requirements of eco-certification schemes. Alternative options like cooperatives and access to technology have to be better investigated in order to allow small-scale farmers to maintain access to the EU market.

Description

Citation

Faculty

Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen