Hydropower Development and the Neglect of Inland Capture Fisheries from a Food Systems Perspective

Friend, Richard M.; Arthur, Robert I.; Brugere, Cecile; Cowx, Ian G.; Doherty, Bob; Mak, Sithirith; Islam, Md Monirul; Nunan, Fiona; Paavola, Jouni; Sretthachau, Chainarong; Stewart, Bryce D.; Thankappan, Samarthia; Vaddhanaphuti, Chayan

Abstract

This paper addresses why food security implications of projected losses to inland capture fisheries due to hydropower development have been neglected in policy arenas. Drawing on the case of the Lower Mekong Basin, this paper applies a conceptual framework for analyzing this question as a case of fundamental food system change. Four inter-related axes of change–narratives, actors, institutions and resources–constitute the framework for analyzing and challenging the dynamics and values of food systems change. Despite substantial scientific evidence on the nutritional and food security significance of the fisheries, and the magnitude of negative impacts of planned hydropower development, there has been no discernible shift in hydropower investment and related policy. The lack of attention to this food production loss is due to a broader transformation in food systems, itself shaped by powerful interests and values. Addressing the neglect of fisheries requires challenging this trajectory of food system change.

Citation

Friend, R. M., Arthur, R. I., Brugere, C., Cowx, I. G., Doherty, B., Mak, S., Islam, M. M., Nunan, F., Paavola, J., Sretthachau, C., Stewart, B. D., Thankappan, S., & Vaddhanaphuti, C. (in press). Hydropower Development and the Neglect of Inland Capture Fisheries from a Food Systems Perspective. Society & Natural Resources, https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2023.2223551

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 23, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 24, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 26, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 25, 2025
• Journal: Society and Natural Resources
• Print ISSN: 0894-1920
• Electronic ISSN: 1521-0723
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2023.2223551
• Keywords: Food systems; Hydropower; Inland capture fisheries; Mekong; Policy neglect; Political ecology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4348760