Research master thesis | African Studies (research) (MA)
under embargo until 2030-09-01
2030-09-01T00:00:00Z
The Mafia archipelago in Tanzania has been internationally and nationally recognised as an area with an immense amount of biodiversity. The creation of the first marine park in Tanzania, Mafia...Show moreThe Mafia archipelago in Tanzania has been internationally and nationally recognised as an area with an immense amount of biodiversity. The creation of the first marine park in Tanzania, Mafia Island Marine Park, reflects this recognition. However, little has been researched about how the protection of this biodiversity affects the main economic industry in the archipelago, the fishing industry. This thesis adds to our understanding about fishing in Mafia by examining the influence of government policies, WWF programs and marine conservation on the formation of fishermen identity within Mafia. It is based on three arguments. Firstly, identity is formed through the interactions that an individual has with other members of their community. Secondly, this thesis treats fishermen as an identity group and argues that the economic activities of a person provides insight into their identity. Thirdly, due to the importance of the environment and the reiteration of this importance by the majority of interviewees, the ocean, marine animals, wind and moon are treated as one interconnected entity. This entity is referred to as the environment within this thesis, which examines, in an exploratory manner, the communication between the environment and fishermen. In order to create an effective and accurate analysis of fishing in Mafia, this thesis is built upon an interdisciplinary approach. To academia this thesis provides a unique analysis of identity formation as it examines how both human and non-human entities shape identity formation. Furthermore, this thesis includes indigenous knowledge claims and treats the perceptions of the fishermen with high regard. At a societal level, this thesis aims to provide a platform for the voices of the fishermen and people in Mafia who feel marginalised from Tanzania and neglected by the Tanzanian government.Show less
