Fisherfolk contingent valuation of marine restoration in Gujarat, India

Marine restoration using artificial reef modules can contribute to fisheries sustainability but needs community support. We used contingent valuation to assess the acceptance of a marine restoration project involving artificial reef modules among the fishing community of Veraval in the state of Gujarat in Western India. We surveyed 205 fisherfolk, assessing both willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to commit time (WTCT) to support the restoration project. We found that more respondents were willing to commit time to the project than money and the monetized value of time was 4-14 times more than the stated value in cash. We recorded 33% protest responses, primarily from higher income, experienced boat owners who argued that the government should bear the costs of such a project. Conversely, the program found greater support among younger fishers and owners of mechanized crafts. Results suggested that WTP and WTCT were related to experience, perception of fishing providing enough income, the outlook of prioritizing needs of future generations over current needs, and the perception of people outside the fishing industry. By assessing both time and money contributions, managers can fully explore the factors driving support for conservation programs, identify target groups, and increase community engagement.