Innovation policy development for sustainable fisheries in the Global South: from R&D to system transformation

ABSTRACT

The goal of this study is to explore the emergence of different Frames for innovation policy in relation to social and environmental challenges like those posed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We suggest and use an analytical framework based on the three Frames for Innovation Policy proposed by Schot and Steinmueller (2018a, “Three frames for innovation policy: R&D, systems of innovation and transformative change.” Research Policy 47 (9): 1554–1567) to analyse two specific dimensions of innovation policy: the justification for policy intervention (type of failure) and the focus of intervention (mechanism for change). The shift from R&D and regulation towards system transformation is illustrated through a case study of a local agri-food industry in the Global South: the Mayan octopus fishery in the Yucatan region of Mexico. The case study evidence suggests that the emergence of different Frames did not follow a linear sequence and there are overlapping and ‘hybrid’ policies. The findings also suggest that Frame 3 initiatives require or emerge from Frame 1 or Frame 2 policy interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• Transformative change
• transformative innovation policy
• policy Frame
• regional innovation
• sustainable development
• Mexico

Acknowledgements

This research was conducted with the support of the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium (TIPC), a 5-years platform formed by researchers and policymakers to experiment and co-create knowledge for a new generation of innovation policy leading to socio-technical transformations; see http://www.tipconsortium.net/. The National Science and Technology Council of Mexico (CONACYT, for its acronym in Spanish) and the British Council of Mexico funded part of the fieldwork for this study. In any case, the opinions expressed here are solely of the Authors. We thank Ed Dearnley for proofreading and editing this version.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The FCCyT is the independent organization to support the Mexican Government and CONACYT for STI policy development.

2 CIATEJ-Yucatan is the research unit of the Centre for Research and Technological Assistance of the Jalisco State located in Yucatan.

3 UMDI-UNAM is the Multidisciplinary Unit for Teaching and Research of the Autonomous National University of Mexico.

4 The fishing, processing and commercialization practices apply for the two species. The main difference is that the fishing for the common octopus requires larger boats since it is found in deeper waters. The Mayan octopus can be captured using both large or small boats, but mostly takes place in coastal and shallower waters because of its biological characteristics of reproduction and growth. In addition, the international market prefers the Mayan octopus because of its freshness and better quality.

5 There is no historical data for Quintana Roo. In any case, the octopus catch has been significantly lower than that of Yucatan and Campeche over the last years.

6 Traditional fisheries involving fishing households (as opposed to commercial companies) using relatively small amount of capital and energy, relatively small fishing vessels (if any), making short fishing trips, close to shore, mainly for local consumption. In practice, the definition varies between countries, e.g. from gleaning or a one-man canoe in poor developing countries, to more than 20-m. trawlers, seiners, or long-liners in developed ones. Artisanal fisheries can be subsistence or commercial fisheries, providing for local consumption and/or export. They are sometimes referred to as small-scale fisheries. http://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/335263/ (Accessed on April 07 2020).

7 CONAPESCA is the National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries.

8 CONAPESCA, Statistical Yearbook, available at: https://acuasesor.conapesca.gob.mx/anuario.php (Accessed on November 26 2019).

9 Mexican Government: https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/334832/DOF_-_CNP_2017.pdf (Accessed on November 26 2019).

10 CINVESTAV-Merida, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, in Merida city in the State of Yucatan.