Integrating Ecological Cognition and Compensation Strategies for Livelihood Transitions: Insights from the Poyang Lake Fishing Ban Policy

Jiancheng Zhai (), Jie Yao, Xueqin Hu, Jun Tian, Ruijie Yang, Feiyan Lv, Zhiqiang Huang () and Liaobo Wang
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Jiancheng Zhai: School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Jie Yao: School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Xueqin Hu: School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Jun Tian: School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Ruijie Yang: School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Feiyan Lv: School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Zhiqiang Huang: School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Liaobo Wang: School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: The “Ten-Year Fishing Ban” policy in the Yangtze River Basin aims to restore ecological diversity but poses significant challenges for the fishermen in their transition to alternative livelihoods. This study focuses on fishermen who worked on Poyang Lake, using the sustainable livelihood framework and the theory of planned behavior, combined with fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and descriptive statistics, to explore the interaction effects of livelihood capital, ecological cognition, and compensation policies on fishermen’s behavioral responses. Key findings include the following: natural, financial, and psychological capital are core drivers of enhanced ecological cognition, with combined effects significantly increasing sensitivity to policy and environmental changes through pathways like “ecological transition drive”, “knowledge adaptation support”, and “multi-cooperation synergy”. Attitude, perceived behavioral control, and compensation policy transparency are crucial for positive responses, while social norms and policy fairness can compensate for individual motivation deficits, forming pathways like “ecological drive-policy recognition” and “norm drive-social support”. Current issues such as low compensation standards, insufficient retraining, and gender differences limit policy effectiveness. Optimizing measures like differentiated fishing permits, dynamic compensation mechanisms, and cultural empowerment are needed to balance ecological protection and social equity. The study suggests enhancing financial and psychological capital, improving vocational training systems, and increasing policy transparency to provide theoretical and practical references for sustainable global fisheries management.

Keywords: Yangtze River Basin; Poyang Lake; ecological cognition; livelihood transition; compensation policies; fsQCA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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