A comprehensive framework for operating science‐based fisheries management: A checklist for using the best available science

Abstract

Developing fisheries policies based on the best available science (BAS) has been generally required in international agreements and national legal documents in many countries. However, it is difficult to comply with BAS when lacking a uniformly agreed‐upon operational framework. In this study, we conducted an exhaustive literature review and developed a framework that includes a comprehensive set of criteria and a basic operational structure for science‐based fisheries management (SBFM) to better integrate BAS in fisheries policies. We proposed that SBFM consists of four components: objective‐setting, data input (implementation and enforcement process), data production (scientific research process), and data use (management strategy development). The capacity of a fisheries system to produce and use BAS is mainly reflected in the following areas: (a) efficient informational feedback among these components; (b) collecting a good range of quality‐assured data that meet the needs of scientific research and fishery policy formulation; (c) analyzing the collected data; and (d) selecting and using the best data from different sources. The framework developed provides a set of new patterns for the use of fisheries science, which is applied for management purposes. It can inform the creation, evaluation, and improvement of management systems rooted in SBFM and strengthen SBFM‐related research, communication, and cooperation.

A will-o’-the wisp? On the utility of voluntary contributions of data and knowledge from the fishing industry to marine science

“…Despite the normative calls for participatory research and consistent evidence of SIRC benefits in the literature, fisheries science in regions with well-developed scientific advisory systems remains firmly rooted in traditional 'Mode 1' knowledge production (Hessels and van Lente, 2008) and associated approaches and beliefs (cf. (Su et al, 2021). In our evidence, we recognize important contributions of SIRC, but we do not yet see overwhelming evidence of a sea-change towards the systematic integration of industry contributions and more transdisciplinary fisheries science as part of 'Mode 2' (Hessels and van Lente, 2008) approaches.…”

“…The process should be iterative and targeted to address specific needs and aims and must be transparent, open, inclusive and objective. It should include independent review, validation, and be central to and embedded within management mechanisms (Lynch et al, 2018;ICES, 2019a;Su et al, 2021).…”

“…It is widely recognized that SIRC can contribute to developing mutual trust (e.g., St. Martin et al, 2007;Holm et al, 2020a;Steins et al, 2020a;Ford and Stewart, 2021;Macher et al, 2021;Köpsel, 2022) and to industry's perceptions about the legitimacy of science (Murray et al, 2008b;Johnson and McCay, 2012;Röckmann et al, 2015;Stephenson et al, 2016;De Boois et al, 2021;Su et al, 2021). Once trust has been established the degree of integration of industry data (Stephenson et al, 2016;Cvitanovic et al, 2021) and unique experiential knowledge (Steins et al, 2020a) may evolve.…”

“…The credibility of science is closely linked to its legitimacy (Röckmann et al, 2015;Su et al, 2021). It is widely acknowledged that industry-employed scientists, can contribute to increasing the legitimacy of science within industry in their role as 'boundary spanners' who recognize the value of fishers' knowledge and are able to communicate on both sides of the boundary between scientific and fishers' knowledge (Johnson, 2011).…”

“…To differing degrees across the world, achieving this will involve adaptations to current fisheries governance frameworks toward new cultures of cooperation. Proposals for possible avenues have been suggested in a number of recent publications (Goḿez and Köpsel 2023;Bradley et al, 2019;Holm et al, 2020a;Fulton, 2021;Hart, 2021;Macher et al, 2021;Stephenson et al, 2021;Su et al, 2021;Strand et al, 2022). Better definition of industry's role in contributing to science will improve credibility and legitimacy of the scientific process, and of resulting management.…”