Progress in designing and delivering effective fishing industry-science data collection in the UK

Abstract

This study was undertaken to address the increasing need for a strategic approach to industryscience data collections in the face of reducing resources and growing need for evidence in fisheries management. The aim was to evaluate progress in the development of plans and procedures that can be employed to collect, record and use fishing industry knowledge and data in the evidence-base for managing fisheries. This was achieved by reviewing industryled data initiatives already undertaken or ongoing within the United Kingdom to document how these projects have/are incorporating fishing industry data into the process of management decision making; canvassing stakeholder opinion on data gaps and whether these could be filled by data gathered by commercial fishing vessels; establishing what issues might prevent or stimulate commercial fishing vessels in collecting data when they have the opportunity; and describing guidance on a step-by-step process for gathering scientific information such that fishers are empowered to collect the right data, at the right times and in the right format for their fishery. Given recent advances in the collection, interpretation and application of fishery-dependent data, we compare progress made in the UK to other areas of the world. We conclude that there is considerable evidence of a paradigm shift from the conventional practice of scientists asking fishers to provide data for scientific analyses towards full engagement of key stakeholders in data collection.

Towards transdisciplinary decision-support processes in fisheries: experiences and recommendations from a multidisciplinary collective of researchers

“…One of the main misunderstandings existing between scientists, stakeholders and decision-makers concerns the pace of science. Science is seen as too slow for policy-makers and stakeholders who need the provision of scientific advice in minimal time at minimal costs (Steins et al, 2020;Mangi et al, 2018). That need for quicker answers can threaten the quality of the scientific advice provided, as it tends to promote simpler approaches.…”

“…This is linked directly to the changing context of the democratisation of knowledge, where fisheries stakeholders are increasingly involved in (co)producing knowledge in support of management and in resource use negotiation (Steins et al, 2020;Mangi et al, 2018;Mackinson and Middleton, 2018;Thompson et al, 2019), and the realisation that EBFM implementation requires transdisciplinary approaches. The literature focuses on various aspects, including development of methodology, tools and guidelines for stakeholder engagement (Röckmann et al, 2015;Kraan et al, 2014;Voinov and Bousquet, 2010;Sampedro et al, 2019;Macher et al, 2018a;Johnson and Van Densen, 2007;Steins et al, 2020), protocols for integrating fisher knowledge into the decision-support process (Mangi et al, 2018;ICES, 2019),and the role of international science institutions and multi-stakeholder advisory bodies in EBFM in improving uptake of science (Wilson, 2009;ICES, 2018;Ballesteros et al, 2018;Dankel et al, 2016;Vielmini et al, 2017). What is lacking, is experience-based guidance and reflexive approaches to explore roles of fisheries scientists and how interactions between scientists from multiple disciplines, decision-makers or managers and stakeholders from industry and from other sectors could be operationalised towards effective EBFM.…”