Reflecting on the importance of open communication and social capital for the co-creation of knowledge in Irish fisheries

Abstract

Fishing industry stakeholders have unique and important contributions to make to fisheries research. Co-operative and collaborative research approaches between science and industry are important to facilitate the documentation of fishers’ knowledge and the co-creation of common understandings. Successful collaborations require open communication, trust and social capital, but numerous barriers exist to establishing these effective partnerships. This paper takes a narrative approach to reflect on the authors’ experiences of engaging and collaborating with Irish fishers in the quest for the co-creation of knowledge, while considering how data from industry can best be used and integrated into scientific processes. This includes reflecting on barriers faced, in addition to motives and opportunities that have enabled this work to progress. Through case study examples, we reflect on issues surrounding misunderstandings regarding the roles of scientists and the scientific process, a lack of transparency, a lack of trust, historical/legacy issues, and contemporary pressures including the COVID-19 pandemic and impacts of Brexit. Building trust and active communication are identified as key elements to effectively co-create knowledge and common understanding. Trust is often developed in an informal setting, but more formalized processes, increased transparency and opportunities to engage, and institutional supports may further facilitate effective knowledge co-creation in fisheries.

Bringing in the experts: application of industry knowledge to advance catch rate standardization for northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus)

“…These data sets contain valuable information about resource species, but are also influenced by the socioeconomic and technical aspects of fishing (Walters, 2003;Quirijns et al, 2008). Thus, it is essential to collaborate with the fishing industry to understand these data, inform analytical approaches, and interpret results (Steins et al, 2022;Calderwood et al, 2023). The statistical methods used for CPUE standardizations are well described (Maunder and Punt, 2004;Bishop et al, 2004;Bishop, 2006;Bentley et al, 2012;Cheng et al, 2023), however, the methods for effectively engaging with industry to identify relevant explanatory variables and interpret CPUE indices are rarely implemented and not well documented.…”

“…The statistical methods used for CPUE standardizations are well described (Maunder and Punt, 2004;Bishop et al, 2004;Bishop, 2006;Bentley et al, 2012;Cheng et al, 2023), however, the methods for effectively engaging with industry to identify relevant explanatory variables and interpret CPUE indices are rarely implemented and not well documented. Fishery data are used extensively in scientific research, but there is limited literature on the science-industry research collaborations that are key to informing the analysis and application of fishery data (Mangi et al, 2018;Steins et al, 2022;Calderwood et al, 2023). In this manuscript, we present recent research on the northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) that sought to establish best practices for gathering information from the fishing industry and integrating that information in CPUE standardizations.…”

Mechanisms and models for industry engagement in collaborative research in commercial fisheries

“…Cooperative research (CR) in fisheries and marine science refers to scientific research conducted in partnership with communities, fishers, or the fishing industry (NRC, National Research Council, 2004). In the latter instance, this integration of industry perspectives, equipment, and skills with scientific approaches, applications, and processes has proven effective for compiling fisheries data (Johnson and van Densen, 2007;Hind, 2015), addressing data gaps (Heimann et al, 2023), generating knowledge (Hartley and Robertson, 2008;Jones et al, 2022), monitoring ecosystems (Olsen et al, 2023), engaging stakeholders (Mackinson et al, 2011Calderwood et al, 2023, and informing management (Wilson, 2003;Baker et al, 2014;Gray and Catchpole, 2021;Mackinson et al, 2023). Science-industry collaboration in fisheries research is gaining further momentum (Steins et al, 2022) and there is increased effort to provide policy recommendations toward facilitating industry contributions to science and management (Murphy et al, 2022;Baker et al, In Press;Steins et al, In Press).…”