The Lobster Node of the CFRN: co-constructed and collaborative research on productivity, stock structure, and connectivity in the American lobster (Homarus americanus)

Abstract

Abstract:In 2010, more than 20 associations representing harvesters from five provinces bordering the range of American lobster (Homarus americanus) in Canada, from the Gulf of Maine to southern Labrador, joined government research scientists at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (and one provincial department) and researchers from Canadian universities (two English-and four French-speaking) to establish the Lobster Node. This partnership was formed to address knowledge gaps on lobster productivity, stock structure, and connectivity through collaborative research under the auspices of the Canadian Fisheries Research Network (CFRN), which was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. In so doing, the research partners overcame barriers of geography, language, culture, education, and, in some cases, longstanding disputes around management and conservation measures. This paper reviews why and how the Lobster Node was formed, what it achieved scientifically, what benefits (and challenges) it provided to the partners, and why it succeeded. It concludes by advocating for the creation of a permanent collaborative platform to conduct research in support of lobster fisheries in Canada.Résumé : En 2010, plus de 20 associations représentant des pêcheurs de cinq provinces bordant l'aire de distribution du homard Américain (Homarus americanus) au Canada, du Golfe du Maine au sud du Labrador, se sont joints à des chercheurs gouvernementaux au Ministère des Pêches et Océans Canada (et un ministère provincial) et des chercheurs d'universités canadiennes (deux anglophones et quatre francophones) pour établir le Groupe Homard. Ce partenariat fut formé afin de combler des lacunes de connaissances au niveau de la productivité, de la structure et de la connectivité des stocks de homard par l'entremise de recherche collaborative sous les auspices du Réseau canadien de recherche sur la pêche (RCRP), financé par le Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada. Ce faisant, les partenaires ont dû surmonter des obstacles liés à la géographie, la langue, la culture, l'éducation et, dans certains cas, des différends historiques autour des mesures de gestion et de conservation. Cet article explique pourquoi et comment le Groupe Homard a été formé, ce qu'il a accompli scientifiquement, quels avantages (et défis) il a donnés aux partenaires, et pourquoi cette initiative fut couronnée de succès. Nous concluons en plaidant pour la création d'une plate-forme collaborative permanente pour mener des recherches en appui à la pêche au homard au Canada.

Collaborative fisheries research: the Canadian Fisheries Research Network experience

“…Once there was consensus on the questions, the research methods were designed and developed together by the three partners, with particular emphasis on data collection requiring collaboration with harvesters. This co-construction process validated the research questions in terms of their scientific merit and usefulness to management, solidified the need for all three partners to be involved in carrying out the research, and forged a consensus among them on the importance of the research (Rochette et al 2018). There had to be enthusiasm for the research questions from all three partners for the project to proceed.…”

“…The timing of the opportunity coincided with a need to address applied fisheries issues to promote sustainable fisheries management in a rapidly changing environment and context of diminishing government capacity. The need for collaboration was identified in the DFO 5-year research plan for 2007-2012 (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ science/Publications/fiveyear-quinquennal/index-eng.htm#a5); there was recognition from harvesters of the need for additional research and interest in collaboration; and there was a recognized need to engage the academic community (e.g., Rochette et al 2018).…”

“…To develop a unified network proposal, considerable work including several meetings and workshops involving fish harvester, academic, and DFO representatives was undertaken over 18 months to build consensus on the need for a national collaborative research network by the national organizations and institutions that comprised a steering committee (DFO, Ocean Management Research Network, Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters, and the Fisheries Council of Canada; see for example description in Rochette et al 2018). Had it not been for the existence of these national organizations and institutions from the three sector partners (government, academia, and fish harvester organizations), the CFRN would not have seen the light of day given the highly diffuse nature of Canada and its fisheries.…”

“…Projects operated under memoranda of understanding (MOUs). A Network Facilitator served as the primary liaison with industry to achieve consensus among project partners and ensure harvester perspectives and interests were well represented (e.g., by working closely with the Project Leaders and usually chairing the initial meetings of the projects); to identify and facilitate opportunities for industry participation in CFRN activities; and to participate in Board and Scientific Committee meetings (see Rochette et al 2018 for a full description of the role and importance of the Network Facilitator position). An Implementation Team comprising the CFRN Principal Investigator, Manager, Facilitator, DFO Liaison, and DFO Biologist supported planning, implementation, and reporting of projects and CFRN activities, especially during the early years of the CFRN.…”

“…The Lobster Node united diverse and dispersed fish harvesters and government and academic scientists, with limited history of research collaboration, across all five provinces of the Canadian lobster fishery, and in so doing substantially enhanced academic capacity in lobster research in Canada (Rochette et al 2018). The Lobster Node was the largest project of the CFRN in scope and involvement of partners, and it had considerable success in the co-construction of research objectives and methods for novel case studies on lobster larval biology (http://www.cfrn-rcrp.ca/Public-Project1.3-EN), stock structure, and connectivity (http://www.cfrnrcrp.ca/Public-Project1.2-EN) in relation to lobster management areas.…”