eCite Digital Repository

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

Citation

Steins, NA and Mackinson, S and Mangi, SC and Pastoors, MA and Stephenson, RL and Ballesteros, M and Brooks, K and McIsaac, JA and Baker, MR and Calderwood, J and Neis, B and Ogier, EM and Reid, DG, A will-o'-the wisp? On the utility of voluntary contributions of data and knowledge from the fishing industry to marine science, Frontiers in Marine Science, 9 Article 954959. ISSN 2296-7745 (2022) [Refereed Article]


Preview		PDF (Published version)
1Mb		  

Copyright Statement

Copyright © 2022 Steins, Mackinson, Mangi, Pastoors, Stephenson, Ballesteros, Brooks, McIsaac, Baker, Calderwood, Neis, Ogier and Reid. This article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

DOI: doi:10.3389/fmars.2022.954959

Abstract

For future sustainable management of fisheries, we anticipate deeper and more diverse information will be needed. Future needs include not only biological data, but also information that can only come from fishers, such as real-time ‘early warning’ indicators of changes at sea, socio-economic data and fishing strategies. The fishing industry, in our experience, shows clear willingness to voluntarily contribute data and experiential knowledge, but there is little evidence that current institutional frameworks for science and management are receptive and equipped to accommodate such contributions. Current approaches to producing knowledge in support of fisheries management need critical re-evaluation, including the contributions that industry can make. Using examples from well-developed advisory systems in Europe, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we investigate evidence for three interrelated issues inhibiting systematic integration of voluntary industry contributions to science: (1) concerns about data quality; (2) beliefs about limitations in useability of unique fishers’ knowledge; and (3) perceptions about the impact of industry contributions on the integrity of science. We show that whilst these issues are real, they can be addressed. Entrenching effective science-industry research collaboration (SIRC) calls for action in three specific areas; (i) a move towards alternative modes of knowledge production; (ii) establishing appropriate quality assurance frameworks; and (iii) transitioning to facilitating governance structures. Attention must also be paid to the science-policy-stakeholder interface. Better definition of industry’s role in contributing to science will improve credibility and legitimacy of the scientific process, and of resulting management.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:collaborative research, fishers’ knowledge research, experiential knowledge, stakeholder engagement, fisheries science, trust, co-production of knowledge, science-industry research collaboration
Research Division:Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:Fisheries sciences
Research Field:Aquaculture and fisheries stock assessment
Objective Division:Animal Production and Animal Primary Products
Objective Group:Fisheries - wild caught
Objective Field:Fisheries - wild caught not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:Ogier, EM (Dr Emily Ogier)
ID Code:154687
Year Published:2022
Deposited By:Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration
Deposited On:2022-12-21
Last Modified:2023-01-12
Downloads:3 View Download Statistics

Repository Staff Only: item control page