Marine scientists and fishermen rarely agree on the status of fish stocks and the science behind it. In a recent project, ESRC set out to find ways to improve cooperation.
Marine scientists and fishermen rarely agree on the status of fish stocks, and fishermen are generally sceptical to the way they are calculated and predicted. A recent study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in the UK, set out to find ways to improve cooperation.
The study led by Professor Jonathn Side at the International Centre for Island Technology focussed on an inshore creel fishery for lobsters and crabs in the Orkney archipelago. In a series of meetings organised by the study team fishermen were asked to identify future research into their fishery. In addition, questionnaires were sent out to all the registered fishing vessels. The participants identified 30 possible research topics, and a majority of the participating fishermen indicated that they were willing to be involved in the actual research.
The study shows that fishermen are generally more sceptical to fisheries science than science in general, and most sceptical about fish stock calculations. It also shows that they are much more negative than people working in non-fishing organisations, such as government, NGOs and commerce, who generally believe and trust science. The fragmentation of the industry and limited time and funding to attend meetings appear to prevent fishermen to take a more leading role in identifying research priorities. Despite this, the study shows that it is possible to achieve widespread participation and ways to go about it.