Alternative approaches to assessment (including the use of local knowledge) Patrick McConney, CERMES, UWI Cave Hill Campus

Purpose of this presentation  By the end of this presentation participants will  Be able to ask other presenters questions that both challenge and clarify how useful stock assessment is  Appreciate that stock assessment may not be feasible or necessary in all situations (and to identify these)  Understand a bit about differences between fishery assessment and stock assessment that are important  Have a better idea of how some simple techniques can be alternatives to, or supplement, stock assessment  Appreciate the contribution that local knowledge can make to stock assessment or less formal alternatives  Have new contexts in which to put stock assessment

So what does this fisherman think about selectivity, catch coefficients, fishing effort and responsible fishing?

Some questions to consider (among many)  Since stock assessment is a means to an end, or a tool, do you know what the end or goal or aim is?  If stock assessment is part of a larger fisheries management/governance process how does it fit?  If there is opportunity cost to stock assessment, then what opportunities are foregone for you?  Are there situations in which stock assessment is not at all useful/applicable/feasible/justifiable?  What is the capacity to sustain or adapt various types/methods/approaches to stock assessment?

Can you do stock assessment in a bucket or while at lunch? Share your expert opinion! Cultural preference for whole fish?Catering preference for plate fish?

Fisheries philosophy 101  You cannot manage fish, so you must manage people  Are you really prepared to manage people?  Assessment, by definition, is based upon human values; nothing is “given”, not even what we label as objective  This kicks in before science offers advice

7 “fish” funds Stock assessment is part of fishery assessment Fishing methods Consumer preferences Stock assessment Quality assurance Transport options Management aims/measures Packaging, processing Marketing & distribution International agreements Scientific research The fish chain

The best use to which this fish can be put…tourism use, food security, export, poverty alleviation depends on so many things…stock assessment is just a part

Determining which fisheries are “worth” stock assessment can be a very prickly issue indeed

Including local knowledge

Effectively exchanging information between different knowledge systems is challenging

Combine local knowledge with science information  Climatic conditions  Life histories, cycles  Species harvested  Fishing vessels used  Fishing methods used  Processing of catch  Trade and income  Fish consumption  Alternative livelihoods  Culture and religion

14 Seasonal calendar can be social-ecological

15 Local knowledge aids identification/classification

Mapping the changes that locals know about

Historical transect matrix of trends timeline

References  Berkes, F., R. Mahon, P. McConney, R. Pollnac and R. Pomeroy Managing small-scale fisheries: alternative directions and methods. International Development Research Centre, Canada. 320pp  Bunce, L., P. Townsley, R. Pomeroy and R. Pollnac Socioeconomic Manual for Coral Reef Management. Australian Institute of Marine Sciences, Townsville, Australia.  McConney, P., F. Berkes, R. Mahon, R. Pollnac and R. Pomeroy. Obtaining high quality data and information for management decisions through people-centred processes. Presentation at the 4 th World Fisheries Congress, 2-6 May 2004, Vancouver. [unavailable]