New Results

Case Studies Progress, April 2009

Eleven GAP1 Case study groups are now approaching the stage of delivering scientific proposals for improved fisheries management in European fisheries. The facilitation of this development was made possible through the regional meetings of the GAP1 project, financed by the European Commission in the 7th Framework Programme. The meetings provided time for a deeper understanding of the different points of views in each group, followed up on progress in discussions and pursued development of proposals. In the process the variety of stakeholder representatives, ranging from social scientists to industrial ship owners were allowed to flavor the development of research subjects, each with their special interest in fishery and fisheries management. The various interests were then harmonized into specific research questions and developed into research proposals accepted by all participants of each case study. Stakeholder groups were highly appreciative of the facilitation of their work.

GAP 1 Case studies Progress summary April 2009 (pdf, 582 KB)

Report Case studies GAP 1 Dec 2008 (doc, 26KB)

Good Practice Guide to Participatory Research in Fisheries Science

The purpose of this report is to provide guidance on good practice for stakeholder participation in fisheries research. The contents summarise and build on the outcomes of a workshop attended by both fisheries stakeholders and research scientists, with input from other invited experts. The Good Practise Guidance is founded on the experienced-based knowledge, views and opinions of the participants and is specifically intended to help fisheries stakeholders and scientists of the GAP1 project to formulate
collaborative research case studies. Together with the experiences learned through planning of the case studies, this document will be used to aid the development of a code of conduct for initiating cooperative research processes.

GAP1 Hotlist of Do's and Don'ts in stakeholder participation

GAP1 Stakeholder Participant: "The hardest thing for scientists is to explain to fishers the long terms benefits”…. “it’s important to learn about ways of working with fishers and how to convince them of the value of science in helping them to conserve the resource”…. “they need to respect traditional/ experienced-based knowledge and see that it can be used in a systematic way valuable to science”…. “Scientists should welcome fishers to science events and come and talk with fishers."

Download Hotlist (doc, 146 KB)

Benefits of Stakeholder Participation

Specific benefits that can be expected to be realised include:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Improving sustainability
• Value for money
• Changing perceptions and attitudes

" Fisheries stakeholders frequently challenge the validity or interpretation of scientific advice because the policy decisions arising from it can have a negative impact on their lives. This ‘tension’ between society, science and policy is particularly evident when environmental sustainability concerns appear in conflict with maintaining livelihoods of fishermen and their industry. Consequently, t he interplay between policy makers, scientists, stakeholders and the public at large is an increasingly crucial part of policy making, for which the process is equally as important as the outcome. Active engagement of fisheries stakeholders through their participation in scientific research provides a way to help reduce tension and build collaborative working relationships that yield long-term benefits to resource management."

Download "Benefits of Stakeholder Participation" (doc, 143KB)

Progress calendar