Abstract
Traditional fisheries stock assessment methods and fishery independent surveys are costly and time consuming exercises. However fishers trained in data collection and utilising other skills can reduce costs and improve fishery assessments and management. A data collection program was conducted by Australian and Indonesian scientists with small-scale Indonesian sea cucumber fishers to evaluate the approach and then capture its benefits. The data fishers recorded allowed for the first stock assessment of this trans-boundary fishery during its centuries-long existence at Scott Reef in north-western Australia. The program also included interviews with fishers capturing the social, economic, and demographic aspects of the fishery. Economic inputs to fishing were complemented by fishery revenue data voluntarily submitted when fishers returned to port and sold their catch. Catch data recorded by fishers demonstrated much higher abundances than estimates obtained using standard visual transect methods and accurately reflected the true catch composition. However, they also showed extreme rates of exploitation. Interviews revealed social and economic factors that would be important considerations if management interventions were made. The program’s approach and the time scientists spent on the fishers’ vessels were key ingredients to fishers’ participation and the utility of the results. Despite the program’s achievements the information generated has not led to improved management or had any direct benefits for the participants. Sustaining the program in the longer term requires that its value is better captured.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 679-692 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2016 |
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An unlikely partnership : fishers’ participation in a small-scale fishery data collection program in the Timor Sea. / Prescott, James; Riwu, James; Stacey, Natasha; Prasetyo, Andhika.
In: Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, Vol. 26, No. 4, 01.12.2016, p. 679-692.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - An unlikely partnership
T2 - fishers’ participation in a small-scale fishery data collection program in the Timor Sea
AU - Prescott, James
AU - Riwu, James
AU - Stacey, Natasha
AU - Prasetyo, Andhika
PY - 2016/12/1
Y1 - 2016/12/1
N2 - Traditional fisheries stock assessment methods and fishery independent surveys are costly and time consuming exercises. However fishers trained in data collection and utilising other skills can reduce costs and improve fishery assessments and management. A data collection program was conducted by Australian and Indonesian scientists with small-scale Indonesian sea cucumber fishers to evaluate the approach and then capture its benefits. The data fishers recorded allowed for the first stock assessment of this trans-boundary fishery during its centuries-long existence at Scott Reef in north-western Australia. The program also included interviews with fishers capturing the social, economic, and demographic aspects of the fishery. Economic inputs to fishing were complemented by fishery revenue data voluntarily submitted when fishers returned to port and sold their catch. Catch data recorded by fishers demonstrated much higher abundances than estimates obtained using standard visual transect methods and accurately reflected the true catch composition. However, they also showed extreme rates of exploitation. Interviews revealed social and economic factors that would be important considerations if management interventions were made. The program’s approach and the time scientists spent on the fishers’ vessels were key ingredients to fishers’ participation and the utility of the results. Despite the program’s achievements the information generated has not led to improved management or had any direct benefits for the participants. Sustaining the program in the longer term requires that its value is better captured.
AB - Traditional fisheries stock assessment methods and fishery independent surveys are costly and time consuming exercises. However fishers trained in data collection and utilising other skills can reduce costs and improve fishery assessments and management. A data collection program was conducted by Australian and Indonesian scientists with small-scale Indonesian sea cucumber fishers to evaluate the approach and then capture its benefits. The data fishers recorded allowed for the first stock assessment of this trans-boundary fishery during its centuries-long existence at Scott Reef in north-western Australia. The program also included interviews with fishers capturing the social, economic, and demographic aspects of the fishery. Economic inputs to fishing were complemented by fishery revenue data voluntarily submitted when fishers returned to port and sold their catch. Catch data recorded by fishers demonstrated much higher abundances than estimates obtained using standard visual transect methods and accurately reflected the true catch composition. However, they also showed extreme rates of exploitation. Interviews revealed social and economic factors that would be important considerations if management interventions were made. The program’s approach and the time scientists spent on the fishers’ vessels were key ingredients to fishers’ participation and the utility of the results. Despite the program’s achievements the information generated has not led to improved management or had any direct benefits for the participants. Sustaining the program in the longer term requires that its value is better captured.
KW - Australia
KW - Fishery dependent
KW - Indonesia
KW - Monitoring
KW - Sea-cucumber
KW - Stock assessment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84953245806&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11160-015-9417-7
DO - 10.1007/s11160-015-9417-7
M3 - Article
VL - 26
SP - 679
EP - 692
JO - Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
JF - Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
SN - 0960-3166
IS - 4
ER -