Project number: 2015-220
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $51,500.00
Principal Investigator: Melissa J. Nursey-Bray
Organisation: University of Adelaide
Project start/end date: 31 May 2015 - 19 May 2016
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Due to the dispersed context described above (background), there is a need to do research that can connect the needs of fishers and the needs of the community so as to integrate socio-economic objectives with biological ones and build the fishery both internally and externally in relation to its relationships with its constituent communities. To date the management of the MSF and other fisheries has been based on biological imperatives. Yet tension between maintaining sustainable fisheries practice remains while biodiversity and livelihood interests compete. Although best practice is progressively being adopted by management agencies, the move of fisher associations to establish their own social and economic objectives, and ‘own’ these in relation to working with management in the development of harvest strategies, is unprecedented. In order to illuminate the more ephemeral but crucial social and economic objectives, they must first be understood and agreed upon, preferably in consultation with all key stakeholders (Sloan et al. 2014). However, in multi-stakeholder/species fisheries with hundreds of licence holders the sheer diversity of views can confound organic development. The absence of defined social and economic objectives promotes a piecemeal approach to ongoing management, contributing to uncertainty and angst for all stakeholders (Cochrane 2002). To this end, we will apply the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as described in FRDC projects; 2009-073, 2010/040, and 2011/039 to develop a means to rank and compare objectives across multiple disciplines and stakeholders within the MSF. It is a research method that supports objective decision making using several qualitative factors (Lee et al 2012). In this case detailed analysis of an industry wide AHP survey will provide a clearer understanding of the common and conflicting social and economic objectives. This information will also build common ground for the negotiation and agreement required to develop fishery specific harvest strategy options and appropriate social and economic indicators.

Objectives

1. To identify the common and conflicting social and economic objectives for stakeholders within the Marine Scalefish Fishery
2. To inform debate and achieve agreement about a vision for the future and identity of the MSF fishery
3. To develop the capacity of inshore fishers to participate in effective co-management
4. To provide a process/document for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of social and economic performance within the fishery

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-64007-350-0
Authors: Melissa Nursey-Bray Nathan Bicknell Andrew Sullivan Anders Magnusson Julian Morison Meagan Magnusson
Final Report • 2017-06-01 • 2.84 MB
2015-220-DLD.pdf

Summary

The South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) has sustained extensive management change over time, influencing its demographics. Now fishers in the MSF community are dispersed both physically and in perspective. These factors have made it harder for the MSF to connect with and build relationships with its constituent communities. This project evolved due to an industry identified need to develop an objective method for documenting and reconciling fisher aspirations to incorporate social and economic objectives into management of the MSF, to build a more harmonious fishery and consolidate its social license to operate with the wider community.

The project surveyed fishers in the MSF from throughout SA to get fisher’s perspectives on what types of social and economic management priorities need to be included in the ongoing reform process of the MSF. The project also assesses whether there was any possibility of achieving consensus across the fishery on any specific management perspectives and if so, which ones mattered the most. Recommendations about indicators and suggestions for future reform are provided.

Related research

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Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2022-010
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT

Assessment of the interactive effects of climate change, floods and discard stress on the commercially important Mud Crab (Scylla serrata) and Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus armatus) - postgraduate

1. Provide the opportunity for a post-graduate research student to work with industry and managers, gain exposure to stakeholder’s perspectives on the issue and undertake high-quality research that results in the production of scientific outputs.
ORGANISATION:
Southern Cross University (SCU) National Marine Science Centre
Environment