Phases I&II of the SSRCP successfully raised awareness of the need for, and increased the use of, social science fisheries research to improve fisheries and aquaculture sector outcomes. SSRCP I&ll also highlighted the need for a social sciences reference group for FRABs, researchers, industry and managing agencies, and for coordination of social science fisheries research.
Across this same period the societal needs and drivers impacting marine resource management have increased in importance (Barclay 2012; Mazur, Curtis et al. 2014). Further research activity is needed to address challenges regarding the social impacts, acceptability and sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture and to better integrate research across the social sciences (including economics) and between social and biological sciences. The 2014 FRDC Social Sciences Survey indicated broad support for continuation of SSRCP activity and highlighted the Program’s role in linking social science research outputs with decision-making and representations of the industry, brokering collaborations and in facilitating the uptake of FRDC’s key national interest projects.
While there is clear need for continuing the activities that have been the SSRCP’s remit, there is the scope to extend the suite of activities by working closely with the 'FishEcon' project and, post- 30/06/15, with its legacy activities (in particular the FishEcon Network). Such a partnership will result in efficiencies in the delivery of project activities, including newsletters and other networking activities, and in project administration; provide the opportunity to develop tighter integration between economics and the social sciences in research, extension and capability building.
Final report
• Establishment of a trusted multi-disciplinary reference group for industry, management agencies and research providers alike
• Improved collaborations, efficiencies and impact in delivering the social science and economic RD&E that FRDC stakeholders seek
• Improved networks and capability amongst researchers and professional members of industry and government able to deliver and adopt the social science and economic RD&E required
• A way forward for developing and expanding engagement activities by industry and government to address issues arising from reduced social license and acceptability, based on best available information (the ‘License to Engage handbook’)
• That the FRDC should continue to support the coordination of social science and economics RD&E for fisheries and aquaculture; and, specifically,
• That the FRDC establish a social sciences and economics research subprogram with funds to allocate to RD&E, and in the design of such a subprogram:
o Seek further mechanisms to consult and collaborate with the RACs and IPAs;
o Improve the extension and adoption of major social science and economics RD&E project outputs; and
o Increase awareness of its role and the role of social science and economics RD&E across the broader FRDC membership.
