Logo image
'Quantitative incorporation of fishers’ spatial access priorities into strategic conservation planning and fisheries management
Abstract

'Quantitative incorporation of fishers’ spatial access priorities into strategic conservation planning and fisheries management

Katherine L Yates and David S Schoeman
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Annual Science Conference, 2013 (Reykjavik, Iceland, 23-Sep-2013–27-Sep-2013)
2013
url
http://www.ices.dk/news-and-events/asc/ASC-2013/Pages/default.aspxView
Webpage

Abstract

marine protected areas (MPAs) seasonal closures spatial management plans fisheries management
Both marine conservation and fisheries management are increasingly incorporating spatial tools such as marine protected areas (MPAs) and seasonal closures. To be able to develop spatial management plans that minimise negative impacts on the fishing community, whilst still fulfilling conservation needs, planners need quantitative data on which parts of the sea are most important to fishers. However, these sorts of data are often lacking or incomplete. Here we show how these data can be obtained through spatial access priority mapping (SAPM), a novel method of participatory mapping that can be used to produce quantitative data for any fishery (Yates & Schoeman, 2013). Unlike the use of remote-sensing data, SAPM actively engages fishers, documenting rather than inferring their priorities. The resultant maps provide a clear visual indication of which areas are most important to fishers and where spatial restrictions might cause greatest conflict. We also show how the quantitative data generated by SAPM can be incorporated into planning software, which allows planners to analyse the relative impact of different management options on the fishing industry and facilitates more holistic conservation planning. This research demonstrates how fishers' spatial priorities can be incorporated into management in a transparent, quantitative way using SAPM.

Details

Metrics

1 File views/ downloads
807 Record Views
Logo image