Closing the feedback loop: on stakeholder participation in management strategy evaluation1.

Goethel, Daniel R.; Lucey, Sean M.; Berger, Aaron M.; Gaichas, Sarah K.; Karp, Melissa A.; Lynch, Patrick D.; Walter III, John F.; Deroba, Jonathan J.; Miller, Shana; Wilberg, Michael J.

Management strategy evaluation (MSE) is a simulation-based approach to examine the efficacy of management options in achieving fishery-, ecosystem-, and socioeconomic-related objectives while integrating over system uncertainties. As a form of structured decision analysis, MSE is amenable to stakeholder involvement, which can reduce implementation barriers associated with nontransparent decision-making procedures. Based on analysis of three MSE processes (Atlantic tunas (Thunnus spp.), Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), and eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica)), we provide suggestions for improving stakeholder engagement in MSE. By assembling a workgroup and modeling team with diverse backgrounds, including professional facilitators, communication liaisons, and social scientists, dialogue can be improved and an atmosphere of mutual learning fostered. Communication further benefits from clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and terms of engagement for all involved; explicitly and transparently identifying goals and objectives of the MSE before modeling has begun; and, when appropriate, revisiting goals and objectives throughout the MSE process. Although MSEs are not without limitations, the participatory modeling framework, wherein stakeholders are actively engaged at each stage of MSE development, provides a useful mechanism to support fisheries management.

TUNA; CRASSOSTREA; AMERICAN oyster; ATLANTIC herring; SOCIAL scientists; DECISION making; STAKEHOLDER theory

Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, 2019, Vol 76, Issue 10, p1895

0706-652X

Academic Journal

10.1139/cjfas-2018-0162