Work package 4: Co-ordination and linkages between fisheries and socio-economic research, and other disciplines

Objectives

Identify linkages between fisheries and socio-economic sciences, assessing how to achieve better integration of the socio-economic disciplines with fisheries research for fishery management purposes.

Identify socio-economic research programmes where an increased collaboration with fisheries programmes can bring major synergies and progress.

Briefly identify other relevant disciplines outside mainstream fisheries science which have direct or indirect linkages to fisheries (e.g. eco-labelling and food-safety), assess present levels of collaboration, and recommend future actions needed to enhance linkages and coordination.

Description of work

A priority identified by MariFish is to take proper account of research which traditionally has not been considered central to fishery management.  Of the several areas which could be considered, socio-economic research has been identified as the highest priority topic.  The socio-economic tasks undertaken in WP4 will help promote the development of socio-economic research programmes, and its coordination in support of the Common Fisheries Policy in each of the participating member states.  The aim is to advance the theoretical under-pinning, practical application and use of socio-economics for the development, recovery and conservation of fisheries.

Many other science areas are related to fisheries, including food safety, eco-labelling, animal welfare and climate change. A full analysis of these disciplines is beyond the scope of MariFish but a brief overview will be undertaken in order to achieve a more holistic approach to fisheries management.  A core group comprising the work package leader and three additional participants will direct this work package.

It is planned that this activity will be taken forward in close collaboration with the European Association of Fisheries Economists (EAFE) and will involve subcontracting specific activities under Tasks 4.1 to 4.3.

Task 4.1  

The identification of the relevant national socio-economic research programmes  and the status of this research.  The production of a database listing all existing information on socio-economic research on fisheries, incorporated in the MariFish Website.

Task 4.2  

Through a workshop identify the need for socio-economic research to support the (future) fisheries policy.

Task 4.3 

Identify other related disciplines relevant to fisheries. Identification of the relevant elements within these disciplines and indication of their linkages to the fisheries management.

Task 4.4 

Formulation of a high level statement of the priorities in the field of the socio-economic and other research related to fisheries, aimed at ensuring proper integration into fishery management.

Partner Involvement

WP4 is lead by Partner 4, with Partner 9 as the WP Co-Leader.  Partner 6, Partner 10 with partner 17, and Partner 9  will help Partner 4 identify relevant socio-economic research and the running on the workshop.  Partner 9 will undertake Task 4.3, identifying other related disciplines relevant to fisheries.  All MariFish partners will participate in the workshop identifying the need for socio-economic research (Task 4.2).