Abstract

Fisher learning exchanges, in which representatives from different fisher communities are brought together to share knowledge have emerged as a key tool for improving fisheries management globally. Organized by fishermen, NGOs and governments to share fisheries challenges and solutions, they are widely considered to be highly effective. Despite this perception and considerable investment in producing fisher-learning exchanges, their effectiveness has not been assessed. In order to develop better understanding of the values and effectiveness and a protocol do so, a National Science Foundation funded workshop was held at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) entitled Fisher Learning Exchanges for Conservation: An Examination of Lessons Learned (FLExCELL) in May 2014. The workshop brought together fishers, NGOs, government managers, and academics in order to share their lessons learned for how to best produce fisher learning exchanges, focusing on what has worked best and what can be done to optimize future exchanges. It became the first ever large-scale analysis of how best to design and produce fisher-learning exchanges in order to improve fisheries management. This presentation will share the outcomes of this workshop and present the path forward to enhancing this widely accepted tool for addressing overfishing and other conservation outcomes.

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