Abstract

Data-deficient fisheries present a problem for management and stock assessment. The Participatory Fisheries Stock Assessment (ParFish) methodology can utilise a wide range of quantitative information including fisher knowledge to overcome this, integrated in a participatory framework. This paper presents the theoretical background to ParFish, outlines the stock assessment models and data types used, how data inform the likely distribution of parameter values in the assessment of the resource, and the tools and approaches for data collection and promoting the involvement of fishers. The theoretical basis for the method is Bayesian decision analysis combined with conventional stock assessment models. Two types of interviews with fishers are used: (i) questions on their current observations and beliefs about the way these experiences might change provide prior probabilities for stock assessment model parameters, where differences in opinion among fishers represent the uncertainty; and (ii) fishers’ preferences for different outcome scenarios provide estimates of utility. Other scientific data can be incorporated in the assessment, as well as data from fishing experiments. ParFish contains a number of innovations that make it easier to involve fishers in management decision-making: incorporation of fisher knowledge into the stock assessment; involvement of fishers in the process; and approaches for communicating stock assessment concepts with fishers and discussing management options. ParFish is particularly valuable for initiating greater co-operation with fishing communities. It improves the understanding among scientists, fishers and managers of the fishery and helps with the identification of appropriate management options, which should improve compliance.

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