Fishermen and Scientists in the Same Boat. A Story of Collaboration in the UK South Devon Crab Fishery

Abstract

The collaboration that forms the basis of the UK edible crab (Cancer pagurus) case study builds on a relationship between scientists and fishermen that was first established in 1996. The emphasis of the case study has been to develop awareness among fishermen of the need to be more involved in the management of the resource on which their livelihoods depend. To engage fishermen in management, we have worked together towards the development of an Individual-Based Model (IBM) of the south Devon crab fishery. The model replicates the dynamics of the fishery with crabs of varying size classes migrating into the exploited area and being removed from the area either as catch, natural mortality or emigration. The interplay between these factors can eventually be used to determine the level of fishing effort the fishery will sustain, once a good stock–recruit function is available. The ultimate aim is to enable fishermen to collect their own catch data and to use it together with the model to estimate a sustainable exploitation rate. This chapter describes how fishermen and scientists have worked in partnership during the case study. Initially, fishermen of the South Devon and Channel Shellfishermen’s Association (SDCSA) were encouraged to participate by the Secretary of their association. Whilst the crabbers were initially passive, a core group became actively involved over the course of the project. Successes and shortfalls of the collaborative process are discussed along with key factors required to engage fishermen and scientists in the successful development of a bottom-up management approach.