Social science in fisheries management: a risk assessment

Abstract

Today, social scientists are effectively absent from the fisheries management decision-making process — perhaps with the exception of the economic profession. Rarely do sociologists, social anthropologists and political scientists serve in advisory roles vis-à-vis government agencies in the same way as biologists do. If social scientists were to become involved as responsible co-managers, which they often claim that they should, what could possibly be their contribution? I argue that there are at least two areas where social science is of relevance: (1) in the design of management institutions; and (2) as providers of critical feedback to the management process. However, fisheries management could also benefit from the purely intellectual role of social science. Making insights count in fisheries management requires the social scientist to be committed and imaginative. It does not necessarily require direct participation in the decision-making process. There is also a need for the critical, sceptical, independent and unfettered mind. But can the social sciences have it both ways?