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Involving Fishers in Identifying, Selecting and Designing MPAs

Alan Williams and Nic Bax

CSIRO Marine Research, HOBART, AUSTRALIA

Theme: TH2

Commercial fishers are the most frequent observers and users of many marine environments - especially in offshore regions. They have mapped, named and sampled many features of the Continental Shelf and slope that the rest of the community is unaware of. Modern fishers use increasingly sophisticated technology during long periods of time at sea to chart the seafloor, and collectively have knowledge over large areas. Scientists use more sophisticated equipment and methods for mapping, but usually over relatively small areas because they do not have the resources to do more. Scientific observation using hydroacoustics, cameras and physical samplers can provide fine spatial scale resolution of the environment, while larger-scale information is provided by satellite. Fishers' information, based on repeated observations over long periods, charts the environment at an intermediate level of resolution. CSIRO and sectors of the fishing industry are working together to map the seafloor of southeast Australia. This collaboration offers the potential for wide-ranging maps with fine-scale resolution of important habitat features, interpreted through the standard scientific process. Prospectively, these maps will provide the best available information on which to determine the spatial use of seabed habitat. As importantly, the process of involving the fishing industry at all stages of the map development provides them with the information to require that proposed spatial management of their working environment is appropriate and based on sound environmental principles.