collecting traditional ecological knowledge as a new way of fisheries governance in galicia, nw...

MARE Conference , Amsterdam 25-28/06/2013Duarte Fernández-Vidal , Pablo Pita, Juan Freire, Ramón Muíño.

Collecting Traditional Ecological Knowledge as a new way of fisheries governance in Galicia, NW Spain

Different spatial management strategies have been implemented in Galicia on the last years.

Background

… to TURFs and co-management for some invertebrates…

… and MPA were introduced.

Background

Many fishers are interested in expanding TURF model.

GAP2 Case of Study in Galicia

Benthic habitats (topography, substrates and vegetation beds).

Resource/stock distribution.

Fishing grounds location.

Initial needs,

Scientific spatial knowledge on the area is limited or non-existent.

problems,

Fishers’ ecological knowledge (TEK) could provide spatial information in a way that is both quick and cost-efficient.

and solutions

Every knowledge is true when it allows make projects and get adaptations (Fourez, 1994)

Using ethnographic tools to discover and record TEK.

Using TEK to map the coastal ecosystems.

Making TEK available by GIS tools.

Translating TEK cartography into scientific knowledge.

Steps

A bottom-up approach Experimental approach to management

Leaders of the fishermen’s asociations (Cofradías).

Biologist or tecnical service of the Cofradías.

Galician Federation of Fishers Cofradías.

Researchers of UDC.

Workshops

The study area

Building collaboration

Defining groups to collect TEK

General interview (25’):

Technical aspects of vessels.

Fleet and gear seasonal distribution.

Target species.

Commercial revenues.

Tools on ecosystem and species mapping

Semi-structured interviews (90’-120’):

Vessel spatial distribution.

Target species distribution.

Gears used over last annual fishing cycle.

Fishing grounds.

Description of seabed.

Nursery habitats.

Relationships between species and habitats.

Tools on ecosystem and species mapping

Data processing on ecosystem and species mapping

Weighting fisher’s data on seabed

Value 1: low activity.

Value 2: medium activity and purse seiners.

Value 3: high activity, divers and shell-fishers.

Data processing on ecosystem mapping

Validating the cartographies

Data processing on ecosystem and species mapping

What we learned

Fishermen involved in other co-management projects more willing to participate.

Clear products generates greater involvement.

Key involvement of Technical Assistance.

We prefer small but diverse than large and non-cohesive.

Trust is increased if the products are owned by the fishers.

www.recursosmarinos.net/gap2www.gap2.eugap2galicia@gmail.com

Contact information GAP2: