Successful implementation of an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management requires modifications to current management processes, some of which are already in motion. Recognition that poor understanding and inadequate management of stakeholders can impede efficient implementation of management policies means that stakeholders are no longer on the periphery of fisheries research. 'Ecosystem-approach' models and their outputs, indicators, have become prevalent and are important tools for understanding and communicating the condition of system properties. There are three components to the thesis; 1) an analysis of stakeholders, their interests, and categorisation methods, 2) a worked example of the ability of a suite of indicators to contribute practical information to the decision making process using an analogy of Signal Detection Theory and historical data for the Celtic Sea and 3) a Priority Inclusion Tool is proposed, capable of integrating multiple, divergent stakeholder interests with signals from numerous indicators, identifying preferred management responses for each stakeholder. Results from the stakeholder analysis indicate that counterproductive stake holder stereotyping may have occurred previously and adopting evidence-based approaches to stakeholder analysis may reduce subjective interpretation of stake holder interests. The indicator analysis demonstrates the challenge of combining indicator signals on different aspects of the system, i.e. economic and ecological, which may have conflicting implications for managers. A framework is developed to combine indicator signals, determined from their reference values, to evaluate the potential for satisfying a specific management priority. The degree of conflict and agreement among stakeholders can be assessed and visualised from the outputs of the Priority Inclusion Tool. The results from this thesis have significant implications for stake holder involvement and the use of indicators in fisheries management. If the stakeholder-indicator relationship is not given serious consideration in the management process, attempts to implement an EAFM could be ineffective due to a lack of stakeholder support, understanding and compliance.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:680150 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Duggan, Deirdre Elizabeth |
| Publisher | Queen's University Belfast |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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