Using participatory conceptual modeling to integrate information into fisheries stock assessment

Title: Using participatory conceptual modeling to integrate ecosystem & socioeconomic information into the fisheries stock assessment process

Presenter: Dr. Carissa Gervasi, University of Miami in support of NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center

Abstract: Despite growing recognition that ecosystem and socioeconomic factors strongly influence fish stocks and fisheries, these drivers remain underrepresented in the stock assessment process. We illustrate how participatory conceptual modeling can improve the entire stock assessment to management process by identifying data gaps, elucidating changes in fishing activity and human behavior over time, providing context to help explain model uncertainty and improve model parameterization, and describing feedback loops and unintended consequences of management actions. A case study from the Gulf of America red snapper fishery is used to illustrate the benefits of this methodology. Encouraging participatory conceptual modeling alongside future stock assessments would greatly increase our understanding of the socio-ecological feedbacks that are often critical to management success, and help determine how best to manage fisheries through an ever changing environmental and human landscape.