Engaging the Human Dimension of Coastal Research: Small Scale Fisheries Data Collection to Support Management and Conservation in Panama

It is widely recognized that small-scale fisheries (artisanal, commercial, and subsistence) are grossly underestimated in global reports by the FAO, creating serious challenges for resource management and local stewardship.... [ view full abstract ]

It is widely recognized that small-scale fisheries (artisanal, commercial, and subsistence) are grossly underestimated in global reports by the FAO, creating serious challenges for resource management and local stewardship. Indeed, fisheries reform increasingly calls for a better understanding of fisheries data, broadly defined, and is emerging as an important policy tool for sustainability. Panama is no exception. In 2016, a year-long process led by the national government, with funding from UNDP, promoted active participation from industry representatives and civil society to generate a National Fisheries Dialogue report. The report outlines the objectives for future management, including the sustainable use of aquatic resources that guarantees the social and economic wellbeing of the fishing industry. The report also highlights the importance of obtaining better and more consistent data about Panamanian fisheries. As a result, a collaboration between Oregon State University, MarViva Foundation and Rare was established for the implementation of a digital fisheries data collection system that provides systematic data processing and monitoring for small-scale fisheries. Preliminary testing of the OurFish App data collection system was carried out in spring of 2017 in 2 communities of the Gulf of Montijo, Panama. This paper presents key findings from interviews with community members who used the App, including a broader discussion about the challenges and opportunities of the introduction of web-based technologies in rural fishing communities.