The use and influence of scientific information produced by two intergovernmental fisheries advisory bodies, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) in collaboration with national fisheries management agencies in Trinidad and Tobago, were examined. The study used a survey questionnaire to document the role of the fishing industry, scientists, fisheries managers, policy makers, and fisheries advisory bodies in the production and distribution of scientific information. The barriers and opportunities for using information in managing the shrimp and groundfish fishery were identified. Although the publications have increased the knowledge base and strengthened technical capabilities in the Caribbean region, usefulness and influence are still challenged by the level of stakeholder involvement in production of information and the communication of information to all stakeholders.
This graduate research, “Information and Influence in Fisheries Management: A Case Study of the Shrimp and Groundfish Resources in the Brazil-Guianas Continental Shelf,” was completed by Suzuette Soomai and supervised by Dr. Peter Wells (School of Resource and Environmental Studies and the Marine Affairs Program), with Dr. Bertrum MacDonald (School of Information Management) as a co-supervisor and Dr. Robin Mahon (CERMES, UWI) as the external reader. A paper from this graduate project has been published (Soomai, Wells and MacDonald, 2011). The full graduate research study can be downloaded by clicking on this link.
L to R: Dr Robin Mahon, Ms Suzuette Soomai, Dr Peter Wells