A new breed of fishermen and scientist are looking to improve the way the industry contributes to data collection, in response to the need for more data in a world of dwindling support for independent scientific research and monitoring. To make this happen, fishermen need to be supported to:

• Work collaboratively with scientists to design useful research and survey programmes
• Understand how data is used and why it needs to be of suitable quality if it is going to be considered of value
• Collect and record data at the right time, in the right way and for the right purposes

By partnering with some of the UK’s finest fisheries scientists – with a passion for finding new ways of doing science – we were able to draw on a wealth of experience, commitment and creativity to define a set of guidelines that will help underpin industry-based research for the future. The team involved built a set of Guidelines for Industry Science Data Collection through painstaking dialogue and research, resulting in a ‘recipe for success’ which, if followed, ensures that those involved in collaborative fisheries research produce data that has the potential to positively inform and influence fisheries management and policy.

The overarching objective for this project was to take the first steps on a journey toward improving the acceptance and utility of industry data, based on an understanding that there is a pressing need to improve the ways fishermen and scientists work together in general. There are many examples of fishermen and scientists working collaboratively together, but typically the learning from these has not been distilled, even after projects such as GAP2 made such good progress toward better understanding for the issues involved.

The main purpose for this part of a larger project (FSIP) was to:

• Define a set of step-by-step guidelines that would be of sufficient use to support ongoing collaboration between fishermen and scientists.

The issues are hugely complex:

1. Capacity for fisheries science

the call for ‘Big Data’ is increasing – but funds for independent research are going down – the only sector capable of adding capacity to this over-stretched system is the fishing industry itself. Fishermen set-sail on potential ‘research platforms’ each time they leave harbor. Likewise, with an eye for quality control, factories can be efficient biological sampling platforms. Harnessing this potential for the good of fish stocks, the environment and society will be vital for the way our seas are managed and will contribute to ensuring we have ‘seafood security’ for future generations.

2. Fisheries science is complex

Each fishery is different – it has its own challenges, constraints, data gaps and mitigating factors. It is therefore impossible to define a set of scientific protocols – or detailed instructions for researchers and fishermen – that will suit all fisheries. It is possible, however, to define a set of overarching principles which, if followed consistently, will ensure successful collaboration between fishermen and scientists.

3. Historical ‘bad-blood’

There has been a pervading lack of trust and respect between fishermen and scientists, and fishermen and managers. This has grown over many years, and when scientists don’t use data collected by fishermen, or don’t communicate with fishermen about how their data is being used, then this just confirms fishermen’s worst fears:

• That scientists don’t care about fishermen
• That scientists want to shut fisheries down – or reduce them
• That scientists don’t understand the fishing industry

No wonder fishermen have grown suspicious and wary of working with scientists. No wonder fisheries managers struggle to get fishermen to comply with science they (the fishermen) don’t trust.

Scientists in turn are also suspicious of working with fishermen, who have a vested interest in painting a rosy picture of their fishery, which could encourage mis-reporting of data to suit their own ends.

Two sides entrenched in their own beliefs – not particularly useful when there is a pressing need for better data. There was a need for a mechanism that brings all players together to start moving toward more fertile and constructive ground.

4. Empowering all players to get the job done

Designing and delivering industry-science data collection programs requires having the right tools to assist scientists in generating robust scientific evidence, but also empowering fishermen to collect relevant data. The data protocol guidelines described here present the essentials of what it takes to co-design and co-deliver industry-science initiatives, helping to identify those people and institutions that should be involved, and the roles they need to play.

By partnering with some of the UK’s finest fisheries scientists – with a passion for finding new ways of doing science – we were able to draw on a wealth of experience, commitment and creativity to define a set of guidelines that will help underpin industry-based research for the future. The team involved built a set of Guidelines for Industry Science Data Collection through painstaking dialogue and research, resulting in a ‘recipe for success’ which, if followed, ensures that those involved in collaborative fisheries research produce data that has the potential to positively inform and influence fisheries management and policy.

You can access additional resources in support of the Guidelines here.

• Guidelines Primer document
• Guidelines Summary
• Step-by-step instructions on using the guidelines

This is the start of a long and worthwhile journey. Collaboration between scientists and fishermen needs to become the new normal. We are convinced – and determined to see – that fishermen can and will play a central role in fisheries science and management in the future. Both the industry at large and fisheries scientists need to be supported to change the way they work together, and to understand the benefits collaborative research projects can bring. We understand this will be a gradual process, but the following steps need to be taken as this journey progresses:

1. Additional animation to bring the Guidelines to life: well-resourced projects that:
   1. Establish the Guidelines through focused pilot projects that incorporate the Guidelines into specific collaborative research projects
   2. Improve form and function of the Guidelines by moving them beyond a theoretical paper and into life as a well-known and easily-used tool for collaborative science
2. Co-design and Co-development of a UK-wide Strategy for Industry Science and Data Collection:
   1. Discussions and research in to what this Strategy needs to contain
   2. Description and presentation of recommendations and options for action
   3. Convening of a group of focused, creative and determined individuals from within and outside the industry with the remit and authority to take action
3. Training in fisheries science and management:
   1. Empowering leading fishermen through focused training to engage fully with fisheries science and management – take a look at our Fisheries Resource Education Programme!