Fisheries, Fishermen, and Fishing Communities: Socioeconomic Perspectives on the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii

Moderator: John C. Whitehead
Email: whiteheadjc@appstate.edu

Date: Thursday, September 15, 2005
Time: 8:00 am to 5:40 pm
Location: Voth Hall

Socioeconomic analysis is needed by fisheries managers to better understand the people they are managing. The purpose of this symposium is to bring together social scientists from various disciplines, academic institutions, and government agencies. In this way, we develop an understanding of Pacific fisheries and fisheries management that is greater than the sum of its individual disciplinary and jurisdictional parts. This symposium illustrates the importance of multidisciplinary research and understanding. Economists link with anthropologists and sociologists to better explain the behavioral patterns of fishery-related businesses and other resource user groups in response to changes in regulations and policy. Anthropologists and sociologists assess the socio-cultural and community changes that result from changes in regulations and policy. This symposium will demonstrate the value of using social and economic concepts and analysis methods for fishery and aquatic habitat issues. Applications are to commercial and recreational fisheries in Alaska, Hawaii, and the west coast of the continental United States. The symposium begins with an investigation of the economic and social impacts of aquaculture. Next, we characterize the fishing communities from a socioeconomic perspective. We then determine the impacts of alternative commercial fishery management regimes on the commercial fishing industry, fishing communities and non-target species. We consider ethnic and labor issues in commercial fisheries. Finally, we address the economic value of marine recreational fishing. This symposium is sponsored by the AFS Socioeconomics Section. The Socioeconomics Section provides a forum within AFS for the multidisciplinary discussion of social and economic policy and research issues related to fisheries management. This symposium will help to increase the understanding and use of social science information within the fisheries management community and build greater professional contacts between social scientists and fishery resource managers.

Link to list of presentations in this symposium

Sponsor:

AFS Socioeconomics Section