Members

Section Members are a diverse group scientists with interests in social science, economics, and fisheries management. Our understanding of the roles of fisheries economists and social scientists is as follows:

The role of economists in fisheries management is primarily to assess the change in economic rents that result from alternative fishing management strategies, and to develop strategies for the valuation of various aquatic resources. Measuring the changes in fishery-related business costs and earnings, as well as non-market impacts, are important topics of inquiry. Economists link with social scientists, such as anthropologists and sociologists, to better explain the behavioral patterns of fishery-related businesses and other marine resource user groups in response to changes in fishery management regulations and policy.

The role of cultural anthropologists and social scientists is primarily to assess the socio-cultural and community changes that may result from alternative fishery management strategies. Measuring the changes in fishery and community demographics, employment, and social institutions such as family and kinship, are important subjects of inquiry. Determining the dependence of communities on fishing and the long-term sustainability of rural fishing communities are important areas of research shared with economists and other social scientists.