Title : More than a business: Social factors influencing at-sea decisionmaking in the Dutch pelagic fleet
Abstract:
The current paradigm in fisheries management often overlooks the complex social dynamics that drive fishing fleet behaviour, leading to generalized interpretations of behaviour or assumptions in modelling and management that do not fit the local fishing practices. This study focuses on the Dutch pelagic fleet as a case study. Using concepts like communities-at-sea and fishing styles for incorporation into Agent Based Models (ABM), the research aims to understand the social factors influencing the fleet's behaviour. By combining quantitative data with qualitative insights from interviews with industry experts, the study seeks to map communal practices and values within the fleet. This approach attempts to facilitate the need for place-based and context-specific management strategies. The methodology involves three phases: initial orientation using secondary data to map fishing grounds, interviews with industry stakeholders, including fishers, at different levels, to understand decision-making processes and social topographies. Ultimately, the findings will inform the development of an ABM for the North Sea, integrating social dimensions into fisheries management for more sustainable policy practices.
