Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SOCIALSHIFT (Social transformations of marine fisheries)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-09-01 al 2023-08-31
SOCIALSHIFT investigates how fisheries can respond successfully to environmental and social challenges. Due to pressing local and global issues, fisheries are undergoing profound and long-lasting changes. These so-called transformations are hard to predict, difficult to reverse, and can have far-reaching impacts on fish stocks, ecosystems, economic outcomes, and social wellbeing. However, social transformations remain largely unexplored in the marine realm. This project aims to better understand the social transformations of global fisheries and use this knowledge to identify pathways towards sustainability. The objectives of the project are (1) explaining large-scale shifts in marine fisheries based on a new interdisciplinary database, (2) understanding the interplay between people, social transformations and the ecological system, and (3) piloting and comparing methods to visualize desirable futures for marine fisheries. Through the qualitative and quantitative analysis of primary and secondary data in three work packages, as well as the activities in one project management and synthesis work package, SOCIALSHIFT advanced the field of fisheries science, raised awareness of social issues in fisheries, contributed to the understanding of complex systems, and provided guidance to decision-makers on how to steer successful transformations into resilient trajectories.
Work was conducted via four work packages. In the first work package, a comprehensive literature review was undertaken to delve into large-scale shifts in marine fisheries. The researcher developed a meticulous search strategy, retrieved relevant literature, and analysed the data incorporating citation networks and cluster analysis. Utilizing natural language processing, the data was scrutinized, leading to the creation of a detailed manuscript poised for scientific publication together with the underlying database of social transformations in fisheries. The literature review exposed the nuanced nature of fisheries transitions, emphasizing their gradual and often messy evolution over time. It also identified gaps in research, particularly in understanding the interplay between top-down and bottom-up processes, the importance of social relationships, and the prevailing focus on current benefits rather than future-oriented visions. In the second work package, meaningful connections were established with local fisheries and research institutions. An innovative interview guide was developed and tested within a German case study. Narrative biographical interviews were then also conducted in Spain and Peru. The analysis of these interviews uncovered crucial social tipping points within fisheries, shedding light on generational and gender differences. This work further explored the intricate relationship between individuals, social transformations, and the ecological system. The biographic interviews revealed stark variations between different fisheries, emphasizing the structured life history and diverse tipping points; furthermore, generational disparities play a pivotal role in social transformations, with the German fishery illustrating the additional challenges faced by young fishers post-reunification and the Spanish fishery showcasing empowering aspects for women amidst underlying structural injustices; additionally, the Peruvian fisheries reveal a noteworthy absence of recent El Niño events as a significant social tipping point, contrasting with the evolving challenges posed by changing environmental conditions and altered fishing practices. In the third work package, the project ask fishers about their perspective on the future and delved into identifying leverage points for achieving such a desirable future. The analysis yielded that potentially transformative leverage point were overlooked in current discussions. The project yielded the following outcomes and innovations with the potential for practical application, scaling-up, or broader societal impact: (1) Global database on social transformations in marine fisheries, (2) Methodology for studying individual experiences in fisheries via biographic interviews, (3) Grounded theory on t he role of agency at social tipping points, (4) Identification of leverage points for sustainable transformations of marine fisheries, and (5) Advancements in social science methods and theories. Based on the work, the research fellow has led the authorship of several scientific papers, one book chapter and one scientific book review, and co-authored several publications and two book chapters. At the time of publication of this report, four of these papers were published, one in press, four accepted, one under review, and four are complete or nearly complete drafts. Dissemination took also place via twelve talks at scientific conferences and workshops, the project¡s website, social media, and through direct engagement with fisherfolk, including the shared preparation of a photo exhibition.
The project aims are timely and relevant, corresponding to the goal of the UN’s Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) of finding adaptation strategies to global change. The project a) provides key information and novel insights into the dynamics of marine fisheries currently unavailable in official
databases and reports but with potential global effects on fisheries management, b) represents a paradigm shift, interconnecting individual experiences with ecosystem dynamics and their collective impact on social transformation, c) recognizes the spatial and temporal dimensions of social transformations, c) develops and advances mixed and interdisciplinary methods and tools. By intertwining these elements, the project propels scholarly understanding toward an integrated, non-linear, and time-dynamic perspective of social-ecological systems. The project's focus on social-ecological systems and identification of leverage points contributes to environmental sustainability goals, aligning with societal needs for inclusive policies and fostering the well-being of fishing communities, thereby offering broad benefits to society. Moreover, the research program directly aligns with European policy objectives, particularly the Common Fisheries Policy, the Green Deal, Horizon Europe's Cluster 6, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, ensuring a significant impact on sustainable development in the fisheries sector.
databases and reports but with potential global effects on fisheries management, b) represents a paradigm shift, interconnecting individual experiences with ecosystem dynamics and their collective impact on social transformation, c) recognizes the spatial and temporal dimensions of social transformations, c) develops and advances mixed and interdisciplinary methods and tools. By intertwining these elements, the project propels scholarly understanding toward an integrated, non-linear, and time-dynamic perspective of social-ecological systems. The project's focus on social-ecological systems and identification of leverage points contributes to environmental sustainability goals, aligning with societal needs for inclusive policies and fostering the well-being of fishing communities, thereby offering broad benefits to society. Moreover, the research program directly aligns with European policy objectives, particularly the Common Fisheries Policy, the Green Deal, Horizon Europe's Cluster 6, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, ensuring a significant impact on sustainable development in the fisheries sector.