Seagrass meadows play a critical role in keeping our oceans healthy and stocked with food, providing valuable nursery habitat to over 1/5th of the world’s largest 25 fisheries. Seagrass meadows are also important to small-scale fisheries, particularly as a place to find and collect a reliable source of food with some countries (e.g., Indonesia) seeing up to 60% of coastal populations dependant on seagrass for access to food.
However, fisheries are more than just sources of food—they are also lifelines for millions of people worldwide, underpinning livelihoods, culture, and well-being. Yet despite their important role, managing these resources, especially in the face of climate change and overfishing, is becoming harder due to a lack of solid data.
This is where Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) could support Fisheries Science.
A recent study undertaken by Project Seagrass systematically reviewed 397 fisheries-related research articles and revealed that Indigenous and local communities hold key insights into the ecosystems they live in. Indigenous and local communities have often been fishing in their local areas for generations and possess detailed knowledge about species behaviour, habitats, and environmental changes which could fill significant gaps in formal scientific research.
The Problem: Gaps Between Indigenous and Local Knowledge and Scientific Knowledge
While the scientific community acknowledges the importance of ILK, a large challenge remains: ILK is largely qualitative, based on observations and traditions, whereas fisheries management is based on quantitative data—numbers, charts, and models.
Despite efforts to utilise information from scientific knowledge and ILK, the integration has been slow with many studies still viewing ILK as something that needs to be validated through scientific data.
The Solution: A New Approach to Fisheries Research
The research highlights the need for more collaborative methods to enhance Fisheries Management by integrating ILK and scientific knowledge.
Rather than simply comparing Indigenous and Local Knowledge to scientific data, we should view these knowledge systems as complementary. ILK can inform fish population trends, help establish marine protected areas, and guide sustainable fishing practices with a greater chance of success.
What’s Next? Moving Towards Integrated Fisheries Management
It is crucial to respect both Indigenous and Local Knowledge and scientific knowledge as equally valid.
By intertwining these knowledge systems, we can build a more holistic and effective approach to fisheries management, ensuring that the voices of Indigenous and local communities are heard and their knowledge utilized.
The next wave of fisheries science should aim to bridge the gap between data-driven science and the rich, qualitative insights from those who know the waters best. The future of sustainable fisheries management depends on it.
More information: Jones et al, New directions for Indigenous and local knowledge research and application in fisheries science: Lessons from a systematic review. Fish and Fisheries (2024) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12831
