Extending our reach: A multi-state collaborative approach to reef fisheries extension

Objectives

1. Objective 1: Gather information using longitudinal surveys. Our first objective is to develop and conduct longitudinal (i.e., annual) surveys of reef fish stakeholders to identify pressing research needs as well as stakeholder attitudes, perceptions and beliefs regarding the management of Southeastern US reef fish species. A common survey instrument will be implemented throughout the Gulf of Mexico (Texas  Florida) and South Atlantic (Florida -- North Carolina). Conducting annual surveys will afford us a unique ability to examine how stakeholder responses change over time. 
2. Objective 2: Refine information during annual Advisory Panel meetings. The second objective is to refine each set of longitudinal survey results synthesized in Objective 1 through annual consultation with an Advisory Panel. The surveys detailed above are a robust and efficient way to sample a large and geographically diverse group of stakeholders; however, the survey results are best applied when combined with in-person discussion. 
3. Objective 3: Communicate information through expanded capacity. The third objective of this proposal is to develop materials, support additional training opportunities and build capacity for reef fisheries extension based on the needs assessed in Objectives 1 (longitudinal surveys) and 2 (Advisory Panel meetings). Conceptually, this objective is the broadest, as it acknowledges the need to share the results of large-scale projects (e.g., Great Red Snapper Count, Greater Amberjack Research Program, South Atlantic Red Snapper Count) while allowing co-PIs from each state the flexibility to respond to the local needs of their reef fish stakeholders as they see fit.

Methodology

Objective 1 methodology – Our first objective is to develop and conduct annual longitudinal surveys of reef fish stakeholders to identify pressing research needs as well as stakeholder attitudes, perceptions and beliefs regarding the management of Southeastern US reef fish species. To accomplish this, we will use an electronic survey instrument. When properly designed and distributed, electronic surveys are an efficient way to collect data over a broad geographic range. This objective will be led by co-PI Scyphers, a social-ecological fisheries scientist with vast experience developing and analyzing fishery stakeholder surveys. These surveys have been used to great effect in several previous Gulf of Mexico fisheries applications. 

Objective 2 methodology – The second objective is to refine each set of longitudinal survey results synthesized in Objective 1 through annual consultation with an Advisory Panel. The surveys detailed above are a robust and efficient way to sample a large and geographically diverse group of stakeholders; however, the survey results are best applied when combined with in-person discussion. To ensure broad representation across a diverse group of stakeholders, we will convene an Advisory Panel composed of commercial and recreational sector stakeholders, state fisheries management representatives and members of the project team. The primary objective of the annual Advisory Panel meetings is to initiate dialogue between multiple stakeholder groups regarding topics highlighted in our longitudinal surveys. Through this dialogue, we can further identify and prioritize needs identified by stakeholders. This approach has recently been used with great success in the Gulf of Mexico: in 2018, federal fisheries biologists and social scientists used participatory conceptual model-building to better understand the effects of red tide on the west Florida shelf. This method not only allows for the inclusion of LEK, but also provides a forum for collecting stakeholder feedback. We have budgeted funds for stakeholders nominated by each Sea Grant program to attend an annual Advisory Panel meeting. We envision that this meeting will take place either in conjunction with one of the biannual meetings of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (either spring or fall), or in conjunction with a Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting. 

Objective 3 methodology – The third objective of this proposal is to develop materials, support additional training opportunities and build capacity for reef fisheries Extension based on the needs assessed in Objectives 1 (longitudinal surveys) and 2 (Advisory Panel meetings). Conceptually, this objective is the broadest, as it acknowledges the need to share the results of large-scale projects (e.g., Great Red Snapper Count, Greater Amberjack Research Program, South Atlantic Red Snapper Count) while allowing co-PIs from each state the flexibility to respond to the local needs of their reef fish stakeholders as they see fit. Develop Materials - We will produce most of our Extension materials in digital formats following the blueprint developed for the Great Red Snapper Count (GRSC). Throughout the GRSC, information was communicated to stakeholders using a series of short “whiteboard” style informational videos, which consist of narrated illustrations designed to condense and deliver research findings in an easy-to-digest format. Support Additional Training Opportunities - In-person fishermen training programs remain a tried-and-true approach for communicating reef fish science to stakeholders. To support additional training opportunities, we will use multiple approaches. For example, Florida Sea Grant will use funding from this project to develop additional training and education modules (e.g., a reef fish-centric module) that will expand upon the existing Florida Friendly Fishing Guide certification program. Through a hybrid approach, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium will use funds from this project to expand upon a recently completed, digitally available textbook for fishermen by offering in-person meetings and field excursions. Build Capacity - To build capacity, we will use funds from this project to support a Sea Grant Fellow. This fellow will work on reef fish-related priorities designated by South Atlantic Sea Grant programs and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC), including, but not limited to, extending science from the South Atlantic Red Snapper Count and Greater Amberjack Research Program. Given the regional nature of this position, the fellow will be housed at the SAFMC and work closely with co-PI Rhodes and South Atlantic Sea Grant co-PIs from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The creation of this fellow is expected to enhance existing SAFMC outreach and communication campaigns intended to engage fisheries stakeholders in reef fish science and management and increase their awareness and understanding of complex issues."

Rationale

Southeastern United States reef fisheries are some of the most commercially valuable and recreationally popular in the country. Across these fisheries, a speciose assemblage is targeted by a diverse and geographically variable group of stakeholders who collectively possess a wealth of local ecological knowledge gained from years on the water. Recently, the results of federal stock assessments for many reef fishes have been at odds with the on-the-water observations of commercial and recreational fishermen, creating a disconnect that erodes stakeholder faith in the credibility of scientific findings. Significant Congressional funding has been allocated to alleviate this disparity (e.g., the Great Red Snapper Count), yet funds to effectively disseminate these scientific findings to the appropriate stakeholders are lacking. Broadly speaking, the goal of the proposed regional collaborative is to build upon the conventional unidirectional flow of information (i.e., from research to management to stakeholder) by working directly with stakeholders on a consistent basis to identify pressing research needs and communicate those needs to the scientific and management community (i.e., from stakeholder to research and management). To accomplish this, we have assembled a team comprised of Sea Grant fisheries Extension professionals from across the Southeastern US (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina). We have complemented these Sea Grant professionals with a social-ecological fisheries scientist, management representatives from the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils and an Advisory Panel of commercial and recreational sector stakeholders and state fisheries management representatives. Collectively, this collaborative will work to gather (Objective 1), refine (Objective 2) and communicate (Objective 3) Southeastern US reef fish knowledge to appropriate stakeholders.