A Comparison of Conservation Perspectives Between Scientists, Managers, and Industry in the West Coast Groundfish Fishery

There are several assumptions regarding the behavior and motivations of participants in fishery management that may hinder the effectiveness of the management process. In this research, we examine whether the commercial fishing industry is a homogeneous group whose decision-making is dominated by short-term economic considerations to the detriment of long-term resource conservation. Mail surveys were sent to scientists, managers, and industry members in the West Coast groundfish fishery to examine attitudes on conservation, resource abundance, and biological risk. Results demonstrate that although scientists and industry considered themselves conservation-minded, scientists were relatively critical of industry's conservation ethic. Scientists and industry differed strongly in their perception of resource abundance, but found common ground in their assessments of acceptable levels of biological and economic risks. In general, industry demonstrated considerable diversity in their responses, contradicting assumptions that industry is a monolithic group with little regard for resource conservation. Results indicate a disjuncture between industry's stated concerns and their observed participation in discarding, over-harvesting, or habitat destruction. However, this disjuncture may be the result of misaligned institutional incentives, rather than myopic values and beliefs. This evidence suggests a need to redesign institutions and property rights in order to align the interests of industry, scientists, and managers in conducting effective science and sustainably managing the West Coast groundfish fishery