Potential contribution of the Internet to a global community of practice for fishery management

Abstract

Managing complex socio-ecological fishery systems, following an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, calls for a broad range of information covering many components of the system, intensified sharing of data and knowledge (to accelerate social learning and adaptive management), and a much tighter collaboration between disciplines and stakeholders. I argue that the time has come to establish one or more communities of practice (sensu Wenger) and that the Internet could be used efficiently for this purpose, enhancing the co-evolution of science and decision-making. Important Internet resources exist and can be mobilized, but the contribution of fishery science is still too fragmented and that of the fishing industry is embryonic. This paper suggests a web infrastructure that would facilitate the needed change. © 2011 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.