The Role of Oral Histories in the Conduct of Fisheries Social Impact Assessments in Northeast US

Abstract

ThE coNTExT for SociAl impAcT ASSESSmENT In the US and elsewhere, a social impact assessment is required when the government implements regu-lations affecting the human environment. Because there is no standardized approach for conducting social impact assessments, an array of methods and data types are used. While greater validity is cur-rently given to quantitative data and methods, we argue that the use of focused oral histories provides more timely and in-depth information on current conditions and potential impacts than is otherwise available in the limited time frame in which social impact assessments are often conducted. Further, oral histories provide a contextual framework for understanding quantitative results. Here we discuss the process by which oral histories contribute to the conduct of social impact assessments. As a government agency, the National Marine Fisher-ies Service (NMFS) is responsible for the develop-ment of biological, economic, and social impact assessments of each proposed fishery regulation as required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (MSA; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). We will concentrate on social impact as-sessment, although we reference economic analyses. Social analysis looks at well-being, resilience, and vulnerability at the levels of individual, household, community and other social groups such as crews and networks. Economic analysis looks at financial viability at the levels of firm, industry, county, state and region, and net benefit at the level of the nation. These assessments discuss impacts of a proposed regulation by comparing social and economic insti-tutions and processes to: a) where they would likely be under the proposed management regime, versus b) where they would likely be if no new regulations were implemented. Within the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is the additional requirement under National Standard 8 to sustain participation in fishing communities and to minimize adverse economic impacts (16 U.S.C. 1851(2)(8)).