This study was commissioned by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and SIFAR (Support Unit for International Fisheries and Aquatic Research) on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research (ACFR). It is concerned with research in the context of fisheries development.
The ACFR acknowledges that the fisheries sector is faced with serious social and environmental problems and that current approaches to research have their limitations. It is recognized that participatory approaches and methods potentially have a greater role to play in fisheries research. This study aims to explore that potential and to suggest how we might move forward.
The first stage of the work involved the preparation of a draft discussion document. Stage two involved the circulation and discussion of the document amongst a Working Group of specialists in the field of participatory research. An internet-based discussion board was used to facilitate open discussion. It was hoped at this stage that a diversity of case study material would be generated from the electronic discussion that could inform the report. For a variety of reasons the case study information generated was limited.
Stage three involved the inclusion of inputs from the Working Group and electronic discussion into a final document that was submitted to, and discussed by, the ACFR in November 1999.
Stage four was the production of this FAO document to encourage wider discussion of the findings so far.
The study is composed of 3 parts and 7 sections. Part A places participation in context and explains its use. Section 1 deals with the concept and history of participation in development. It looks at the approaches and methods used and the reasons for interest in participation as a process. Section 2 looks at the role of participation in relation to research and explores both the levels of participation and conceptual framework for its analysis.
Part B reviews the current usage of participation in research. Section 3 reviews formal research in fisheries, its aims and its effectiveness. Section 4 explores indigenous knowledge in fisheries and section 5 looks at more collaborative approaches.
Part C looks at the options available for expanding participation in fisheries research. Section 6 brings together the future possibilities of greater participation in research, discusses the benefits and issues and begins to evolve a more collaborative/collegial approach. In section 7 the conclusions from the study are drawn together and some recommendations are provided.
The main focus of the report is on experiences in developing countries because this is where much of the innovative work in participation in research is being carried out. However, it is acknowledged that there is also much to be learnt from developed world experience.
The authors would like to thank all those people who gave their time and effort to make comments on the first draft of this document, particularly the ACFR members. Thanks also go to Tim Bostock of SIFAR and Jan Johnson of FAO for all their work in facilitating the discussions of the draft and for providing valuable comments themselves.
