Neil Davis M.Sc. Candidate University of British Columbia

1. Evaluating Consensus-based Fisheries Management Planning:A Case Study from Canada’s Pacific Groundfish Fisheries Neil Davis M.Sc. Candidate University of British Columbia

2. Setting the Stage • 2006 - integrated fishing begins • Comprehensive reforms to 7 groundfish fisheries • A somewhat unique collaborative planning model • Industry-led, consensus-based, multi-sectoral negotiations • How well did this model work? • A systematic process evaluation • Participants’ perspectives Image: BC Business Magazine 2007

3. Outline • Background • The fisheries & the planning process • Methods • A framework for evaluation • Results • Strengths & weaknesses of the process • Practical Implications

4. Pacific Groundfish fisheries Sablefish Trap Catch Schedule II Catch (Lingcod & Dogfish) British Columbia British Columbia Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean Vancouver Vancouver Data from 1996 - 2004 Data from 1996 - 2004 Maps: DFO Mapster 2007

5. Pacific Groundfish fisheries Rockfish Catch (directed) Trawl Catch British Columbia British Columbia Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean Vancouver Vancouver Data from 1993 - 2004 Data from 1996 - 2004 Maps: DFO Mapster 2007

6. Pacific Groundfish Fisheries 2005 Grand Total: $326 000 000 (DFO 2005)

7. Groundfish Sectors (Pre-integration) • Numbers are averages of 2002 – 2005 • (DFO Regional Data Unit 2007)

8. Advisory Process Structure DFO agenda: • Conserve rockfish • Accountability & monitoring as principles for reform 2 advisory committees: • Commercial Groundfish Integrated Advisory Committee • Broad stakeholder representation • Provide overarching policy direction & advice • Commercial Industry Caucus (CIC) • Commercial fishery & processor representatives • Develop a strategy that addresses DFO’s criteria

9. Evaluation Framework Fairness & Effectiveness Process Structure Decision-making Support Participant Conduct • Clear Purpose • Incentive to Participate • Representation • Procedural Framework • Continuous Involvement • Scope • Facilitation • Equal Opportunity • Freedom to Explore • Transparency • Information • Financial & human resources • Time • Commitment • Personal Conduct

10. Methods • Semi-structured interviews • 16 of 20 primary participants • all 7 commercial sectors • Questions: • Performance on criteria • Additional elements • Strengths and weaknesses • Analysis: • Coding transcripts • Aggregating & summing responses Image: Canadian Sablefish Association

11. Results

12. Strengths of the Process aNumber of respondents that volunteered this element as a strength

13. Weaknesses of the Process aNumber of respondents that volunteered this element as a weakness

14. Influential Elements Outside the Framework • High quality individuals • Lead by example • Innovate & cooperate • Non confrontational • Prior experience • Positive & negative experiences are both motivators Image: US Environmental Protection Agency

15. Prior Experiences “I went through the salmon fiasco in the 90s…I watched every fishery I’d ever been involved with disappear, and tried every organisational framework I could think of to try and stop it from happening and failed at every one of them. And we're all in the same boat. We’re all sitting there seeing public pressure, environmental concerns, you name it. International treaty issues, aboriginal issues…if you don't organise and work together you're definitely going to be wiped out.” • Lou, CIC member

16. Implications for Practice • “The hammer”…and a seat cushion • Success is not achieved through design alone • Individuals & experiences • Government’s multiple roles • Support vs. manipulation • Limitations of study • Legitimacy beyond CIC? Image: DFO Pacific

17. Thank you Questions? ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BC Ministry of Environment UBC University Graduate Fellowship program Donald S. McPhee Fellowship program OMRN National Secretariat Dr. Paul Wood, UBC Neil Davis M.Sc. Candidate University of British Columbia

18. Estimated bycatch Modified from Koolman et al. (2007)