Event Title
Three's a Crowd: Lobstermen, Scientists, Policy Makers and the Management of the Maine Lobster Industry
Location
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Start Date
1-5-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 2:00 PM
Project Type
Poster
Description
Three major groups influence the management of the Maine lobster fishing industry: lobstermen, research scientists, and policy makers. The future stability of Maines lobster population depends largely on its present management, so it is imperative that sustainable practices are developed and followed. Because of their different backgrounds and experiences, each group has their own distinctive opinions on how the industry should be managed sustainably. Lobstermen, for the most part, have no formal education regarding lobster ecology, but they are very observant and have a strong sense of stewardship. Scientists strongly support conservation and many have dire predictions for the future of Maines lobster population. Policy makers are influenced by both of the former groups, but perfect policy compromises are rarely agreed upon. The management of any industry with multiple stakeholders is never easy, but the Maine lobster fishing industry is renowned worldwide for its management successes. This project aims to review the history of the management of the Maine lobster industry and discover what the contributions of lobstermen, scientists, and policy makers are to its success. Analysis will include the benefits and costs of certain management strategies, the views of each interest group, and predictions for the future, as well as suggestions to improve the management of the industry.
Faculty Sponsor
Paul Josephson
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Science, Technology and Society Program
CLAS Field of Study
Interdisciplinary Studies
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
517
Three's a Crowd: Lobstermen, Scientists, Policy Makers and the Management of the Maine Lobster Industry
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Three major groups influence the management of the Maine lobster fishing industry: lobstermen, research scientists, and policy makers. The future stability of Maines lobster population depends largely on its present management, so it is imperative that sustainable practices are developed and followed. Because of their different backgrounds and experiences, each group has their own distinctive opinions on how the industry should be managed sustainably. Lobstermen, for the most part, have no formal education regarding lobster ecology, but they are very observant and have a strong sense of stewardship. Scientists strongly support conservation and many have dire predictions for the future of Maines lobster population. Policy makers are influenced by both of the former groups, but perfect policy compromises are rarely agreed upon. The management of any industry with multiple stakeholders is never easy, but the Maine lobster fishing industry is renowned worldwide for its management successes. This project aims to review the history of the management of the Maine lobster industry and discover what the contributions of lobstermen, scientists, and policy makers are to its success. Analysis will include the benefits and costs of certain management strategies, the views of each interest group, and predictions for the future, as well as suggestions to improve the management of the industry.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/293