In GAP2’s first Policy Briefing, we look at how participatory research could underpin the successful implementation of reformed and increasingly regionalized Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Download the full document here.
The Issue
The reform of Europe’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) set the stage for fishery managers and stakeholders within a region to take responsibility for develop plans for managing their fisheries. The new process of regional decision-making is expected to lead to a reshuffling of the arrangements between European institutions, member states, stakeholder bodies and research organizations.
The importance of research in establishing the evidence and knowledge required to address pressing issues like eliminating discards was highlighted at the recent EU seminar on implementation of the new CFP (October 25 2013).
The challenge now faced is how relevant knowledge can be developed, accessed and deployed in a regional context. It raises important questions: who will need research inputs? How will the research infrastructure needed to mobilise the knowledge be supported? How will the knowledge co-produced between stakeholders and researchers be made available to ensure a legitimate, credible and relevant knowledge base?
Partners of GAP2 are working to promote and facilitate productive partnerships between stakeholders, scientists and policy makers, where knowledge is shared to build the common understanding necessary to inform management decisions. The approaches involve:
- Empowering all stakeholders
- Discussing different options based on sound information
- Promoting shared problem-solving and decision-making
- Ensuring a fair, open and democratic process
Through specific case-studies the GAP2 project has shown that participatory approaches can successfully engage stakeholders and researchers in developing a shared knowledge base for decision-making.
To find out more about how participatory research can play a role in building better fisheries policy and learn about related events, read the brief in full here.
The Event
Building on the momentum of the rapidly evolving process of regionalization of the CFP, GAP2 is planning a dialogue meeting to explore how participatory approaches can help in solving the challenges shared by stakeholders, scientists, and policy managers.
GAP2 European Dialogue Meeting
“Putting the science in regionalization: Participatory approaches for the new regionalized CFP”
Wednesday 26 February 2014, Brussels.
The dialogue meeting is expected to bring together participants from Member States, RACs, research organizations (ICES, STECF, EFARO, and Research Institutes) and European Institutions.
The workshop aims to deliver concrete recommendations on the operational and institutional arrangements for a collaborative research agenda in the regionalized CFP, taking into account regional differences.
Stay updated for further updates in January 2014!
