FAO Fisheries Circular No. 964
Towards the increased policy relevance of fisheries research
A discussion paper prepared for the Fifth Fisheries Development Donor Consultation
Rome, Italy, 22-24 February 1999
by
Stephen Cunningham
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FAO Fisheries Circular No. 964 Towards the increased policy relevance of fisheries researchA discussion paper prepared for the Fifth Fisheries Development Donor Consultation by |
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FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome 2001 |
| The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. |
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© FAO 2001
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Towards the increased policy relevance of fisheries research. A discussion paper prepared for the Fifth Fisheries Development Donor Consultation. Rome, Italy, 22-24 February, 1999. FAO Fisheries Circular, No. 964. Rome, FAO. 2001. 22 p. ABSTRACT The world's fisheries face a multitude of problems. Overexploitation of fish stocks and overcapacity of exploitation systems are increasingly common, as is the inability to conserve essential habitat especially in coastal areas. Many of these problems are symptoms of the failure to recognize and generate the economic value of fish and associated environmental resources. The potential contribution of research to the development of fisheries policy can be assessed in terms of this eco-nomic surplus potential. The paper discusses a number of ways in which research might make a more effective contribution to policy development. Improvements could be made to prioritization mechanisms and to the linkages between research and policy. Consideration must be given to the role of the State in the financing and delivery of research. Research capacity must then be developed in an appropriate fashion. Some suggestions are also made as to how the performance of the research system itself might be improved. Precise research needs will depend on specific contexts and should flow from the prioritization mechanisms. However, some common problems where SIFAR research support would be useful are discussed, in particular the need for improved fishery management systems and the need to focus research at the correct objectives by distinguishing between goals and constraints. |
2.1 THE NEED FOR AN ECONOMIC SURPLUS APPROACH
2.2 ADVANTAGES OF AN ECONOMIC SURPLUS APPROACH
2.3 THE BENEFITS OF RESEARCH IN ECONOMIC SURPLUS TERMS
2.4 PRIORITISATION AS A PROCESS
2.5 SCOPE OF THE PRIORITISATION PROCESS
2.6 ROLE OF RESEARCHERS IN THE PRIORITISATION PROCESS
2.7 TIME SCALE
2.8 THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFICIENT FISHERY MANAGEMENT
3. INTERFACE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND POLICY-MAKING
4. THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN THE FUNDING AND DELIVERY OF RESEARCH
7. IMPROVING PERFORMANCE OF RESEARCH INSTITUTES THEMSELVES
a) Promote influx of new ideas and approaches by
b) Enhance capacity to formulate and conduct multi-disciplinary research by
c) Enhance systematic evaluation of research units, programmes and staff by
8. RESEARCHERS: INCENTIVES AND EVALUATION
9. NEED FOR RESEARCH INTO ENCOMPASSING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
11. OTHER OBJECTIVES AS CONSTRAINTS ON ABILITY TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SURPLUS