Browsing by Author "Acevedo Martínez, Kiara"
  • Publication
    Fishers’ perception of local marine fishery ecosystem in the U.S. Caribbean through social-ecological networks
    ( 2024-05-09) Acevedo Martínez, Kiara ; Cruz Motta, Juan J. ; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences ; Seara, Tarsila ; Quintero, Braulio ; Department of Marine Sciences ; Hernández Giovannetti, Emily Y.
    Efforts have begun in the U.S. Caribbean to develop a fishery ecosystem plan to guide the region’s ecosystem-based fisheries management approach. This project aimed to explore regional differences in fishers’ perspectives on the local fisheries ecosystem to aid the fisheries ecosystem plan in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The project employed a conceptual model methodology, using fishers’ input to understand their perceptions and incorporate their knowledge into developing fishery ecosystem plans. The top relationships with the highest level of agreement were the effects of Gear on Commercial Fishers and the impacts of Closures on Fisheries Resources, as positive relationships. Additionally, the effect of Cost of Materials on Income was expressed as a negative relationship. The non-metric multidimensional scaling showed regions as highly dispersed, indicating a high diversity of perceptions among different groups within the same region. However, Commercial Fishers and Fisheries Resources emerged as a prominent component across various regions, indicating its significance in fishers’ perceptions. While regional similarities exist, the nuanced differences among fisher groups within regions emphasize the importance of considering local contexts in fisheries management.