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Anadromous fish challenge human jurisdictions and are exposed to cumulative pressures originating in the marine, freshwater, and terrestrial realms. Here, a detailed questionnaire survey to anadromous fishers (river Mondego, n = 35; international river Minho/Miño, n = 38) assesses and compares perceptions on sustainability and management for important small-scale estuarine and inland fisheries in the NW Iberian Peninsula. There are differences in the governance and fisheries management of the two systems, but exploitation patterns are similar. Revenue importance of fishing, professional exclusivity, and geographic mobility in the last two generations significantly decline upstream in both rivers. The intangible "contact with nature" is the most valued dimension of fishing, common across rivers and longitudinal position. A long tradition in the fishing profession and a strong generational continuity are still detected, especially in the river Minho, but there are signs of diminishing likelihood of hand-over to younger generations. Fishers detect environmental degradation (e.g., perceptions of increase in exotic species and pollution in both rivers, increase in siltation in the river Minho) and overexploitation (perception of decrease in allis shad abundance in the river Minho and increase in sea lamprey poaching in the river Mondego) that will require reactive governance under external drivers that intensify such problems. Better communication, to clarify and improve fishery rules, and more deliberation, to legitimize fisheries management and increase its capacity to contribute towards integrated approaches at the level of watersheds, are locally explored solutions that can have global relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anticipating future changes in marine social‐ecological systems (MSES) several decades into the future is essential in the context of accelerating global change. This is challenging in situations where actors do not share common understandings, practices, or visions about the future. We introduce a dedicated scenario method for the development of MSES scenarios in a participatory context. The objective is to allow different actors to jointly develop scenarios which contain their multiple visions of the future. The method starts from four perspectives: "fisheries management," "ecosystem," "ocean climate," and "global context and governance" for which current status and recent trends are summarized. Contrasted scenarios about possible futures are elaborated for each of the four single perspectives before being integrated into multiple‐perspective scenarios. Selected scenarios are then developed into storylines. Focusing on individual perspectives until near the end allows actors with diverse cultures, interests and horizons to confront their own notions of the future. We illustrate the method with the exploration of the futures of the Barents Sea MSES by 2050. We emphasize the following lessons learned: first, many actors are not familiar with scenario building and attention must be paid to explaining the purpose, methodology, and benefits of scenarios exercises. Second, although the Barents Sea MSES is relatively well understood, uncertainties about its future are significant. Third, it is important to focus on unlikely events. Fourth, all perspectives should be treated equally. Fifth, as MSES are continuously changing, we can only be prepared for future changes if we collectively keep preparing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catches in the groundfish hook and line fishery in British Columbia on Canada's west coast have been monitored since 2006 with an interrelated suite of technical components. These include, but are not limited to, full (100%) independent dockside monitoring, full video capture of fishing events and vessel monitoring at sea, 10% partial review of the video imagery from each trip, and full coverage of fisher logbooks. The monitoring also relies on complete retention of the over 30 species of rockfish (Sebastes spp.). Each component, in spite of its weaknesses as a stand-alone monitoring tool, makes an essential contribution without which the overall programme would fail. The programme has surpassed expectations in providing accurate, defensible, and timely estimates of total catch for all quota and many non-quota species. This document summarizes contextual and process ingredients, which contributed to implementation, the key being a "carrot and stick" approach wherein industry support was facilitated by the "carrot" of coincident full introduction of individual vessel quotas (ITQs). The "stick" was that Government support was conditional on improving catch monitoring with the proviso that ITQs would not be considered and the fishery would be closed until the monitoring was improved. Also important was the fact that previous failures to solve management and catch monitoring in this fishery with overly simple solutions had created an understanding by all participants that an effective and lasting solution would be complex and require a major commitment of time and funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]