Action Research in Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries: Thoughts and Perspectives

The French-Spanish GAP case study is part of a more general movement that aims to link science and technology with democratic and participatory fisheries governance. The stated objective is to ‘bring stakeholders involved in tuna fishing together so that they can jointly formulate proposals for the sustainable management of FADs’. In order to promote such collective functioning, a research project was initiated. As part of it, multi-profession meetings were held and a survey conducted. Taking various points of view into account resulted in reflections on how best to design and carry out activities, as well as how to go about doing action research. From the field, it became clear that a greater flow of knowledge and understanding between different actors is important and necessary. When this happens, action research will bring forth more updated information about actors’ stakes and interests, as well as their positions in the systems of relations. Collective formulations can be produced and reflective stances taken. This participatory process has raised questions regarding the relationship between actors, how they function, and the implications for knowledge mobilisation. It is difficult for an action research project to be timebound like other projects. Rather, action research projects need to be tried and tested at variable densities and rhythms.