Toward a Model for Fisheries Social Impact Assessment

Abstract

This paper presents a model for Fisheries Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that lays the groundwork for developmentof fisheries-focused, quantitative social assessments with a clear conceptual model. The usefulness of current fisheries SIA’s has been called into question by someas incompatible with approaches taken by fisheries biologists and economists when assessing potential effects of management actions. Our model’s approach is closer to the economists’ and biologists’ assessments and is therefore more useful for Fishery Management Council members. The paper was developed by anthropologists initially brought together in 2004 for an SIA ModelingWorkshop by the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. Opinions and conclusions expressed or implied are solelythose of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA.