Perceptions on improvement Perceptions

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5.4.2 Perceptions on improvement

This study showed that differences exist in perception on management measures. Fishers had a negative attitude towards the berried female measure, while BSC FIP participants chose it as an objective towards improvement. It implies that both actors have different perceptions on improvement. During my research, I collected indications of what fishers perceive as improvement. They appear to emphasize different aspects than the BSC FIP participants. The fishers mentioned several things as improvement, ranging from more yield and less waves to the possession of more traps and the abolition of mini trawls. Putting back berried females does not correspond with their perception on improvement. Fishers do not make the link between putting back berried females and increasing their yield and therefore they do not consider it improvement. I analysed that the difference in perceptions on improvement comes forward from the way the actors capture and process available information; they have a different time frame, spatial reference and choice of comparison. First, the time frame and spatial reference are different for the BSC FIP participants and the fishers due to their daily lives. In their definition of improvement the BSC FIP participants include the sustainability of the crab business for now and in the future. Comparing this with the fishers in Betahwalang shows opposite reasoning. The desires of the fishers are very local oriented and they consider a short time frame of possibly days or months. They would directly influence the catch per day of the fishers personally and therefore their income. Second, the choices of comparison for the status of the fishery are different. As described in chapter 4.2.2 the BSC FIP participants used international information to determine the stock status and to define management measures. The BSC fishers in Betahwalang compare the situation in the fishery and the effect of the measures with their own, individual situation and with that of other fishers.

5.5 Conclusion