Difficulties in developing understanding and collaboration between natural scientists, social scientists, and knowledge users on issues of global change in marine socialecological systems include a lack of clarity on the underlying conceptual issues of marine and human community interactions, poor appreciation of the process of knowledge transfer from science to society, and a lack of opportunity to meet and discuss these issues. By “global change”, we include climate change, but also resource over-exploitation, competing uses of the marine environment, changing lifestyles, and the globalization of trade and economies. While the focus of this volume is on climate and environmental change, how these interact with other global changes are important considerations.
This book brings together work in social-ecological marine research that cuts across disciplines, and identifies key next steps and common elements and approaches that promote resilience of marine social-ecological systems in the face of global changes. The book has contributions on conceptual issues relating to social-ecological responses in marine systems to global changes; offers illustrative case studies of specific examples of social-ecological responses in marine systems to significant environmental changes manifested locally; develops a synthesis between natural and social scientists on the topic, and points the way forward with innovative approaches to the use of science and knowledge in management, policy and advice. Case studies provide the raw material for the synthesis and global interpretations. The book stems from a symposium held at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 8–11 July, 2008 that included participation by a wide range of scholars, including natural and social scientists, marine resources managers, and development and community organizations.
World Fisheries is a landmark publication providing essential information for fisheries managers, sociologists, marine scientists, ecologists and environmental scientists. Libraries in all universities and research establishments where these subjects are studied and taught should have copies of this most valuable volume on their shelves.
