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IdeasFishery: fostering better communication between the various stakeholders
involved in the blue swimming crab fishery of Kung Krabaen Bay, Thailand
 Blue
swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) fisheries represent a major economic
resource in Thailand. However, overexploitation has led to a drop in production
by 50% since 2000. In Kung Krabaen Bay, fishermen harvest this resource
in different fishing areas, from different villages and with different
gears. Their lack of cooperation restrains the development of an efficient
management plan.
To tackle this issue, the tropical ecology laboratory of Chulalongkorn
University together with the Green research unit from Cirad have launched,
in 2010, a companion modeling project. In relation with the local research
study center, this short term project (four months and a half) aimed to
provide a new platform of communication between fishermen, managers and
researchers.
The approach was conducted by Elsa Leteurtre, during an internship with
the Cirad Green research unit. Learning the process, she was assisted
locally by two young researchers who used the companion modeling approach
during their PhD. In one hand, it enforced their ability to transmit the
method and in another hand, it allowed her senior advisor to oversee the
work at distance. As a foreigner in the local context, Elsa collaborated
with Chutapa Kunsook, a PhD student from Chulalongkorn University who
was studying the blue swimming crab population dynamics in Kung Krabaen
Bay.
The approach was conducted in three steps:
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Designing and testing in the lab a computer-assisted
role playing game to simulate the fishery
- Setting up a two days workshop bringing together 22 participants
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Assessing participants' feedbacks by three series
of individual interviews
At the end of the process, fishermen, managers and researchers
enlightened the quality of exchange allowed by this participatory workshop.
It was recognized that the experience contributed to build trust among
stakeholders and promoted social learning. Moreover, the approach stimulated
fishermen's willingness to engage further in collective actions.
For further information:
Elsa's Master Thesis (in English) 
(slideshow in French )
Leteurtre, E. 2010. Simulation & Gaming to promote communication between
researchers, managers and blue swimming crab fishery communities in Kung
Krabaen Bay, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. Implementation of a participatory
process using the Companion Modelling approach. Master de sciences, mention
: Environnement,
Spécialité: EBE (Ecologie, Biodiversité, Evolution),
Université Paris Sud 11, Université Pierre & Marie Curie,
AgroParisTech, ENS and MNHN. 44 pages + annexes.
A poster (in French)
Leteurtre E., Kunsook C., Le Page Ch. 2010. La modélisation: un
outil pour une solution concertée? Exemple de mise en oeuvre pour
la gestion d'une pêcherie. Poster présenté à
la 5ème édition du colloque régional annuel d'ingénierie
écologique, 9-10 décembre 2010, Paris.
| Last update: December
15, 2010 |
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