Participatory modelling to support evaluation of management actions for recreational fisheries

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Abstract

Participatory modelling (PM) is a collaborative problem-solving approach that involves shared learning through the development of a model or multiple models with a group of participants and a modelling team. PM has the potential to be used more frequently to address recreational fisheries problems. We focus on our experience working with small groups (usually <40 people) to address natural resource issues. This chapter focuses on building a PM team and the communications that occur before, during, and after a PM process. The participants usually include people like recreational and commercial fishers, members of environmental non-governmental organizations, and fishery managers or other decision makers. Ground rules, expectations, and end goals should be established early in the PM process. We emphasize that benefits arise from including the participants in the development and validation of the models in a process that includes feedback between the modellers and participants. Although participants are ideally involved in all stages, their inclusion during model development and testing can be critical for buy-in within the group. When the modellers listen carefully to participant concerns and respond to those concerns during model development, we have experienced favourable process outcomes such as improved participant engagement and building of trust.

Suggested Citation

Wilberg, M.J., Irwin, B., and Jones, M., 2026, Participatory modelling to support evaluation of management actions for recreational fisheries, chap. 22 of Understanding recreational fishers: Disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches for fisheries management, p. 693-718, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99739-6_22.

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Participatory modelling to support evaluation of management actions for recreational fisheries
Chapter 22
DOI 10.1007/978-3-031-99739-6_22
Publication Date December 15, 2025
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 26 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Understanding recreational fishers: Disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches for fisheries management
First page 693
Last page 718
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