Local and Traditional Knowledge

• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Total Other Support; ahtna; Alaska
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.567.1739; http://doc.nprb.org/web/08_prjs/823_Appendix 1_web.pdf

Summary of Proposed Work: This project will assess the existence and utility of local/traditional knowledge (LTK) and how it might differ from or resemble scientific knowledge of salmon in a particular ecosystem. Although LTK is considered an important source of ecological information, difficulties remain in translating LTK into forms applicable to fishery management. Recent studies conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game demonstrated that Ahtna and fishery managers have different perspectives on the long-term sustainability of the Copper River salmon fishery, which we believe are based on cultural differences and different spatial and temporal orientations. Using a social science method called consensus analysis, we will systematically address these differences in order to understand where the knowledge and opinions of LTK holders and fishery scientists/managers converge and diverge on the subject of salmon biology. Commercial fishers will be included in this study. We hypothesize that the LTK of Ahtna and commercial fishers may resemble scientific knowledge but that long-term experience on the water, culture, training, and spatial/temporal focus will affect each group’s knowledge and opinions about the fishery. The development of systematic methods for the collection and analysis of LTK is critical for finding common ground between stakeholder groups and fishery management. Improving communication between these groups will lead to long-term improvements in the fishery. Results of this study will also add synergy to a collaborative and multidisciplinary research consortium involving ADF&G, Copper River stakeholders, the University of Alaska, and Ecotrust Copper River Program.