Marine mammal co-management in Canada's Arctic: Knowledge co-production for learning and adaptive capacity

• Main Authors: Dale, Aaron, Armitage, Derek
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Arctic; Canada; Nunavut; narwhal*
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308-597X(10)00206-X

This paper examines the challenge of knowledge co-production and the implications for learning and adapting in the context of a narwhal co-management in Nunavut, Canada. Knowledge co-production is the collaborative process of bringing a plurality of knowledge sources and types together to address a defined problem and build an integrated or systems-oriented understanding of that problem. The paper considers knowledge co-production by examining five interrelated dimensions: knowledge gathering, sharing, integration, interpretation, and application. Voices of hunters, community representatives, and managers engaged in co-management are highlighted to identify primary challenges and opportunities. The analysis reveals how compartmentalized views of knowledge continue to constrain adaptive and collaborative management. An understanding of knowledge co-production processes, however, may help to overcome the resilience of top-down management approaches. Adaptation Collaboration Adaptive co-management Knowledge Social learning Traditional knowledge