\n
Conservation technologies are increasingly being used to address marine issues\, such as bycatch (i.e. the incidental catch of non-target organisms). How can these technologies be invented more effectively and how is adoption best galvanized? This study uses a comparative case study analysis of the efforts to reduce sea turtle bycatch in the U.S. shrimp trawl fishery and dolphin bycatch in the U.S. tuna purse seine fishery. I identify a common profile shared by fishers who invented successful bycatch reduction devices. Namely\, they have extensive experience in fishing and fabrication and have the ability to mentally-model prototypes. The common hindrances in engaging fishers include: selecting fishers as partners based on convenience rather than relevant bycatch solving ability\, differences in cultures of communication between partners\, and failure to appropriately "\;court"\; fishers in accordance with their cultural norms.
\n\n
This presentation offers recommendations for how to identify potential partners that fit the Successful Fisher/Inventor Profile and how to initiate partnerships so as to avoid the common stumbling blocks. This presentation will also present one of the outreach activities yielded by this research: an award-winning science dance about sea turtle conservation. I will discuss the participatory processes I used to co-create the dance\; preliminary findings about the impact of the dance on participants\; and a new experimental research project to examine the impact of science dance on learning about\, empathy toward\, and action to protect sea turtles.
\n\n
The Estuary &\; Ocean Science Center welcomes persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. If you would like reasonable accommodations for this event\, please contact Rebecca Johnson at 415-338-3543 or RebeccaJohnson@sfsu.edu as soon as possible so your request may be reviewed.
\n