ABSTRACT. The linkage of diverse sets of actors and knowledge systems across management levels and institutional boundaries often poses one of the greatest challenges in adaptive management of natural resources. Bridging organizations can facilitate interactions among actors in management settings by lowering the transaction costs of collaboration. The Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) is an example of a bridging organization that is focused on linking actors within the ocean sciences and governance arena through the use of working groups. This research examines how network connections between group members affect working group functionality and, more specifically, whether cohesive network structures allow groups to more effectively achieve their goals and objectives. A mixedmethods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods, is employed to understand the structural characteristics of COS working groups. The study finds that cohesive network structures are not associated with increased working group functionality. Strong, centralized leadership is a better predictor of working group success in achieving goals and objectives.

SUMMARYBecause the Anthropocene by definition is an epoch during which environmental change is largely anthropogenic and driven by social, economic, psychological and political forces, environmental social scientists can effectively analyse human behaviour and knowledge systems in this context. In this subject review, we summarize key ways in which the environmental social sciences can better inform fisheries management policy and practice and marine conservation in the Anthropocene. We argue that environmental social scientists are particularly well positioned to synergize research to fill the gaps between: (1) local behaviours/needs/worldviews and marine resource management and biological conservation concerns; and (2) large-scale drivers of planetary environmental change (globalization, affluence, technological change, etc.) and local cognitive, socioeconomic, cultural and historical processes that shape human behaviour in the marine environment. To illustrate this, we synthesize the roles of various environmental social science disciplines in better understanding the interaction between humans and tropical marine ecosystems in developing nations where issues arising from humancoastal interactions are particularly pronounced. We focus on: (1) the application of the environmental social sciences in marine resource management and conservation; (2) the development of 'new' socially equitable marine conservation; (3) repopulating the seascape; (4) incorporating multi-scale dynamics of marine social-ecological systems; and (5) envisioning the future of marine resource management and conservation for producing policies and projects for comprehensive and successful resource management and conservation in the Anthropocene.

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a b s t r a c tThis study examines the use of non-governmental organization (NGO) guidelines in a fishery improvement project (FIP) in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery. FIPs recently emerged as a way to assist fisheries in reaching environmental sustainability. The Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, a group of NGOs dedicated to seafood sustainability, created a set of guidelines for FIPs. These guidelines outline the process necessary for FIPs to receive market recognition as moving towards sustainability. Interviews with stakeholders and FIP documents were analyzed to understand how these guidelines are utilized in practice and how this helps fisheries progress toward sustainability. The guidelines focus on sustainability as defined by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification standard, though certification is not required. Though informants were interested in market benefits, none currently desired MSC certification. Informants were partially motivated by the potential to increase their power in the fishery management process. These motivations, in combination with a clear process to identify, address, and monitor improvement needs, aid progress toward sustainability. In addition, insufficient stakeholder identification and interaction has failed to ease tension among FIP stakeholders with a history of conflict over the fishery's management. However, this does not seem to hinder progress. Lastly, though many FIPs are led by NGOs, NGO participation is not required by the guidelines. Key informants identified NGO participation as helpful for providing knowledge, connecting them to other organizations, monitoring progress, and adding legitimacy to their work. Based on these results, recommendations for improvement and future research needs are identified.

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Seasoned conservation researchers often struggle to bridge the research-implementation gap and promote the translation of their work into meaningful conservation actions. Graduate students face the same problems and must contend with obstacles such as limited opportunities for relevant interdisciplinary training and a lack of institutional support for application of research results. However, students also have a crucial set of opportunities (e.g., access to academic resources outside their degree programs and opportunities to design research projects promoting collaboration with stakeholders) at their disposal to address these problems. On the basis of results of breakout discussions at a symposium on the human dimensions of the ocean, a review of the literature, and our own experiences, we devised recommendations on how graduate students can create resources within their academic institutions, institutionalize resources, and engage with stakeholders to promote real-world conservation outcomes. Within their academic institutions, graduate students should foster links to practitioners and promote knowledge and skill sharing among students. To institutionalize resources, students should cultivate student leaders and faculty sponsors, systematically document their program activities, and engage in strategic planning to promote the sustainability of their efforts. While conducting research, students should create connections to and engage actively with stakeholders in their relevant study areas and disseminate research results both to stakeholders and the broader public. Our recommendations can serve as a template for graduate students wishing to bridge the research-implementation gap, both during their current studies and in their future careers as conservation researchers and practitioners.