Fisheries are highly complex social-ecological systems that often face ‘wicked’ problems from unsustainable resource management to climate change. Addressing these challenges requires transdisciplinary approaches that integrate perspectives across scientific disciplines and knowledge systems. Despite widespread calls for transdisciplinary fisheries research (TFR), there are still limitations in personal and institutional capacity to conduct and support this work to the highest potential. The viewpoints of early career researchers (ECRs) in this field can illuminate challenges and promote systemic change within fisheries research. This paper presents the perspectives of ECRs from across the globe, gathered through a virtual workshop held during the 2021 World Fisheries Congress, on goals, challenges, and future potential for TFR. Big picture goals for TFR were guided by principles of co-production and included (i) integrating transdisciplinary thinking at all stages of the research process, (ii) ensuring that research is inclusive and equitable, (iii) co-creating knowledge that is credible, relevant, actionable, and impactful, and (iv) consistently communicating with partners. Institutional inertia, lack of recognition of the extra time and labour required for TFR, and lack of skill development opportunities were identified as three key barriers in conducting TFR. Several critical actions were identified to help ECRs, established researchers, and institutions reach these goals. We encourage ECRs to form peer-mentorship networks to guide each other along the way. We suggest that established researchers ensure consistent mentorship while also giving space to ECR voices. Actions for institutions include retooling education programs, developing and implementing new metrics of impact, and critically examining individualism and privilege in academia. We suggest that the opportunities and actions identified here, if widely embraced now, can enable research that addresses complex challenges facing fishery systems contributing to a healthier future for fish and humans alike.

The breeding behavior and sex ratio variation of the carrot squat lobster Pleuroncodes monodon were analyzed. Specimens were collected from experimental hauls in three acoustic pelagic resource assessment surveys during 2001 off the Peruvian coast. A total of 8517 individuals were differentiated according to sex. Males showed clear sexual dimorphism, while females were divided into ovigerous or nonovigerous individuals. Size did not differ significantly between sexes (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, P > 0.05); average sizes were smaller than 20 mm cephalothoraxic length. The sex ratio indicated that in winter males were more predominant than females (χ 2 test, P < 0.05). Ovigerous females were observed during all the period of study, with major activity in spring, and population dispersion occurred during the breeding season.

ABSTRACT. The historical development of Peru's sardine (Sardinops sagax) fishery between 1978 and 2005 is described from fishery indicators (landings and effort) and environmental indicators (Pacific Decadal Oscillation [PDO] index, Southern Oscillation Index, and Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly) in order to observe the spatial and temporal variations of the fishery. During this period, the fishery indicators showed that excessive fishing pressure caused the drastic decline in abundance, as demonstrated by the low catch levels in recent years. Regarding the environmental indicators, a positive relationship with sardine landing anomalies was observed; however, the PDO index had a significant positive correlation (r Pearson = 0.50; P = 0.0005; n = 45) in comparison with the other indices. The results of this study show that the effects of overfishing and adverse environmental conditions strongly impacted the Peruvian sardine population, with the consequent collapse of the fishery.Key words: Peruvian sardine, fishery, environmental variability, availability, Peru. RESUMEN. Se describe el desarrollo histórico de la pesquería de la sardina Sardinops sagax en el Perú entre los años 1978 y 2005 a partir de indicadores pesqueros (desembarques y esfuerzo) e indicadores ambientales (Índice de Oscilación Decadal del Pacífico [IODP], Índice deOscilación del Sur y Anomalías de la Temperatura Superficial del Mar) con la finalidad de observar variaciones espaciotemporales de la pesquería. Durante este periodo, los indicadores pesqueros demostraron que la excesiva presión de pesca sobre este recurso propició la drástica disminución de la abundancia, lo cual se reflejó en los bajos niveles de captura en los últimos años. Respecto a los indicadores ambientales, se observó una relación positiva con las anomalías de desembarque de sardina; el IODP presentó la mejor correlación positiva (r Pearson = 0.50; P = 0.0005; n = 45) en comparación con los otros índices. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que el efecto de la intensa actividad extractiva y las condiciones ambientales adversas impactaron fuertemente en la población de sardina, con el consiguiente colapso de su pesquería.Palabras clave: sardina peruana, pesquería, variabilidad ambiental, disponibilidad, Perú.

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Increasing attention is paid to the interdependence between the ecological and human dimensions to improve the management of natural resources. Understanding how artisanal fishers see and use the common-pool resources in a co-management system may hold the clue to establishing effective coastal fisheries policies or strengthening existing ones. A more comprehensive planning of the system will also have a bearing on how to reduce conflicts and strengthen social networks. We surveyed artisanal fishers and decision-makers to determine their perceptions about the Management and Exploitation Areas of Benthic Resources (known as MEABR) in Chile’s Biobio region. We performed a field study from November 2018 to August 2019, applying a set of questionnaires to determine the ecological and human attributes that contribute to MEABR outcomes, and then constructed composite scores for those attributes according to a multidimensional scaling technique (“Rapfish”). We find that fishers have different perspectives: surprisingly, women highlighted that the institutional dimension was the most influential on MEABR performance, whereas men highlighted the ecological and economic outcomes. The decision-makers’ role in the MEABR system was considered adequate, but communication and socialization of regulations were irregular. Results also showed that fishers expressed dissatisfaction with illegal fishing practices (poaching), productivity, profits, and conflicts inside and outside the MEABRs. Our study allowed us to better understand how the MEABR has developed in the region. We recommend strengthening local management strategies with particular attention paid to networking among stakeholders, including gender inclusive relationships.