Follow That Fish

8/9/2017  Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR

Shanna Grafeld and Kirsten Oleson (both NREM) are co-authors of the study “Follow that fish: Uncovering the hidden blue economy in coral reef fisheries,” just published in the scientific journal PLoS ONE, which examines the monetary, social, and cultural importance of Hawaiian near-shore fisheries. The researchers conducted a multi-year study tracking the commercial and noncommercial value chains for reef fish. They explain that it is necessary to fully appreciate the many and varied benefits that the near-shore fishery provides to society in order to move towards sustainable management. For instance, did you know that small-scale fisheries support the well-being of millions of people around the world? Important benefits include monetary value, the potential to provide millions of meals a year, and cultural benefits such as the perpetuation of culture, community cohesion, and sharing knowledge with the next generation.