Identifying perspectives and framing attitudes on spearfishing in The Canary Islands (Spain)

Abstract

Spearfishing regulation in The Canary Islands (CIs) has been a conflictive subject for years since it restricts the activity in its spatial access to resources, with proponents both for and against these measures. Understanding the range of perceptions between social groups or stakeholders is important when designing and developing successful management strategies for any activity. Q-methodology is used to explore existing perceptions, or lines of thought,

towards spearfishing in the CIs of five spearfishing-related key-stakeholder groups. The re- sults show that the main perception is made up of opposing positions, either for or against

recreational underwater fishing, and between the spearfishers and the non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The second line of perception, formed basically by the administration and scientists, embodies an environmental aspect. Perception factor 3, mostly represented by the commercial sector emphasizes the damage caused to this sector. Finally, factor 4 identifies a perception that contemplates spearfishing as a subsistence fishery rather than a recreational one. This study contributes to the scarce scientific information within social research on spearfishing in the CIs and concludes that there is a need for dialogue, which, given their positions and vested interests, should not be led by the sectors directly involved.

La regulación de la pesca submarina en Canarias (IC) ha sido un tema conflictivo durante años, ya que restringe la actividad en su acceso espacial a los recursos, con defensores tanto

a favor como en contra. Conocer el rango de percepciones entre los grupos sociales o stake- holders es importante a la hora de diseñar y desarrollar estrategias de gestión exitosas. La

metodología Q se utiliza para explorar las percepciones existentes hacia la pesca submarina en IC de cinco grupos de partes interesadas clave. Los resultados muestran que la percepción principal está conformada por posiciones contrapuestas, a favor o en contra de la actividad, y entre los pescadores submarinos y las ONG. La segunda, formada básicamente por la Administración y los científicos, encarna un aspecto ambiental. El factor 3, representado por el sector comercial, enfatiza el daño causado a este sector. El último factor contempla la actividad como de subsistencia más que recreativa. Este estudio contribuye a la escasa información científica dentro de la investigación social sobre la pesca submarina en las IC y concluye que existe una necesidad de diálogo que, dadas sus posiciones e intereses creados, no debe ser liderado por los sectores directamente involucrados.