From Fish Movement to Knowledge Movement: Science Transfer in the Great Lakes

Project Overview

Timely and relevant scientific knowledge is critical to inform fishery management decision-making. Over the past decade, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) invested millions of dollars in telemetry (fish tracking) infrastructure and projects, giving valuable insights and understanding of freshwater spatial ecology and long-term sustainability of fishery production. Yet, questions remain whether this “disruptive technology” has informed management and policy. In this project, we conducted 50 semi-structured interviews with fishery managers and researchers from across the Great Lakes regions to gain a better understanding of science transfer among Great Lakes fishery management, specifically findings from telemetry science.

Project Objectives

1. Identify barriers and enablers that support or hinder the use and contribution of telemetry findings in fisheries management

2. Understand the landscape of science transfer within the Great Lakes fishery management community

3. Provide recommendations to the Science Transfer Program of the GLFC for improving and targeting science transfer efforts 

Project Team

Other Collaborators: Brian Pentz, Caleigh Delle-Palme, Ellen Marciniak

Project Outputs

Overcoming Bearing Publication

Science Transfer Policy Report

Science Transfer Results Visual Summary

From Fish Movement to Knowledge Movement