Marine Planning

Fish SPACE (Fisheries for Sustaining People’s Access through Conservation and Equitable Systems)

Reef fish for sale Photo: A Hooten

WHAT KIND OF TOOL IS IT?

The tool is a software program.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT PARTS TO IT?

The tool includes the Fish SPACE software, user guide and spatial data preparation manual. The software includes a friendly user interface that allows users to upload their data (e.g. maps, fishers), run simulations, and visualise changes in the fish stock and fishing activity in map and graph formats. Users can also save the information for reporting.

The user guide provides instructions on how to use and interpret the outputs of the tool. The spatial data preparation manual presents how the map data are processed for use in the Fish SPACE software.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

Fish SPACE assists users to explore the benefits and impacts of different marine reserve network spatial configurations, with fisheries management strategies. Fish SPACE helps users look at the effects of marine reserve networks and different levels of fishing effort on a particular fish stock.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Users can upload and plug in their data and evaluate different marine reserve design decisions, and fisheries management options, such as catch quotas, to see how these impact the status of the fish stock and its effect on fish catch.

WHEN IS IT USED?

Fish SPACE can be used to communicate, for example, when existing marine reserve policies need to be reviewed, and during community participatory decision-making exercises. This will allow audiences to understand why existing policies are insufficient to support the fishery. Users can also explore complementary fisheries management options (e.g., introducing catch quotas to reduce fishing pressure) in combination with different marine reserve scenarios.

IN WHAT FORMAT IS IT AVAILABLE?

Fish SPACE is available as a Mac and a Windows software application.

WHO IS THE TARGET END-USER?

• Policy makers
• Government and NGO planners undertaking MSP
• Researchers studying marine reserve design

WHAT USER SKILLS ARE REQUIRED?

Some experience in GIS and coral reef fisheries is required to be able to prepare the data, use the tool, and understand its outputs. It is recommended that users implement Fish SPACE with composite teams including experienced GIS staff, conservation and fisheries managers and planners, among others.

WHERE DO YOU ACCESS THE TOOL?

Download the tool using the links at the bottom of this page.

WHAT IS THE COST OF USING THE TOOL?

The tool is open-access and is available free of charge, under the user agreement and stated terms and conditions (see www.ccres.net/terms).

IS TECHNICAL TRAINING OR SUPPORT REQUIRED?

Training in data preparation and tool use is required, but a data preparation manual and user guide are available for individual study.

For more information contact Dr Vera Horigue, University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute.

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