Why and how are socio-cultural values relevant for fisheries management in general and for Baltic herring management in particular? Doctoral student Suvi Ignatius discussed these BONUS GOHERR themes in two science events held at the University of Helsinki: 25th Spring Symposium organized by and for the doctoral students of ecology, evolution, conservation and systematics (7th-9th of March), as well as the first annual meeting of the DENVI doctoral programme in interdisciplinary environmental sciences (11th of March). In the latter, she was awarded for the second best student talk.

The presentations were based on the ongoing GOHERR research focusing on the socio-cultural values that guide the use and management of Baltic herring and salmon in different Baltic Sea countries. Ignatius argues that research on stakeholders’ value perspectives is essential for the development of ecosystem-based fisheries management. The ecosystem approach to management requires holistic understanding of the ecosystem, including interactions between society and environment. Additionally, the current emphasis of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy for the regionalization of the fisheries management structures implies taking stakeholders’ values into account in management decisions.

In her latest blog entry, doctoral student Mia Pihlajamäki shares views on stakeholder engagement in environmental research projects, based on experiences from the workshop organized by BONUS GOHERR in February 2016. In addition, she presents a summary of the feedback received from the workshop participants.