After the first full year of data gathering, Trident Systems, the company that developed the observation tool, was asked to produce data sets based on the SNA1 Agreement including how many vessels moved on because they were catching undersized snapper and what volumes of small snapper were being caught by each fishing method. Specific information is confidential to each fisher, but an overall analysis is made public. This is the first time in New Zealand that inshore fin fishers can see the effect of their fishing practices on collective industry catching allocations. They start to recognize how they personally can contribute to sustainability of the snapper stock by changing their practices. New Zealand fisheries are data rich yet it is rarely used to build awareness and facilitate discussions between fishers to bring about change. Fishers involved in science projects are keener to understand the results of the work, are reviewing data and asking questions in a way that scientists are not used to. This review process is challenging and most often face-to-face. Scientists are reporting data to other scientists, but they are also bringing together fishers and providing advice and learnings on how to change fishing practices.

Many communities in our part of the island do not have the capacity (social, financial, educational, technical) to implement activities that will help them improve their livelihoods in a sustainable manner that will also support National Park management; nor to fully participate in Park management. Therefore, the National Park seeks to build local capacity through awareness raising, knowledge building, skills training and project implementation. We conduct presentations in local schools and teacher training workshops as well as community meetings and skills training workshops whether in sustainable tourism and/or sustainable agriculture. We also seek the funds or help groups seek the funds to implement what they have learned or made plans for in workshops. We try to ensure that the community implements activities with minimal assistance, or at least with reducing assistance over time.

The ASDA GIS (Asda = platform in Hebrew) tool for marine spatial planning supports existing layers of information as well as the products of the ongoing planning process in an inclusive, flexible, visual, transparent, and participatory way. It allows experts and professional stakeholders from different disciplines to cross-reference and analyze data, respond and participate interactively, hold dialogue, and exchange spatial and textual ideas and opinions relating to planning the marine space. This tool serves all participants and showcases the plan’s products at its various stages. It provides solutions in three areas of activity: planning, participation, and management. The planning component is designed for professional experts and advisors from different disciplines, enabling group dialogue among experts & flexible and visual exchange of information and ideas regarding marine spatial planning; the participation component is designed for the general public & stakeholders, enabling observation of & reaction to the marine spatial plan’s work products; the management component is designed for decision makers at various levels, enabling spatial and statistical analyses as well as information-based reviews of development scenarios.

Fisherfolk organisations are initiated and developed from collaborative efforts of fishers, existing fisherfolk organisations, academia, NGOs, donors and fisheries management entities. These fisherfolk organisations facilitate participatory representation of fisherfolk in fisheries governance and management by bringing fishers concerns, interests, knowledge and experience into the management considerations. Being linked at national, regional and global levels allow for these organisations to effectively participate in fisheries governance, facilitates communications, capacity building and representation.

Strong communication efforts (exchanges, meetings, popular debates, interactive radio in local languages) throughout the process of establishing and operating Kawawana. This has given fruits, as today other community conserved areas have been created close to Kawawana and more are in progress. .

Using results from the app to pressure for improved conservation. The goal is to focus attention on the plight of the dolphins in the lead-up to the national elections. The goal is to get more marine protected areas (MPAs) and areas where set net and trawl fishing is banned in <100 m areas close to shore where the dolphins live.

With the researchers gaining their MSc degrees and PhD degrees over the first 3 years of the study, we were then able to start publishing papers and to entertain the idea of attending and presenting at international meetings. Meeting at a national venue (Russian biennial conference) led to European Cetacean Society conference presentations which then opened up the main Society for Marine Mammalogy Biennial as a platform for presentation.

Stakeholders were consulted to obtain feedback on relative vulnerabilities. Other related information was also sourced via desktop research and review of journal articles. Three sectors that directly benefit from ecosystem service/function were considered in the modeling: the tourism industry (recreation); the spiny lobster fishing industry (food); and coastal property owners (protection). Climate impacts of concern to those stakeholder groups were discussed. Analysis of the direct and indirect influence of climate factors on ecosystem services/habitats was conducted.

Scientific baseline data of species behavior and environmental impact is used to design appropriate tools for control. The use of these tools is continuously monitored, enabling their assessment and adjustment in an adaptive management process.

After a preliminary assessment by the researcher, a workshop with the PA management is being held. The length is dependent on the number of MEAs as well as the number of active discussants. Tables were already prepared with implementation steps known to the researcher and drafts for recommendations. The content of the tables, as well as missing information, were discussed in detail. Discussion should take place in a spirit of openness and trust. The discussants from the PA management should be aware that results might be published (if planned).