Assessing the social-ecological dimensions of Dungeness crab fishery closures in Southeast Alaska from analysis of public records

Spatial management of marine resources is of growing interest at local, national, and international scales. Understanding the characteristics of spatial closures that make them advantageous in areas of intense resource dependency is crucial for understanding their utility as a fishery management tool. Here, we examined the process of establishing fisheries closures for Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) in southeastern Alaska through analysis of publicly available records from the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF), a regulatory body that allows members of the public to propose changes to fisheries management. Using 14 years of BOF meeting records, we synthesized a rich dialogue on the social, ecological, and policy dimensions of crab fishery closure proposals. Key themes identified through qualitative analysis of 18 proposals include an emphasis on preserving local access to the fishery, complex social dynamics among user groups, differences in representation by various user groups throughout the public process, concerns around inequitable impacts of closures, and concerns around the quality and quantity of data for managing the fishery. These themes indicate that social needs, rather than ecological concerns, led the justification of proposals. This novel application of public records analysis is a valuable approach for understanding the social and political conditions under which regulatory proposals may succeed or fail, and the role of fishers’ and managers’ values in determining outcomes. Improved knowledge sharing among fishers and management bodies may help to better anticipate and respond to social-ecological change, and address challenges in ways that center community needs.