Casting the Net for Next-Generation Leaders

    The input of citizen-activists is often the most important component of a successful fisheries management plan. 

But volunteers in fisheries management may not have scientific backgrounds, an understanding of how government works, or knowledge of how fisheries policy is set. To meet this need, the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network has established the Great Lakes Fisheries Leadership Institute.

"Our goal is to generate a company of well informed fisheries organization leaders," said Phil Moy, Wisconsin Sea Grant Fisheries Specialist and one of the principal investigators on the regional project. "We want to give these volunteers a solid background in fisheries science and Great Lakes management concepts, and help make them more effective leaders."

The institute is directed at people and groups likely to become involved in fisheries management issues-commercial fishermen, charter captains, tribal representatives, sport-fishing associations, science writers and legislators.

Participants in the institute must be nominated by their member organizations and approved by a selection committee. Each participant is asked to pay a fee and will be required to make a commitment to doing a project at the completion of the program. A science writer may commit to writing six fisheries-related stories in the year following the institute, for example.

"Public participation has always been an important aspect of decision-making, especially with regards to fisheries management," said John Schwartz, Extension program leader at Michigan Sea Grant and co-principal investigator on the project. "The involvement of these groups is essential to state agencies because they often provide critical input into management decisions."

According to Schwartz, however, this input can sometimes be contrary to good science.

"The institute will work with up-and-coming leaders on a variety of issues related to fisheries management, from basic science to the political process, to leadership skills," Schwartz said.

"It takes five years or more for a volunteer to become familiar with an issue and determine how best to attack it," said Jennifer Read, assistant director for Michigan Sea Grant and co-principal investigator on the project. "There are a lot of opportunities for volunteers to get involved, but they're limited by the time it takes to get up to speed. The institute will make them more effective more quickly."

The political process is a difficult labyrinth to follow, even for seasoned activists, but especially for the new volunteer. The institute incorporates an entire module on institutional oversight and the legislative process.

"My job is to unravel the mystery of who does what," said Read, who is responsible for institutional arrangements on the project. "It can be a real source of frustration, just trying to determine who is responsible for what."

Read also is creating a "legislative primer," which will teach participants how to get their message across to important audiences.

The $300,000 project is a joint effort of the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network and several federal partners. The grant includes $150,000 for the institute and $150,000 for curriculum development and will be augmented with matching funds from each participating state in the region.

- Jill Ladwig

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Last updated 20 December 2002 by Karl
All contents copyright 2000 University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute

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