A recent study co-authored by a College of the Atlantic (COA) student and faculty has examined how Maine towns and the state share oversight of local fisheries, finding that strong local management is not always sufficient to ensure success.
Sophia Chivers ’24, along with COA professors Ken Cline and Chris Petersen, published their findings in Marine Policy. The paper, titled "The roles of ecology, legal structures, and threats in maintaining successful shellfish and river herring co-management in Maine," specifically focused on the co-management systems in Washington and Hancock counties.
The authors note that fisheries often face a 'tragedy of the commons,' a scenario where shared resources are depleted without collective rules for conservation. Co-management, where local and state governments share responsibility, offers a solution to this challenge by establishing shared rules.
In their comparison of two such fisheries, the research trio found that shellfish co-management in Maine presents a notably stronger system. It features clearer rules, more effective communication between stakeholders, and a greater sense of shared responsibility among those involved.
Despite these robust local structures, populations of soft-shell clams are currently declining. In contrast, river herring populations, managed under a different co-management framework, are either holding steady or showing growth.
The authors suggest that external threats, such as changes driven by climate and predators migrating into new areas, are significant factors impacting the shellfish decline. These broader ecological challenges, the study highlights, are issues no single town can effectively address on its own.
The foundation for this research originated as Sophia Chivers’ senior project at College of the Atlantic. During her project, Chivers undertook a comprehensive review of existing scientific literature relevant to the fisheries.
Her methodology also involved conducting 18 interviews with various individuals, including fishers, community members, and other researchers. Additionally, Chivers meticulously traced the legal history of both the shellfish and river herring fisheries, delving into records from before Maine achieved statehood.
Throughout the research process, Chivers received guidance from College of the Atlantic faculty. Ken Cline, JD, who holds the David Rockefeller Family Chair in Ecosystem Management and Protection, provided expertise on the legal aspects of the study. Chris Petersen, PhD, a faculty emeritus, guided Chivers through the scientific components of the investigation.
Their collaborative work continued even after Chivers graduated from College of the Atlantic, culminating in both professors joining her as co-authors on the published paper.
Chivers is currently pursuing graduate studies in anthropology at the Universidad Austral de Chile, where her focus involves working directly with coastal communities.
