ABSTRACT
With continued pressure upon fisheries, alongside improved fisheries management in some places, there has been a decline in fish catches with changes in the structure of the ecosystem affecting its' functionality. The use of scientific based indicator frameworks in an attempt to pursue sustainable fisheries is a common trend, however the management decisions are often socially driven and can deviate, or even, conflict with the science. This study aimed to investigate British Gen Z perceptions upon what creates a sustainable fishing industry through a series of three studies. A compilation of 82 statements, derived from practitioner indicator systems, was used by 23 participants in a concept mapping process consisting of five steps; create statements, sort & rate statements, multi-dimensional scaling of sorted units, cluster analysis, and label the clusters. The next stage of the study looked to refine the large number of statements by statistically verifying them with exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory composite analysis using split halves of a sample containing 657 participants and generating a three-factor solution of Community, Ecological Management and, Economic. The domain was then switched to the descriptive typology and a further 179 British Gen Z evaluated the fisheries at Hastings and Brixham based upon case studies which further validated the three-factor solution. The significance of this study demonstrates that consumers, who influence policy and management of fisheries through their purchasing behaviour, interpret sustainable fisheries differently to science which is evidenced by the merging of the elements of ecologically and management.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has affected the pursuit of sustainable development in multifaceted ways; this study investigates Malaysian Gen Z perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemics' disruptions to sustainable development. The exploratory research began with brainstorming from Malaysian Gen Z individuals with the following excerpt, 'The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the world and led to unprecedented change. How do you believe this has impacted either positively or negatively, the global pursuit of sustainable development?' Ninety-eight unique statements were generated with subsequent participants sorting these statements into thematic groups before rating each of them on impact and duration. Subsequently, multi-dimensional scaling and cluster analysis was performed with eight-cluster solution being proposed. This study suggests that the pandemic has contributed both positively and negatively to sustainable development, while also highlighting the duration of these impacts. This community-based participatory research provides a guide for policy to mitigate negative impacts whilst also attempting to fully realise the positive impacts in response to managing the unprecedented effects of the pandemic.
