Identifying perspectives and framing attitudes on spearfishing in The Canary Islands (Spain)

Abstract

Spearfishing regulation in The Canary Islands (CIs) has been a conflictive subject for years since it restricts the activity in its spatial access to resources, with proponents both for and against these measures. Understanding the range of perceptions between social groups or stakeholders is important when designing and developing successful management strategies for any activity. Q-methodology is used to explore existing perceptions, or lines of thought, towards spearfishing in the CIs of five spearfishing-related key-stakeholder groups. The results show that the main perception is made up of opposing positions, either for or against recreational underwater fishing, and between the spearfishers and the non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The second line of perception, formed basically by the administration and scientists, embodies an environmental aspect. Perception factor 3, mostly represented by the commercial sector emphasizes the damage caused to this sector. Finally, factor 4 identifies a perception that contemplates spearfishing as a subsistence fishery rather than a recreational one. This study contributes to the scarce scientific information within social research on spearfishing in the CIs and concludes that there is a need for dialogue, which, given their positions and vested interests, should not be led by the sectors directly involved.