Prioritizing information needs in a well-studied recreational fishery: objectives over data

Research in social-ecological systems (SES) has utilized recreational fisheries, which are tightly coupled human and ecological systems, to study the complex interactions and feedbacks that exemplify SES. Simulation models are useful tools to characterize these interactions and predict patterns. I used an SES simulation model of a stocked rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) fishery in British Columbia, Canada to evaluate objectives, management alternatives, and uncertainty in this fishery. I also calculated the expected value of perfect information (EVPI) on model parameters to identify valuable directions for future data collection. These analyses revealed significant trade-offs between potential fishery objectives, but the EVPI was small, suggesting that quantifying objectives is a more valuable future direction for this fishery than additional data collection. Well-defined objectives would improve managers' ability to evaluate future decisions, but applying this model as a decision tool more generally would also require addressing outstanding uncertainty about its structure.