Learning to Manage Together: Adapting to Embrace Differences

The value of combining different perspectives and worldviews in the management of fisheries resources has been recognized globally.  In the inland treaty waters of Michigan Tribal and State of Michigan fishery managers have great potential for collaboration.  In 2007, five Tribal governments and the State of Michigan negotiated an Inland Consent Decree that reaffirmed certain rights of the Tribes and provided for their agencies to conduct biological assessments and restoration, reclamation and enhancement activities.  This Decree ultimately allowed for collaboration of Tribal and State agencies towards more unified management strategies that better meet the needs of all parties and can be designed to be permanent and adaptive. However, it has been indentified that co-management between indigenous and State agencies can be difficult because of these differing worldviews.  Effective implementation of these provisions of the 2007 Inland Consent Decree may not be realized until all parties mutually understand respective management priorities and focus areas. Additionally, it has been expressed by both Tribal and State managers that understanding why these management perspectives are held is critically important to succeed in collaborative efforts. This presentation will define the similarities and differences amongst the agencies through analysis of 24 semi-structured interviews from State and Tribal biologists and administrators designed to explore the concept of how the respective agencies viewed biological assessments and restoration activities.  Finally, this presentation will describe the development of a framework designed to facilitate merging of differing worldviews into a dynamic and adaptive management arrangement.