Effective Engagement Between Indigenous-Western Science Knowledge Systems in Modern Fisheries/EA Management

There are increasing requirements (legal, social, practical) for meaningful consultation between Indigenous-Western Science knowledge systems in modern North American fisheries and EA management decision-making. From a knowledge system perspective, in order for a Federal/State-Provincial Agency to fulfill its 'Duty to Consult' Indigenous communities on ecological issues in a transparent and accountable manner, the Agency must necessarily fulfill two reciprocal Sub-Duties: (1) meaningful explanation of the Western Science knowledge system processes and associated knowledge on the predicted states of nature, and (2) meaningful solicitation of the Indigenous knowledge system processes and associated knowledge on the predicted states of nature. In both cases, the receiving knowledge system must have effective opportunity to identify questions or concerns about the other knowledge system's processes/knowledge, and to receive meaningful responses to those issues. We present a general framework that focuses on practical fulfillment of these reciprocal Sub-Duties, with emphasis on (a) principles of knowledge system structure and function, (b) effective cross-cultural disclosure of knowledge system processes/products, (c) evaluating reliable knowledge about uncertain states of nature, and (d) the strategic role of learning in Indigenous-Western Science co-management of North American fisheries and EA decision-making.