364
R. Hamilton et al.
Use every opportunity to exchange information and discuss interesting
•
aspects of the life history of locally taken species. This is yet another reason
for interviewers to be informed and prepared.
Ask comparative questions, i.e. ‘more or less fi sh than before?’ and pick large
•
time periods for temporal comparisons (such as decades). If you ask about
proportions or percentages, make sure that this concept is understood.
It may be necessary to talk about ‘maximum’ or ‘best’ catches since average
•
or typical catches may not be well understood or not remembered. Try to
quantify catches in kg or whatever is the local measure that is widely used
(coolers, fi sh bundles, etc.), and catch rates in a consistent way. This will
allow for a quantifi cation and comparison of results.
Don’t just ask which species spawn and when; interviewees may have no idea
•
about this even if they have seen spawning. Ask instead about the direct and
indirect indicators of spawning such as seasonal highs in landings, eggs, concentrations, etc., good and bad seasons for catches. Ask about presence of
eggs, moon phase, etc., behavioural or colour changes, etc. Adjust questions
according to fi shing method.
Could work closely with local Government/NGOs who will later be involved
•
in management while conducting interviews. Often it is better to not be
accompanied by those who usually enforce or get taxes.
It may be better to leave sensitive issues, like income, out of biological
•
surveys.
Make a note about possible reliability or otherwise of interviewee.
•
Don’t assume that everybody can easily read a map or have good recall or
•
follows moon phases.
Write down notes immediately; also allows for refi ning and going back to
•
responses before leaving an area. This is especially important if recording
interviews.
Seek opinion about why changes occur if changes are noted.
•
Be sensitive about diffi culties that might arise due to gender of interviewer/ee.
•
Seek to provide immediate feedback to the community and encourage discussion
•
of interview outcomes before leaving the area.
3. Follow up to a trip
Follow up with any promises made to communities/individuals. People often
•
ask for photos, so be sure to make appropriate arrangements.
Produce a report that is shared with communities and collaborators, and at
•
least provide a preliminary report before leaving the country or very soon
thereafter.
Give presentations on outcomes of work and indicate how to apply the
•
fi ndings.
If appropriate, talk about outcomes in various media.
•
For non-nationals, be available even having left the country, for providing
•
additional information.
Follow up with educational materials if necessary.
•
R. Hamilton et al.
Use every opportunity to exchange information and discuss interesting
•
aspects of the life history of locally taken species. This is yet another reason
for interviewers to be informed and prepared.
Ask comparative questions, i.e. ‘more or less fi sh than before?’ and pick large
•
time periods for temporal comparisons (such as decades). If you ask about
proportions or percentages, make sure that this concept is understood.
It may be necessary to talk about ‘maximum’ or ‘best’ catches since average
•
or typical catches may not be well understood or not remembered. Try to
quantify catches in kg or whatever is the local measure that is widely used
(coolers, fi sh bundles, etc.), and catch rates in a consistent way. This will
allow for a quantifi cation and comparison of results.
Don’t just ask which species spawn and when; interviewees may have no idea
•
about this even if they have seen spawning. Ask instead about the direct and
indirect indicators of spawning such as seasonal highs in landings, eggs, concentrations, etc., good and bad seasons for catches. Ask about presence of
eggs, moon phase, etc., behavioural or colour changes, etc. Adjust questions
according to fi shing method.
Could work closely with local Government/NGOs who will later be involved
•
in management while conducting interviews. Often it is better to not be
accompanied by those who usually enforce or get taxes.
It may be better to leave sensitive issues, like income, out of biological
•
surveys.
Make a note about possible reliability or otherwise of interviewee.
•
Don’t assume that everybody can easily read a map or have good recall or
•
follows moon phases.
Write down notes immediately; also allows for refi ning and going back to
•
responses before leaving an area. This is especially important if recording
interviews.
Seek opinion about why changes occur if changes are noted.
•
Be sensitive about diffi culties that might arise due to gender of interviewer/ee.
•
Seek to provide immediate feedback to the community and encourage discussion
•
of interview outcomes before leaving the area.
3. Follow up to a trip
Follow up with any promises made to communities/individuals. People often
•
ask for photos, so be sure to make appropriate arrangements.
Produce a report that is shared with communities and collaborators, and at
•
least provide a preliminary report before leaving the country or very soon
thereafter.
Give presentations on outcomes of work and indicate how to apply the
•
fi ndings.
If appropriate, talk about outcomes in various media.
•
For non-nationals, be available even having left the country, for providing
•
additional information.
Follow up with educational materials if necessary.
•