Knowledge exchange and catch variability in small-scale fisheries: Insights from the Solomon Islands

We use a unique quantitative dataset from the Solomon Islands to study the extent of knowledge exchange within small-scale fishing communities and its relationship to the variability in fish catches experienced by individual fishers. We focus on the number of social contacts each fisher has for discussing issues related to resource conditions. Results suggest that fishers with no knowledge exchange contacts experience approximately 20 % higher catch variance compared to those who have at least one person with whom they can discuss resource conditions. This relationship is even stronger for fishers who perceive local fish stocks to be declining. However, we find little evidence that fishers with such perceptions are more likely to engage in knowledge exchange. In the Solomon Islands and other developing regions, small-scale fisheries are often managed through community-led approaches, with fishers relying on informal social ties to share information and coordinate resource use. Our study provides new insights into the role of informal knowledge exchange networks, particularly in contexts where concern over stock depletion is shared among community members.