Research fatigue’s impact on small-scale fishers’ engagement: A case-study from Azores fisheries

There has been a marked increase in fishers’ participation in fisheries science and management processes. If inappropriate or uncareful, science that over relies on low level participation can backfire and lead to fishers’ research fatigue: a state of emotional and psychological exhaustion that causes fishers to refuse further participation. This study aims to examine how research fatigue has emerged in Azorean small-scale fisheries, and to provide suggestions that address the determinants of research fatigue in the Azores and comparable small-scale fisheries contexts. Group discussions between researchers and fisher representatives provided extracts on fishers’ frustrations with participating in science, which underwent two rounds of thematic analysis. Drivers of fatigue found in the Azores related to lack of dialogue, fishers’ distrust of stakeholders, the opacity of science, tiredness from being consulted, and fisher associations’ inability to handle participation requests. Data also connected to the main drivers of research fatigue in transdisciplinary literature, namely concentration, burdensomeness and usefulness of research. Researchers should avoid over-researching small-scale fishers, envision less burdensome participation, and ensure that fishers perceive participation as useful and aligned with their interests. The Azores highlights how low engagement levels, large geographical distances, poor science outreach, and administrative overload can contribute to research fatigue. Ultimately, fisheries researchers should understand how participation impacts the distinct determinants of research fatigue and take precautions to minimise those impacts, or risk nonparticipation from their fisher communities.