A synthesis of research into marine small-scale fishers’ operational behaviour

Understanding of the current landscape and focus of peer-reviewed research on small-scale fisheries (SSF) operational behaviour is lacking despite its importance for management and guiding future research efforts. To address this knowledge gap, we performed a structured review to synthesise available data in the peer-reviewed literature. Published studies including metrics of SSF behaviour are relatively contemporary, with the first published in 2005 and 87 % (n = 68) published after 2011, and geographically limited, with 78 publications from 41 countries and 74 % of studies (n = 58) focused on SSF in upper-middle and high-income countries. Furthermore, 77 % of studies (n = 60) included ≤ 2 behavioural metrics, providing limited insights into SSF operational behaviour. Nonetheless, the literature review revealed a high degree of variability in fisher behaviour with trips ranging between 2 and 306 km (median = 65 km [IQR ± 76 km], n = 29 studies) and ranging between 1 and 648 hours in duration (median = 16 hrs [IQR ± 63 hrs], n = 32 studies). This variability was influenced by vessel length and the economic classification of a country, with larger vessels and fishers from lower-middle income countries travelling further than fishers in low-income and upper-middle-income countries. This is the first synthesis of peer-reviewed literature that provides insights into research on the operational behaviour of SSF; and reinforces calls for more directed research and improved reporting of behavioural metrics to help generate robust and comparable data to industrial fisheries that will enhance equity in decision-making. • Small scale fisheries (SSF) peer reviewed research is relatively young and under-representative of certain regions. • There is a high degree of variability in fishers’ operational behaviours which should be accounted for to avoid negative consequences. • The operational behaviour of fishers is influenced by the economic status of a country and vessel size. • Further research is needed to ensure that policy and management decisions accurately reflect spatiotemporal patterns of SSF resource use.