Small-scale fishing is a multi-gear activity that focuses on a wide range of species. As there is a considerable diversity of species, it is often difficult to keep track of all of those that are caught, and due to the lack of data or poor quality, most stock statuses are currently unknown around the world. Therefore, local ecological knowledge provided by fishers has been regarded as a valuable source of information to bridge these crucial gaps. This study assesses the vulnerability status of 22 fishing stocks in the Azores, through productivity and susceptibility analyses (PSAs) using two independent data sources: conventional scientific knowledge and fishers’ knowledge data. We created four PSAs with separate and integrated data sources. Although we found some differences in the vulnerability scores and rankings, the risk outputs of the PSAs using independent and integrated sources of data generally match, reflecting a similar pattern trend. The findings of this work suggest that integrating FK may be an alternative to provide good fisheries’ assessment outcomes in the absence of CSK. Overall, this research supports the inclusion of fishers’ knowledge in vulnerability assessments as not only beneficial in the absence of data, but also as a supplement to data that can improve management advice.

The Azorean demersal fishery sector is one of the most important in the archipelago. As a small-scale fishery, it plays an important role in the livelihood of the community, being a source of employment and income, and contributing to poverty alleviation. Because fisheries are a complex system, a multidisciplinary approach that includes socioeconomic indicators is required for a broader assessment of fishery sustainability. This study analyzes the Azorean bottom longline fishery using the Fishery Performance Indicators tool, regarding its ecology, economy, and community indicators. The findings indicated that the fishery is mostly sustainable, although there is still opportunity for improvement. Its ecological indicators had a good performance, mainly due to the effort and work of the scientific community that makes continuous studies to examine the state of its stocks. The economic indicators are in good condition as well, but some obstacles stopped the indicator from obtaining a better performance; mainly the landing volatility and the fishery’s main source of capital (subsidies), which can make the fishery less competitive. Finally, its community indicator had a very good performance, which reflects the fishery’s socioeconomic and cultural relevance for the Azores.

Combining scientific information with fishers’ perceptions may be a robust approach for directing decision-makers working with marine ecosystems. This is particularly the case when baseline data on a vulnerable stock are poor, as the integration of fishers’ experiential knowledge can help fill data gaps, as well as inform legitimate management actions, and empower fishing communities in resource management. This study aimed to analyze fishers’ knowledge regarding the biology (reproduction, growth, and maximum size) and temporal changes in the abundance and size of six commercially important marine species (red porgy Pagrus pagrus, veined squid Loligo forbesii, blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus, blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo, blackbelly rosefish Helicolenus dactylopterus, and European conger Conger conger) in the Azores small-scale communities. Additionally, a comparison between fishers’ knowledge and available scientific information was performed to determine the former’s value and its possible complementarity with the latter. A total of 105 fishers were surveyed in the nine islands of the archipelago. The results demonstrated a reasonable level of agreement between the information from fishers and scientific literature on the species-specific spawning seasons and growth rates. The median values of size at maturity and maximum length were not statistically different between data sources. Most participants indicated size and abundance trends that were consistent with the literature. This study highlights the usefulness of fishers’ perceptions in improving knowledge about species characteristics and temporal changes in commercially exploited stocks, especially when scientific research is limited, but further research should be encouraged to improve the reliability and consistency of these results.

Fishers’ experiential knowledge (FEXK) is increasingly recognized as a potential source of information on fishery resources, particularly in data-deficient scenarios. In the Azores, fisheries are classified as small-scale because around 60% of the vessels are smaller than nine meters in length and target several species. Local communities benefit from this activity in various ways, including cultural aspects, employment, and food security. However, for some commercially exploited resources, information on biological and ecological aspects remains poorly known. This study analysed the potential of small-scale FEXK to supply information on the biology and ecology of commercially important marine species, including veined squid Loligo forbesii, blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus, and blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo. We conducted interviews with fishers on the bio-ecological characteristics of these species and reviewed the scholarly literature on the same subject. The findings indicated that fishers thoroughly understand species movement, growth, diet, and reproductive aspects. Our results confirm that FEXK might be a valuable source of ecological characteristics for these species, hence assisting in managing fisheries in the Azores.