@article{fdi:010094880,
  title = {{M}apping place names for small-scale fisheries evaluation},
  author = {{R}andriatsara, {R}. {M}. and {B}ehivoke, {F}. and {R}amahatratra, {F}. and {M}ahafina, {J}. and {L}amy, {T}homas and {L}{\'e}opold, {M}arc},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{F}ishers' spatial knowledge encompasses a diverse array of social, ecological, technical, experiential, and learning knowledge derived from local environmental and sociocultural contexts. {I}n this study, we used a transdisciplinary framework to shed light on place names of fishing grounds in the context of small-scale fisheries through a case study in {M}adagascar. {F}irst, we jointly monitored fishing boat trajectories based on {GPS} tracking and recorded the vernacular names of fishing sites in a coral reef fishery from {M}ay 2018 to {A}pril 2019. {T}his data was processed through spatial analysis to assess the dimensions of each named fishing site. {A} focus group discussion was conducted with fishers to determine the literal meanings of the toponyms (place names) in the local language. {A} total of 570 fishers (totaling 15,904 fishing trips) using five gear types were surveyed in eight communities. {W}e identified 397 fishing sites over about 250 km2, 304 of which (76.6%) were mapped. {O}verall, 371 toponyms (93.4%) were interpreted and categorized based on geographical features (n = 222), biodiversity (n = 86), and maritime uses (n = 63). {T}he dimensions of the fishing sites varied significantly from 0.01 to 11.7 km2, following spatially-explicit fishing distribution patterns and the level of precision of the delimitation method. {M}ost fishing locations (63.3% of the total fishing grounds) were associated with multiple place names, particularly in heavily-targeted areas, indicating that individual fishers typically have their own names for their fishing sites. {T}his study demonstrates that recording boat movements and vernacular toponyms simultaneously throughout an extensive monitoring survey in a coral reef fishery, effectively captured the rich and varied individual fishers' conceptualizations of the coastal and nearshore marine environment. {O}ur findings suggest that named fishing sites may be used as local spatial reference units with known precision and accuracy, which is relevant for addressing spatial data limitations in small-scale fisheries and incorporating fishers' knowledge in collaborative fisheries science.},
  keywords = {{F}ishers' knowledge research ; {GPS} tracking ; local ecological knowledge ; {M}adagascar ; marine territory ; participatory mapping ; toponym ; traditional fishing ; transdisciplinary research ; {V}ezo ethnic group ; {MADAGASCAR}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}quatic {L}iving {R}esources},
  volume = {38},
  numero = {},
  pages = {13 [14 p.]},
  ISSN = {0990-7440},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1051/alr/2025009},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094880},
}