Abstract

As part of their efforts to improve the national fisheries management system, Chilean fisheries authorities have identified the need to develop a fisheries research program based on state-of-the-art fisheries knowledge and information systems. To meet this challenge, a structural matrix analysis of the existing cognitive system and a literature review was conducted. Knowledge gaps were identified through a comparison of the literature review and a conceptual model. The analysis suggests that research has largely been focused on fisheries biology studies, with little emphasis given to oceanographic factors, while almost no research on economic, social, or governability factors has been conducted. The analysis points to those elements that are needed to establish a research program that addresses priority elements towards the goal of sustainable fisheries in Chile. In spite of the analysis conducted on governance aspects of the existing fisheries management system, the analysis presented here is mainly focused on oceanographic, biological, technological, and economic aspects of the Chilean fisheries system. Thus, there is a need for further analysis of both social and governance aspects of fisheries.