Generic Knowledge Indicator (GKI): A tool to evaluate the state of knowledge of fisheries applied to snapper and grouper

The Generic Knowledge Indicator (GKI) was developed to classify the state of knowledge for worldwide fisheries regarding three main components: biological/ecological information, fishery data, and stock assessment. The data quality outcomes (data deficient, low quality, medium quality, high quality) for each of the components results from evaluating sub-criteria for precision, age, spatial scale, and accuracy, which are then combined to obtain the GKI. This framework was tested by studying of the current state of knowledge for snapper and grouper fisheries. Snapper and grouper are important fisheries resources with high commercial value, and they play an important role in the livelihoods and food security of many local communities worldwide. However, the status of many snapper and grouper stocks is unknown, particularly in the small-scale fisheries in developing countries where the reporting system is absent or insufficient. Therefore, to assess the state of knowledge for snapper and grouper, several sources of data were used: fisheries statistical data, stock assessment reports, and a review of a wide range of published studies. Results of the application of the GKI indicate that 70% of the snapper and grouper fisheries included in this study present a low knowledge outcome and only 2% of the cases presented a high outcome. Through the application of the GKI, this work presents an overview of the state of knowledge for the snapper and grouper fisheries worldwide, identifies the main gaps of knowledge, and highlights areas where research improvements are critical to ensure long-term sustainability of these resources.