Knowing in context: An exploration of the interface of marine harvesters' local ecological knowledge with ecosystem approaches to management

► Guidelines for definition of EBSAs include the use of “experiential knowledge”. ► The contributions that fish harvester local ecological knowledge can make to EAM is explored. ► Sceptical enquiry expressed through well-designed, inclusive research process is the only means to include LEK and empower local community voice. ► LEK observations indicate that there are more similarities between areas than differences and intersect directly with only one EBSA criterion, aggregation. ► Do the EBSA criteria enable the best use of LEK?