Standard Research Grant - International Adoption of Conservation Technologies (IntACT): Towards a New Theory of Transferring Technology in the Face of Conservation Crisis

世界各地的渔业管理人员使用海洋养护技术（即保护生物体和/或生境的装置）来解决大量的副渔获物（即在捕捞过程中捕获或伤害的非目标物种）。美国最近的立法要求，有某些受保护物种副渔获物的国家采用保护技术，否则就有被禁运的危险。美国是开发保护技术的领导者，目前正在向其他国家和环境出口这些技术。然而，结果好坏参半。本研究将探讨成功的跨文化推广海洋保育技术的关键因素，通过调查两种技术：海龟排斥装置（TEDs）和环钩。这两种技术都用于减少海龟的副渔获物。本研究将追求以下研究目标：（1）描述美国机构和组织使用的技术推广计划类型，以鼓励美国境外渔民和美国境内不同文化社区的渔民采用TED和环钩; (2)确定这些促进性转让努力的哪些方面有助于或阻碍了促进和采用进程，特别是在语言、文化或国家发展水平方面的差异; (3)描述和编纂个人使用的具体方法，称赞他们的能力，成功地促进跨文化的保护技术的采用。为了达到这些目标，该项目采用了多方法的方法，包括参与者观察，深入访谈，调查，文件分析和模仿游戏。 研究结果将用于建立最佳做法框架，并为向其他国家和其他情况转让海洋养护技术提出政策建议。本研究将深入了解技术转移，创新扩散，跨文化交流和知识共享的理论对海洋保护技术的适用性，并为保护技术的国际使用制定一个具体的理论。这一理论将有助于更深入地了解跨国情况下的技术转让，例如，出口和使用替代燃料和节能技术来应对气候变化。

Fishery managers around the world use marine conservation technology (i.e. a device that protects organisms and/or habitat) to address high levels of bycatch (i.e. non-target species caught or harmed in the course of fishing). Recent U.S. legislation requires that countries with bycatch of certain protected species adopt conservation technology or else risk embargos. The United States is a leader in the development of conservation technologies and is currently exporting them to other countries and contexts. The results, however, have been mixed. This study will explore the key factors related to successful cross-cultural promotion of marine conservation technologies by investigating two technologies: turtle excluder devices (TEDs) and circle hooks. Both techniques are used to reduce bycatch of sea turtles. The research will pursue the following research objectives: (1) Describe the types of technology promotion programs used by U.S. agencies and organizations to encourage the adoption of TEDs and circle hooks by fishers outside the U.S. and by fishers of distinct cultural communities within the U.S.; (2) Determine which aspects of these promotional transfer efforts helped or hindered the promotion and adoption processes, especially in regards to differences in language, culture, or levels of country development.; (3) Describe and codify specific methods used by individuals acclaimed for their abilities to successfully promote adoption of conservation technologies cross-culturally. To meet these objectives, the project uses a multi-method approach that includes participant observation, in-depth interviews, surveys, document analysis, and imitation games. Research findings will be used to create a best practices framework and to make policy recommendations for the transfer of marine conservation technologies to other countries and contexts. This study will yield insights into the applicability of the theories of technology transfer, diffusion of innovations, cross-cultural communication, and interactional expertise to marine conservation technology as well as develop a theory specific for the international use of conservation technologies. Such a theory will provide a deeper understanding of technology transfer in cross-national situations, for example, the exportation and use of alternative fuels and energy efficient technologies to address climate change.