Connecting and coordinating fisheries projects to advance problem solving: Using the SCAALE (Strategic Connections Applied Across Leveraged Evaluations) framework

A persistent challenge in fisheries is that field data sets from related studies are often difficult to compare and extend across years and systems. Examples include (1) surveys of native or invasive organisms conducted in one watershed may not predict trends in another watershed; (2) fish stocking protocols that result in high survival in one year may not produce the same results in subsequent years; and (3) data from single-period, single-location creel surveys may not represent angler attitudes, reactions, or preferences in other systems at other times. In our Strategic Connections Applied Across Leveraged Evaluations (SCAALE) framework, we develop a general model to address the knowledge gaps of how to better link related data sets, coordinate relevant perspectives, and merge individual data streams across years, systems, and taxa. We apply SCAALE to three case studies and show an example of the framework for fisheries agency planning. Whereas some external barriers to multi-study strategic planning can be modified through professional resolve (e.g., lack of training in strategic project planning), other barriers may require more extensive discussions (e.g., how funding is allocated). The SCAALE framework provides a relevant and practical approach that manager–researcher–administrator teams could use to advance data syntheses across years, systems, species, and projects. Our perspective initiates this profession-wide conversation.