Errors and bias in marine conservation and fisheries literature: Their impact on policies and perceptions

This presentation summarises a paper entitled “Errors and bias in marine conservation and fisheries literature: Their impact on policies and perceptions”, published in Marine Policy. It relates to a concern about the prevalence of scientific papers with important flaws that convey misleading information and aim to advocate particular policies. Some examples are provided, together with the (inappropriate) impacts those papers made. The underlying cause is seen as weaknesses in scientific publishing systems. Suggestions are made as to how these might be improved to better ensure that decision makers are guided by the best available scientific evidence when formulating policy.