MOTA findings final report for ACIAR: ACIAR FIS/2018/153

The Motivations and Abilities (MOTA) framework was established to address a planning stage gap, by offering a multi-stakeholder, multi-level approach to evaluate the implementation feasibility (societal adoptability) of plans and policies. MOTA is a stepwise process focusing on the relationship between trigger, motivation, and ability. This study used the Extended MOTA Framework (Figure 1) to provide insights and recommendations into better implementation and institutionalisation of fish passage within SE Asia.
Data collection for the MOTA component of the project took place over two periods. The first round of data collection focussed on understanding fishway decision-making at the policy level across the Mekong and Southeast Asian region. The second round of data collection focussed on eliciting key insights from specific fishway cases and understanding the on-ground realities of fishway implementation. Respondents were purposively selected based on their knowledge and/or experience with fisheries management within each country or in relation to a specific fishway site.
This data was analysed and refined to be presented as five major insights and recommendations in relation to sustainable fishway management (shortened to ‘effective fishways’ through report) over the life of the structure (~25 years). These recommendations were intended primarily for future programs; however, MOTA insights were also incorporated throughout the FishTech project when analysis of data was able to quickly inform improvements in the program.