Group discussion about future plans for the local diving team "Guardians of the Sea"
Giovanna Jacome
Meeting with community leaders.
Giovanna Jacome
The purpose of this block is to propose financial mechanisms to sustain ghost fishing gear surveillance and improve fishers' compliance with the management agreement. This is an economic analysis that helps to build a shared view of how the problem could be managed, how much that would cost in a certain period, and which funding options are available to the community, including potential income generation from the upcycling of ghost fishing gear and other marine debris.
The existence of active local groups in areas other than diving, like communication, recycling, and tourism. They can play a role in the functioning of the ghost fishing strategy.
It is important to approach a variety of potential allies in the public and private sectors to increase the chances of finding adequate support and commitment from stakeholders.
Ecological and social-ecological impact assessment
Impacts of a ghost fishing net on a rocky reef.
Federico Obregon
Interview about causes, effects and solutions to ghost fishing
Lila Caicedo
The purpose of this building block is to identify the impacts of ghost fishing both on the ecosystems and the people.
Rapid ecological assessments are used to establish a baseline of the impacts observed in two ecosystems: mangroves and rocky reefs, identified as key conservation priorities in the management plan of the regional protected area.
The social-ecological aspects of the problem require more time for data collection. Surveys of perception, in-depth interviews, and workshops are used to obtain information from the fishing and diving community about how the problem is happening in the area and its social and economic implications. The goal is to gain a deep understanding of the situations that lead to fishing gear abandonment, loss, or discard.
Community groups and individuals provide information, participate in data collection, and motivate others to participate.
The data collection team spends enough time on data collection and triangulation of results.
There is trust between the data collection team and the community, and the prior informed consent that protects personal information is discussed and observed.
Rapid ecological assessments done by external experts must include:
enough time for data collection
time and commitment to return information to the community and participants
Capacity building in scuba diving for coastal communities
Theoretical lessons in scuba diving
Gabriela Navarrete
Diving practice
Luis Barrios
Ghost fishing net removed by the diving team in 2023
Javier Oña
The purpose is to improve the local capacity to safely remove ghost fishing gear from the sea. The existence of a permanent diving center in the area is mandatory to provide security during all aquatic activities of the training and cleaning campaigns.
Social cohesion and environmental awareness in the local community.
A good relationship between the diving center and the native community.
Transparent communication with community leaders along the implementation process.
The response of the diving team should be rapid because currents change direction and can release and move the entangled fishing gear again. If the clean-up is delayed, the risk of not finding the gear increases.
Clear roles and efforts distribution among the diving and the on-land support team is essential to obtain the desired results and to communicate achievements back to the community, partners, and local authorities.
Agreement on management measures for ghost fishing
Focus group discussion with fishers
Lila Caicedo
Socialization of results in fishers' annual assembly (GIC-PA, 2023)
Kelly Rojas
Interview to a fisher woman
Lila Caicedo
The purpose is to encourage fishers to actively prevent fishing gear loss and to report it when it happens. Fishers are invited to participate in interviews and workshops, where they share their experiences and ideas for solutions in the local context.
Fishers understand that their knowledge can help others fish more responsibly.
Fishers are listened to and their views are respected.
Fishers are aware of the importance of maintaining marine ecosystems in good conditions to sustain artisanal fisheries.
The agreement must be based on a solid understanding of the causes and effects of ghost fishing in the local context.
Local leaders endorsement motivates fishers and the entire community to actively participate
