Five women harvesting fish with a net in the shallow part fo a pond.
Global Programme
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Analysis of gender roles and capacities in the value chain
Capacity building
Awareness raising
Management roles for women
Platforms for women in the fish value chain
Lessons learnt

The successful implementation and longevity of the MSP relies on several key factors: Establishing a system that maintains transparency and trust among stakeholders is a fundamental prerequisite and the basis of effective collaboration. Transparency can be achieved through open communication and honest sharing of information among the stakeholders. Open communication together with holding stakeholders accountable for their commitments as anchored in the governance framework helps to build trust.

Flexibility is another critical factor MSPs should endeavour in order to adapt to evolving sectoral priorities as well as to stakeholder dynamics. Therefore, the platform should be capable and open to react to changes and new information and accordingly revise its strategy and work plan or include emerging stakeholders. This can be achieved through regular evaluations and adjustments – also regarding the general MSP performance – which contributes to the achievement of its mission. 

As MSPs have the long-term purpose of sectoral improvement, members need to recognize that meaningful change may take time and requires sustained efforts. Developing and communicating a clear joint vision helps to keep stakeholders committed to the set goals over the long haul. In addition, creating ownership through the allocation of responsibilities keeps stakeholders engaged and should be considered as an essential aspect in terms of sustainability. 

In terms of communication, the development and sharing of a clear strategy to all new members helps to facilitate communication inside and outside the MSP. 

Another important aspect is the promotion and coordination of research and data collection through the MSP with the goal of ensuring evidence-based decision-making and strategies, and to remain the MSP effective in its mission. One example is a feasibility study on authorizing catch and release during the fish ban, aimed at establishing a peak period for tourism. Catch and release is a key activity in tourism, and this study seeks to harmonize evidence-based legislation between tourism and fisheries.

Identifying sustainable funding sources or mechanisms is essential for the long-term viability of MSP, because without adequate financial support, the platform will struggle to maintain its activities. Considering this aspect already in the planning and formation phase of the MSP avoids problems later, especially when the platform is initiated with the financial support of donors that have only limited time and resources for the facilitation. 
 

Avoiding risks

For the successful establishment and management of MSPs, it is also important to consider potential internal risks that exist. One of them being the dominance of powerful stakeholders which marginalizes the voices of smaller or less influential groups. This highlights the importance to implement mechanisms that ensure power balance, especially when developing the governance framework. The rotation of leadership positions and equal say for all members regardless of their size or lobbying power are two possible ways of addressing this. 

Another potential risk is the occurrence of conflicting interests due to the wide array of stakeholders engaged. This can slow down consensus building and the joint decision-making. Striking a balance between inclusivity and efficiency is a continual challenge.
 

Management and Organisational Structure of MSPs

The organisational structure of the MSP can vary according to the agreed governance framework, but a common set-up includes a governance body and several working groups. The governance body usually comprises a chair and co-chairs, and a limited amount of members which should represent the stakeholder groups engaged in the MSP. 

The tasks of the body will be: 

  • General steering 
  • Holding accountability for strategic evolution 
  • Overseeing the working groups 
  • Reviewing strategic plans 
  • Ensuring the engagement of stakeholders 
  • Holding responsibility for continuous collaboration between platform & government (especially in terms of policy formation) 

Clear and effective communication is vital for the successful functioning of the MSP. Internal communication – usually facilitated by the secretariat – keeps stakeholders informed and engaged. External outreach conveys goals, outcomes, and benefits to the broader community, partners, and funders. Working-group membership is voluntary but should be based on expertise. Depending on urgency and goals, they meet three to six times a year. Governance roles should rotate to ensure fresh perspectives and a dynamic structure. Meetings should occur regularly. 

A potential risk that should be avoided is the occurrence of conflicting interests due to the wide array of stakeholders engaged. This can slow down consensus building and the joint decision-making. Striking a balance between inclusivity and efficiency is a continual challenge.

Development of Work Plan & Funding

To ensure a smooth implementation and to avoid risks, it is key to develop a precise work plan that defines: 

  • concrete steps to achieve the MSP´s objectives
  • clear activities 
  • timelines
  • resources
  • necessary funds 
  • ways to obtain the funds

Roles and responsibilities must be clearly allocated before developing the work plan and discuss the fundings. The work plan should then be developed collaboratively with input from all stakeholders to ensure that activities are aligned with the platform’s goals and objectives. Is is essential to elaborate in detail the necessary amount of funds as this is the fundament for a smooth implementation of the activities and the overall operation of the MSP.

Flexibility is  a critical factor MSPs should endeavour in order to adapt to evolving sectoral priorities as well as to stakeholder dynamics. Therefore, the platform should be capable and open to react to changes and new information and accordingly revise its strategy and work plan or include emerging stakeholders. This can be achieved through regular evaluations and adjustments – also regarding the general MSP performance – which contributes to the achievement of its mission.

Another important aspect for successful implementation of this approach is the promotion and coordination of research and data collection through the MSP with the goal of ensuring evidence-based decision-making and strategies, and to remain the MSP effective in its mission. 

Identifying sustainable funding sources or mechanisms is essential for the long-term viability of MSP, because without adequate financial support, the platform will struggle to maintain its activities. Considering this aspect already in the planning and formation phase of the MSP avoids problems later, especially when the platform is initiated with the financial support of donors that have only limited time and resources for the facilitation. 
 

Development of Governance Framework

The governance framework will be the steering- and implementation structure and function as the core of the MSP. It should define: 

  • the rules of operation
  • roles of the participating stakeholders
  • responsibilities of the participating stakeholders
  • leadership positions

The governance framework ensures that the MSP operates efficiently and that decision-making processes are clear and transparent with mechanisms for dispute resolution and conflict management in place.

 

 

As explained in the buidling blocks before, stakeholder mapping for stakeholder identification, consenus-building, shared ownership as well as a common vision for the future are necessary steps before a governance framework can be established. The stakeholders should work together to draft governance documents that outline these aspects, in order to ensure wide acceptance for these documents. 

 

Establishing a system that maintains transparency and trust among stakeholders is a fundamental prerequisite and the basis of effective collaboration. Transparency can be achieved through open communication and honest sharing of information among the stakeholders. Open communication together with holding stakeholders accountable for their commitments as anchored in the governance framework helps to build trust.

For the successful establishment and management of MSPs, it is also important to consider potential internal risks that exist. One of them being the dominance of powerful stakeholders which marginalizes the voices of smaller or less influential groups. This highlights the importance to implement mechanisms that ensure power balance, especially when developing the governance framework. The rotation of leadership positions and equal say for all members regardless of their size or lobbying power are two possible ways of addressing this. 

Consensus-Building

After the stakeholders have been mapped, they are brought together to find common grounds and build consensus. During engagement meetings, facilitated by a moderator of neutral third party, the stakeholders cooperatively: 

  • identify and discuss joint challenges 
  • define shared objectives 
  • formulate a common vision that align with national and global agendas

These collective discussions ensure the inclusion of the different perspectives in the strategic and content-related orientation of the MSP. The creation of a shared vision and joint goals help to align efforts, create ownership, and maintain momentum amongst the members.

 

The Stakeholder mapping is a vital first step before the consensus-building. It is an important tool to identify relevant stakeholders for the MSPs objectives. In the fisheries and aquaculture sector, many stakeholders are directly and inidrectly connected to the fish value chain and some could be overseen quickly. But effective measures first require comprehensive representation and collaboration between all stakeholders.

As MSPs have the long-term purpose of sectoral improvement, members need to recognize that meaningful change may take time and requires sustained efforts. Developing and communicating a clear joint vision helps to keep stakeholders committed to the set goals over the long haul. In terms of communication, the development and sharing of a clear strategy to all new members helps to facilitate communication inside and outside the MSP. 

In addition, creating ownership through the allocation of responsibilities keeps stakeholders engaged and should be considered as an essential aspect in terms of sustainability. 

Stakeholder Mapping

To ensure comprehensive representation, stakeholder groups and actors that are directly and indirectly connected to fisheries and aquaculture have to be mapped.

In workshops, key stakeholders jointly identify other relevant stakeholders. General key stakeholder groups and actors that are involved can be:

  • Public sector: ministries and departments responsible for fisheries and aquaculture and, potentially, other governmental bodies that are connected to the sector, e.g. dealing with forestry, water, or agriculture
  • Private sector: various actors including small scale fishers and fish farmers, large scale operators and companies, as well as actors along the value chain, operating in e.g. feed and gear production, fish processing, transportation, or marketing
  • Agriculture farmers having impact on water quality and use
  • Other users of water bodies related to aquaculture and fisheries; Civil society organisations and the media
  • Cooperating partners: international and national development agencies, international organisations (e.g. FAO, World Bank, WorldFish, WWF, etc.), and development banks
  • Academia and research: universities and research institutions
  • Traditional leaders
  • indigenous communities, and community members
  • Conservation groups: agencies working in environmental protection and conservation

To address the issues and challenges described before and to foster sustainable management, a holistic and integrative approach regarding the different actors involved is needed. The participants of the MSPs should therefore not be one sided but integrate as many actors of the fish value chain and their different perspectives as possible. This guarantees a better understanding of underlying problems and helps to identify appropiate solutions and measures that are supported by all actors.

Establishing a system that maintains transparency and trust among stakeholders is a fundamental prerequisite and the basis of effective collaboration. Transparency can be achieved through open communication and honest sharing of information among the stakeholders. This should be regarded from the beginning of the MSP implementation process on. See also the upcoming steps to anchor open communication into the governance framework.

Due to the dominance of some powerful stakeholders, other stakeholders could be marginalized. Nevertheless, all stakeholders should be contacted and be given the opportunity to collaborate in the MSP. Later on, especially in the delevopment of the governance framework, mechanisms to ensure power balance need to be implemented to avoid the risk of the dominance of single stakeholders in the MSP.

Gathering in Zambia. At the bottom picture you can see a fish booth stand, highlighting different kinds of preserved fish. In the center of the picture is a small croud of people. Fishing community members (wearing blue caps on their head) are presenting to variuos stakeholders, such as a man in a black shirt and a woman in a blue dress.
West and Central Africa
East and South Africa
Southeast Asia
South Asia
Global Programme
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Stakeholder Mapping
Consensus-Building
Development of Governance Framework
Development of Work Plan & Funding
Management and Organisational Structure of MSPs
Gathering in Zambia. At the bottom picture you can see a fish booth stand, highlighting different kinds of preserved fish. In the center of the picture is a small croud of people. Fishing community members (wearing blue caps on their head) are presenting to variuos stakeholders, such as a man in a black shirt and a woman in a blue dress.
West and Central Africa
East and South Africa
Southeast Asia
South Asia
Global Programme
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Stakeholder Mapping
Consensus-Building
Development of Governance Framework
Development of Work Plan & Funding
Management and Organisational Structure of MSPs
Strengthen publicity and guidance, and develop green industries

 Enhance publicity and guidance to elevate public awareness of wildlife protection. The Dalaoling Reserve prioritizes ongoing public engagement, frequently organizing nature education activities centered on wildlife conservation, particularly during significant events such as National Ecology Day. Additionally, the short video footage of forest musk deer captured by infrared cameras has been featured multiple times on CCTV's "The Eye of the Secret Environment," achieving commendable results in science popularization and significantly enhancing public awareness of forest musk deer conservation.
Develop green industries and encourage surrounding villagers to join the protection army. With good mountains and good water as the medium, the green development model of "tea - fruit - bee - wine" is constructed for Qianjinyuan Village, and the rural green industry chain is created. To promote the development of the bird-watching industry around Dalaoling, attracting more than 400 bird watchers from outside to watch birds in the Dalaoling Reserve every year, creating an average economic income of more than 100,000 yuan for local farmers. Assisted in the establishment of the Dalaoling Forest Health Association, promoted the development of the surrounding farm music industry, and increased the average household income of nearly 20,000 yuan in 2024, so that villagers can change the tradition of relying on natural resources as the main economic source, serve the "green bowl" at the door, eat the "ecological meal", and join the wild resources "protection group".

1.Enhance publicity and guidance to elevate public awareness of wildlife protection;

2.Develop green industries and encourage surrounding villagers to join the protection army. 

1. Publicity should be carried out through multiple channels and methods;

2. The development of industries should be adapted to local conditions, and the enthusiasm the villagers should be stimulated.