Strengthening Caribbean fisherfolk
Full Solution
Fishers collaborating on suitable gear and fishing techniques
CNFO
Fisheries governance involving fishers in the Caribbean region, promotes the participation of fishers in fisheries management processes and allows for the inclusion of the knowledge, experience and interest of fishers into fisheries policy and law. Problems associated with management regimes that excluded fisher participation include fisher marginalization, negative impacts on fisher livelihoods and related social, economic, food and nutrition issues.
Last update: 24 Jul 2019
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Context
Challenges addressed
marginalisation of small-scale fishers, diminishing access to fisheries resources
• Marginalisation of small-scale fishers.
• Diminishing access to fisheries resources.
• Ocean grabbing by other powerful interests.
• Threats to fishers' livelihoods.
Location
Antigua and Barbuda
Caribbean
Process
Summary of the process
The assessment and analysis of fisherfolk organisations in the Caribbean, by fishers and fisheries managers, produced recommendations for the development of national fisherfolk organisations with the objective of having these linked in a regional network. The development of strong partnerships between fishers, fishers organisations, fisheries management organisations, NGOs and academia, promoted the development of national fisherfolk organisations and the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations. These partnerships facilitated training, advocacy and representation in regional fisheries governance and made extensive use of ICT tools to facilitate communications in all areas and at all levels of activities. The CNFO is now active in fisheries governance at all levels from local to global and continues to develop and to strengthen partnerships.
Building Blocks
Strategic partnerships for fisherfolks
Partnerships with fisheries management bodies such as national fisheries administrations, the FAO and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism as well as relationships with the University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute have provided for the provision of funding and technical expertise to develop fishers’ capacity to engage in fisheries governance. These partnerships promote the appreciation of differing perspectives, sharing of lessons and form the basis of integrated fisheries management with the participation of fishers.
Enabling factors
• Information and Communication Technology.
• Organisations with similar interest.
• Policy/legal frameworks
Lesson learned
• Partnerships are critical to sustainable fisheries governance.
• Relationships must be managed.
• Respect in partnerships is of vital importance.
• Mutual benefits should be promoted.
• A variety of partnerships are often needed to satisfy one objective.
Compliance with policy frameworks
National fisheries policy and legislation provide for the participation of fishers in fisheries management regimes, This is consistent with regional and global fisheries policy such as CCRP and SSSF, and promotes the involvement of fishers and their organisations in fisheries governance.
Additionally the strategy directions and objectives of potential/realized partners promote effective relationships for capacity building, technical support, and facilitating a seat at the table.
Enabling factors
• Existing policy/legal framework.
• Organisations with converging interest.
• National, regional and global fisheries governance initiatives.
Lesson learned
• Focus, effort and teamwork required to benefit from enabling environment.
• Awareness of existing realities and environment is importan.
Establishment of fisherfolk organisations
Fisherfolk organisations are initiated and developed from collaborative efforts of fishers, existing fisherfolk organisations, academia, NGOs, donors and fisheries management entities. These fisherfolk organisations facilitate participatory representation of fisherfolk in fisheries governance and management by bringing fishers concerns, interests, knowledge and experience into the management considerations. Being linked at national, regional and global levels allow for these organisations to effectively participate in fisheries governance, facilitates communications, capacity building and representation.
Enabling factors
• Access to information.
• Communication channels such as cell phone, internet and print media.
• Strong and motivated leadership.
• Committed fisheries management regimes.
• Existing policy/ legal framework.
Lesson learned
• Multiple communications tools/channels required to reach fishers.
• Building fishers leadership abilities is important.
• Consistent and ongoing effort required.
• Global climate of stakeholder participation important.
• Capacity development is a long term undertaking and requires solid partnerships.
• Representation requires funding and a seat at the table.
• Small-scale fishers and their organisations are unable to support required activities and need dedicated partners.
• Challenges faced by Caribbean small-scale fishers are varied and numerous with powerful interest groups advocating for other interest.
Use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
ICT allows for communications channels, such as cellular phone and internet services, to facilitate collective planning and fisherfolk meetings. These are relevant and effective in situations where participants are from different areas
and countries, and where opportunities for face to face meetings are limited. The Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) uses phone features such as calls and text to communicate as well as email, VOIP services and website.
Enabling factors
• Cell phone technology and widespread usage.
• Widespread internet access.
• Communications tools that are free, including Skype and Google hangouts.
Lesson learned
• ICT presents a low cost way of communicating.
• Current technology can facilitate many activities.
• Fishers most readily respond to cell phone.
• Collaboration with ICT partners required to derive greater benefits.
Promotion of active participation
The development of the capacity of fisherfolk to manage their organization, through training activities in leadership, business, communications, advocacy and representation is important in contributing to strong fisherfolk organisations and appropriate representation and participation in fisheries governance. This capacity development is based on identified needs, focused on priority areas and conducted in collaboration with appropriate partners.
Enabling factors
• Strong partnerships with fisheries administrations, academia, NGOs and FAO.
• Committed fishers.
• Existing policy/legal framework.
• Funding opportunities to conduct training activities, and provide resources.
Lesson learned
• Requires consistent, ongoing effort.
• Capacity development is a long term undertaking and requires solid partnerships.
• Small-scale fishers and their organisations are unable to support required training activities and benefit from dedicated partnerships.
Impacts
• Sustainable practices promoted resulting is less ecological impacts. • Reflection of fishers input in regional/global fisheries policy • Raises the profile and contribution of small-scale fisheries to sustainable livelihoods, national economies, food and nutrition security and social and cultural stability.
Beneficiaries
small-scale fishers, coastal fishing communities, small-scale fishers' organisations, fisheries managers, policy makers, national communities, tourism stakeholders
Story
Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) collaborating in the development of a national plan of action for the conservation and management of sharks in Antigua and Barbuda (NPOA-Sharks).
CNFO partners with FAO and Antigua and Barbuda Fisheries Division to conduct a preliminary assessment of shark resources in Antigua and Barbuda in 2012-2014, involving the contracting of shark consultant, and using both fishery dependent and fishery independent surveys.
Fishers from national and regional fisherfolk organisations along with fisheries division staff and consultant, participate in training workshop, surveys and validation process. The development of a draft NPOA Sharks for Antigua and Barbuda involved fisher representatives participating in two national consultations with Fisheries Division, consultant, dive interest, tourism interest, Coast Guard and other interest groups. Current draft reflects the interests of fishers regarding livelihoods, traditional use and food and nutrition issues.
