Community-based Fisheries Management - Fishing voices from the Pacific

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

28 Jun 201708:11

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the challenges faced by Pacific island communities due to overfishing, pollution, and climate change, emphasizing the importance of community-based fisheries management. It highlights initiatives like the 2015 strategy for coastal fisheries and the establishment of marine reserves, showcasing how traditional knowledge and community involvement can lead to sustainable practices and improved livelihoods.

Takeaways

🌊 The Pacific Ocean faces significant threats to marine resources due to overpopulation, overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
🐟 Historically, fisheries agencies focused on large-scale commercial fishing, neglecting the management of coastal fisheries.
🏝️ Over half of the Pacific island population relies on coastal fisheries for food and income, highlighting the importance of these resources.
🔄 Pacific leaders have recognized the need for more emphasis on coastal fisheries, adopting the 2015 strategy 'A New Song for Coastal Fisheries'.
🌐 The global community has also acknowledged the importance of sustainable small-scale fisheries through the adoption of voluntary guidelines by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
🏡 Traditional marine tenure systems in the Pacific were disrupted during colonial rule, leading to a decline in marine resources and a need for new management approaches.
🐠 Community-based fisheries management programs, such as those introduced in 1995, leverage the strengths of local communities and village councils to manage marine resources.
🌳 Marine reserves and fishing regulations have been established by many villages to protect marine life, with positive impacts on both the environment and local economies.
🌐 Fiji's coastal communities work with the government and NGOs through the locally managed marine area network (FLEMETH), using traditional knowledge as the foundation for fisheries management.
🏖️ In Tonga, the 2002 Fisheries Act provided a legal basis for community-based fisheries management, leading to improvements in fish stocks and reduced overfishing.
🌳 Empowering coastal communities in fisheries management not only ensures sustainable fishing practices but also preserves the unique environment, culture, and heritage of Pacific island people.

Q & A

What are the main threats to marine resources in the Pacific Ocean as mentioned in the script?
-The main threats to marine resources in the Pacific Ocean are growing populations, overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
Why did fisheries agencies historically overlook the management of fisheries in coastal areas?
-Historically, fisheries agencies focused on the development of large-scale commercial fishing, which led to the neglect of coastal fisheries management.
What percentage of the Pacific island population relies on coastal fisheries for food and income?
-Over half of the Pacific island population relies on coastal fisheries as their main source of food and income.
What is the '2015 strategy a new song for coastal fisheries'?
-The '2015 strategy a new song for coastal fisheries' is a formal recognition by Pacific leaders of the need for more emphasis on coastal fisheries management.
How did colonial rule impact the customary marine tenure systems in the Pacific?
-Colonial rule changed the customary marine tenure systems, leading to a decline in marine resources by 1990 and raising concerns about the need for a new approach to coastal fisheries management.
What is the community-based fisheries management program introduced in 1995?
-The community-based fisheries management program, introduced in 1995, is supported by the National Fisheries Agency and builds on the strengths of communities working through village councils as primary instigators of change.
How do many villages protect marine life through the community-based fisheries management program?
-Many villages have set up marine reserves and regulations for fishing to protect marine life, as part of the community-based fisheries management program.
What alternative form of income has the preservation of marine areas attracted for coastal communities?
-The preservation of marine areas has attracted tourists, providing an alternative form of income for coastal communities.
What is the role of the locally managed marine area network known as 'flemeth' in Fiji?
-Flemeth provides technical advice and support for the management of customary fishing areas around Fiji, working with 466 coastal communities, government, and NGOs.
How has overfishing affected the mando village in Fiji?
-Overfishing has depleted marine life in the mando village, causing the village fisher women to travel to other fishing areas far from the village.
What legal basis was introduced in Tonga for community-based fisheries management?
-In 2002, a new Fisheries Act was introduced in Tonga, providing a legal basis for community-based fisheries management through the establishment of special management areas.
How does the script emphasize the importance of community-based fisheries management for the future?
-The script emphasizes that community-based fisheries management supports and empowers people at the community level, ensuring sustainable fishing and food security for the livelihoods of fishing communities now and into the future, while also preserving the unique environment, culture, and heritage of Pacific island people.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Coastal Fisheries Management in the Pacific

This paragraph discusses the challenges faced by Pacific island communities due to overpopulation, overfishing, pollution, and climate change, which threaten their marine resources. Historically, fisheries agencies focused on large-scale commercial fishing, neglecting coastal areas where over half of the Pacific island population relies on for food and income. The adoption of the 2015 strategy for coastal fisheries management by Pacific leaders and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations highlights a shift towards community-based approaches. The introduction of a community-based fisheries management program in 1995, supported by the National Fisheries Agency, leverages the strengths of local communities and village councils to manage marine resources sustainably. The success of this program has led to the establishment of marine reserves and attracted tourism, providing alternative income sources for these communities.

05:01

🐠 Empowering Communities for Sustainable Fisheries

The second paragraph emphasizes the importance of recognizing and empowering traditional community roles in fisheries management. In Fiji, national agencies have pledged to continue supporting coastal communities to secure sustainable livelihoods through community-based fisheries management. The establishment of the Fisheries Act in 2002 provided a legal basis for this approach, leading to the creation of special management areas. The cooperation between governments and coastal communities has resulted in improvements in fish stocks and a reduction in overfishing. The narrative also touches on the historical context of fishing rights in Tonga and the recent efforts to address the imbalance caused by population growth and commercial fishing demands. The empowerment of communities and the benefits of improved management are inspiring other communities to adopt similar programs, ensuring sustainable fishing practices and food security for future generations, while preserving the unique environmental, cultural, and heritage aspects of Pacific island communities.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Coastal Fisheries

Coastal fisheries refer to the fishing activities that take place in coastal waters, which are vital for the livelihood and food security of many communities. In the video, coastal fisheries are highlighted as a primary source of food and income for over half of the Pacific Island population, emphasizing their importance in the region's economy and culture.

💡Overfishing

Overfishing is the practice of catching fish at a rate faster than they can reproduce, leading to a decline in fish populations. The script mentions overfishing as one of the growing threats to marine resources in the Pacific, which has negative impacts on coastal fisheries and the communities that depend on them.

💡Pollution

Pollution, in the context of the video, refers to the contamination of the marine environment by harmful substances or energy, which can damage marine ecosystems and affect the health of fish populations. It is cited as a threat to the sustainability of coastal fisheries.

💡Climate Change

Climate change is the long-term alteration in weather patterns and average temperatures. The script discusses how climate change poses a threat to marine resources by causing shifts in ecosystems and affecting the availability of fish stocks, which is crucial for coastal fisheries.

💡Marine Reserves

Marine reserves are protected areas of the ocean where fishing and other extractive activities are restricted to conserve marine life and habitats. The video script describes how many villages have established marine reserves to protect their marine life, which is a strategy to combat overfishing and promote sustainable coastal fisheries.

💡Community-Based Fisheries Management

Community-based fisheries management is an approach where local communities are involved in the decision-making process for managing their fisheries resources. The script highlights this approach as a way to empower communities to manage their coastal fisheries sustainably, with examples of its successful implementation in various Pacific Island communities.

💡Customary Marine Tenure Systems

Customary marine tenure systems refer to the traditional systems of managing marine resources that have been in place in Pacific Island communities for generations. The script notes that these systems were disrupted during colonial rule but are now being recognized as important for sustainable coastal fisheries management.

💡Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and promote food security. The script mentions the FAO's adoption of voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries, which supports the theme of sustainable coastal fisheries.

💡Locally Managed Marine Area Network (LMMA)

A locally managed marine area network is a group of coastal communities that work together to manage their marine resources. In the script, the LMMA in Fiji, known as 'flemenath', is highlighted as a successful example of community collaboration for sustainable coastal fisheries management.

💡Sustainable Livelihoods

Sustainable livelihoods refer to the ability of individuals or communities to meet their basic needs while also maintaining the health of ecosystems for future generations. The video emphasizes the importance of sustainable coastal fisheries for securing livelihoods in Pacific Island communities.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage encompasses the traditions, values, and practices that are passed down through generations. The script discusses how community-based fisheries management not only supports sustainable fishing practices but also helps preserve the unique environmental culture and heritage of Pacific Island people.

Highlights

People of the Pacific face growing threats to marine resources due to overpopulation, overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

Historically, fisheries agencies focused on large-scale commercial fishing and neglected coastal fisheries management.

Over half of the Pacific island population relies on coastal fisheries for food and income.

Pacific leaders have adopted the 2015 strategy 'A New Song for Coastal Fisheries' to emphasize coastal fisheries.

Voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries were adopted by the FAO of the UN.

During colonial rule, customary marine tenure systems in the Pacific were disrupted, leading to declining marine resources.

A community-based fisheries management program was introduced in 1995, supported by the National Fisheries Agency.

The program leverages community strengths through village councils to initiate change in fisheries management.

Many villages have established marine reserves and fishing regulations to protect marine life.

The preservation of marine areas has attracted tourists, providing an alternative income for communities.

Fiji has 466 coastal communities working with the government and NGOs through the locally managed marine area network called FLEMETH.

Traditional knowledge is the foundation of community-based fisheries management in Fiji.

In Tonga, a new Fisheries Act in 2002 provided a legal basis for community-based fisheries management.

Community empowerment and improved management have led to reductions in overfishing in Tonga.

The community-based approach has inspired other communities in the Pacific to join the program.

Community-based fisheries management ensures sustainable fishing, food security, and preserves the environment, culture, and heritage of Pacific island people.