Community-based Fisheries Management - Fishing voices from the Pacific

Summary

The 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.