The Small Grants Fund

The Small Grants Fund for Sustainable Fisheries and MPAs, and Alternative Livelihoods

2010-2011

Workshop on Sustainable Practices to Support MPA Conservation - La Caleta Marine Conservation Training Centre (Reef Check, Dominican Republic)

As many other countries, the Dominican Republic's main problems with marine conservation can be linked to lack of education and awareness, and most important, a model that can be used to demonstrate to local stakeholders, the effectiveness of marine conservation and its benefits to biodiversity conservation and local communities. Reef Check Dominican Republic (RCDR), has been working in La Caleta MPA for the past 4 years, raising awareness and building capacity among local fishermen, who once lived from fishing in the Parks waters, and now see a bright future based on sustainable fishing and eco tourism. After hosting the latest CAMPAM Trainer of Trainers Workshop on MPA management, trained participants from the DR Ministry of Environment and Reef Check DR, are ready to transfer knowledge, expertise and lessons learned at La Caleta MPA, to other MPA managers and fishermen using this developing small MPA as a model that represents living etproof that marine conservation not only benefits the environment, but also adjacent local communities.

Photo and text courtesy Ruben Torres

Building stronger linkages among MPAs on the Grenada Bank (Sustainable Grenadines, St. Vincent and the Grenadines)

The Grenada Bank, an archipelago of over 30 islands and cays extending from Grenada to the Grenadine islands of St. Vincent, supports the most extensive coral reefs and related habitats in the southeastern Caribbean. While there are currently three legally recognized marine protected areas (MPAs) on the Grenada Bank, MPA management is relatively new to the area, and these MPAs do not regularly communicate or exchange information. Building stronger linkages among MPAs in the Grenadines will strengthen the management capacity of these MPAs through improving their decision-making ability, sharing of lessons learned, reducing MPA/user conflicts and building synergies in their workplans. This approach will set the right precedents for establishing new MPAs on the Grenada Bank, and will ultimately achieve more effective marine conservation and contribute toward fulfilling the Caribbean Challenge commitments made by both countries. This project provides for an expert MPA facilitator to aid in the development of harmonized workplans for each MPA resulting from reviews of site management plans, semi-structured interviews with MPA managers, and input received at a regional networking and planning workshop being run concurrently through a complimentary project. It also provides for an exchange for staff from Sandy Island/Oyster Bed and Molinere/Beausejour MPAs to visit and learn about the operations of the Tobago Cays Marine Park, and the creation of an online tool to enhance communication and opportunities to share lessons learned among MPA managers.

Training for Fishermen from Sandy Island/Oyster Bed MPA, Grenada from Fishermen in Dominica on the Use of Fish Aggregating Devices (Fisheries Division, Grenada)

Sandy Island/Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area (SIOBMPA), comprising 787 hectares has been declared as an area requiring special protection of critical marine ecosystems, by the Government of Grenada, in September 2008. The area declared is located on the southwest coast of Carriacou, the second largest of three inhabited islands comprising the state of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. The SIOBMPA was officially launched on July 31st 2010. The SIOBMPA consists of extensive coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds which combine to help maintain a healthy marine and coastal ecosystem that contribute to the social and economic livelihood of the Islands of the Grenadines through fisheries and tourism activities.

At the time of declaration, fishing activities were prohibited thereby displacing several fishermen who were engaged in spear and trap fishing in the area. Generally, fishers support the initiative and reasons to protect the area however they expressed concern regarding the loss of livelihood, and as a result requested assistance in obtaining alternative sources of livelihood within the fishing subsector. Therefore, the Fisheries Division convene a consultation with fishermen who agreed that the use of Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) targeting pelagic species outside of the MPA would be a viable alternative fishing technology that can be easily adapted.

Within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Dominica has been using FAD fishing successfully for several years which was spearheaded by the Fisheries Division. Therefore, the Fisheries Division of Grenada sought and received assurances from the Fisheries Division of Dominica that they are willing to provide assistance to Grenada to enable the transfer of fishing technology using FADs. Consequently, the Fisheries Division of Grenada requested and received financial support from the GCFI small grant program in the amount of US$8,934 to implement this programme. The programme provides for three fishermen and the Fisheries Extension Officer for Carriacou to travel to Dominica for one week commencing 30th January 2011. During this period, the group will be tutored theoretically and practically in the construction, deployment and use of FADs.

On their return to Carriacou, the group will conduct a workshop for other fishermen who were displaced by the SIOBMPA whereby they would impart the knowledge and skills learnt from their Dominican counterparts to local fishermen. The workshop would provide for construction, deployment and use of one FAD which will be accessible for other fishermen to conduct fishing activities. It is also expected that the SIOBMPA Management Board would spearhead future efforts to construct and deploy additional FADs to expand fishing opportunities.

Conservation and Culture Find Compromise on St. Kitts (St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network)

St. Kitts and Nevis has an open harvest in which all species of sea turtles, regardless of their population status, may be captured and rendered from October 1st through February 28th annually. This harvest places significant pressure on St. Kitts hawksbill populations as it is estimated that at least 60-100 hawksbills are taken annually in St. Kitts. This does not include the numbers and species rendered in Nevis. Recognizing the importance of this harvest to the remaining fishermen who participate from both a cultural and financial standpoint, the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network (SKSTMN), the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC), Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), and the St. Kitts Fisheries Department have partnered in an initiative to provide non-consumable sources of income for these individuals for participation in capture and release and sea turtle education programs, as opposed to rendering, ensuring that these animals will be here for future generations. Sea turtle education programs will also be implemented. All of this work is being proposed in exchange for not killing and rendering the captured sea turtles, ensuring that these animals will be here for future generations.

2009-2010

Training of Fishermen in Fish Farming - Belize

The Fisheries Department in collaboration with the National Fishermen Cooperative Society Limited accessed grant funding through the Small Grants Program under the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) for promoting sustainable fishing practices and alternative livelihoods for fishers under the capacity building framework of UNEP-CEP and its Regional Coordinating Unit in Jamaica (UNEP-CAR/RCU), as well under the Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Managers Network & Forum with support of the Swedish International Development Agency.

The funding request was made on the basis of the need to provide economic diversification opportunities for traditional fishermen in the face of declining catch rates and harvests, and the prospects of increasing poverty. The Cooperative has also expressed an interest to engage in commercial tilapia farming in the medium-term and has developed a project proposal for this undertaking in which some of these fishermen will be directly involved while at the same time reducing fishing pressures. The Fisheries Department has realized the huge fishing pressure being exerted on the Belize Barrier Reef System and as such is embarking in developing alternative livelihoods or income generating opportunities for the fisher folks.

The main component of the project was to implement a two-days training workshop for thirty (30) fishermen in fish farming (focus on tilapia farming) which would be comprised of a one-day theory and one-day field visit to some of the farms already engaged in tilapia production. Part of the lectures would also include a presentation on the recent amendments to the Fisheries Regulations that are geared towards ensuring responsible fishing practices and the sustainability of the fisheries sector.

The first day theory session was focused at providing 30 fishermen with detailed presentations ranging from an overview of the aquaculture sector, husbandry aspects involved in tilapia production and regulatory agencies involved in the development process of aquaculture. One of the presentations also provided an update of the Fisheries Regulations which included the protection of Sport Fish Species, regulations for protection of ‘Grazers’ such as the parrot fish species, Nassau Grouper Management measures and the need for landing all fish fillet with a skin patch. Other information provided was also on the zoning regulations for the Marine Protected Areas.

The second day was mostly to complement the theory lectures which were comprised of a field visit to three tilapia farms. These included a field tour of the Fisheries Department Biscayne Tilapia Seedstock Production Facilities whereby fingerlings are produced for supplying small scale fish farmers in Belize; also, a field trip to the Belizean Christian Efforts – Small Scale Tilapia Farm in Flowers Bank Village, Belize District and the Fresh Catch Commercial tilapia production facilities near La Democracia Village in the Cayo District. At the end of the workshop, all participants were provided with a Certificate of Participation. Fishermen were also provided with hard copies of all the power point presentations as well as a copy of a technical manual on tilapia farming.

Training of Soufriere Fishers in Longline Fishing Techniques St. Lucia and Grenada

Information to come

Fly-fishing training workshop for artisanal fishers from Dominican Republic - Venezuela - Dominican Republic

The original project could not be implemented as it was intended. However, the primary objective was successfully achieved. We encountered difficulties in getting the visas for the Dominican fishermen to travel to Venezuela. Therefore we decided to carry out the exchange in the Dominican Republic and bring a fly-fishing guide from Los Roques Archipelago National Park (Venezuela) to promote the recreational fishery and train the fishermen from Punta Cana and La Caleta. Carlos Marcano, a renowned fishing guide and a former artisanal fishermen from Los Roques, was our first choice. He was honored by the invitation and excited to travel outside Venezuela for the first time. Working together with with Reef Check Dominican Republic (RC-DR) and Punta Cana Ecological Foundation (PCEF) we planned the workshop to be held in Punta Cana, so we could also reach the fishermen from this area. Ruben Torres, director RC-DR, chose Luis Manuel Nolasco (Morenito), an enthusiastic fisherman from La Caleta, to attend this workshop. The other participants were members of the Fishermen Association of Juanillo in Punta Canta and were invited by PCEF.

The modification of the original project turned out to be more beneficial, since we were able to reach a larger number of artisanal fishermen than we first planned. A total of eighth fishermen attended and completed the five day workshop. Valuable training and capacity building were provided during this workshop in which fishermen learned about: 1) the fishing equipment and how to assemble it; 2) different fly-fishing knots; 3) fly-fishing and casting techniques; 4) the different kinds of flies and bates, and which one to use depending on the local conditions; 5) where to look for bonefish and other valuable species for the recreational industry; 6) how to “fight” a fish without harming it; 7) how to safely release a fish; 8) the duties of fishing guide and how to treat and how to treat your customers; 9) how to improve your boat to take clients out to fish and finally, 10) tips on how to promote your recreational fishing business. Additionally to the workshop, we are making a short documentary about this initiative in order to promote recreational fishery as an alternative livelihood for fishermen in other regions of the Caribbean. Fishermen from Punta Cana and La Caleta are aware that their fishing practices are no longer sustainable and they are willing to migrate to other alternatives. However, they were worried that this other alternative will not be as lucrative. During the workshop they learned from the experience of Carlos Marcano, who was also an artisanal fishermen and has become a successful fishing guide. After the workshop they were optimistic about pursuing recreational fishery as alternative livelihood. Finally, we believe that by engaging local organizations like Reef Check and Punta Cana Ecological Foundation, we can guarantee the continuity of this initiative. After the workshop, the fishermen, in alliance with these local organizations, will be in a better position to develop sustainable livelihoods through stakeholder co-management.

2008-2009

Caribbean fishers collaborating on suitable gear and techniques that will contribute to sustainable fisheries – Grenada

Hosted by the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations. The use of some fishing gear and techniques can result in negative impacts on the ecosystem, reducing fishers’ ability to sustain catches and livelihoods. The Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) has as its mission“to improve the quality of life for fisherfolk and develop sustainable and profitable industry through networking, representation and capacity building” to be “…achieved through the ecosystem based management of fisheries resources”. In order to do this, fishers need to understand ecosystem based management (EBM) and its relationships to their livelihood activities. Exchanges of knowledge and information about the practices adopted by fishers in their respective countries in the fisheries for lobster, reef fish, snappers and pelagics would be valuable in determining what gear and techniques would best contribute towards sustainable harvesting of our resources and sustainable livelihoods. CNFO is a network of fisherfolk leaders well equipped to benefit from such an exchange and share the benefits with others through its organisational membership. Its external partners in this include Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Instistute (GCFI), Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), University of the West indies – Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES), Caribbean Natural Resources Instistute (CANARI) and others with similar aims.

The CNFO, with the financial assistance of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), executed the project Caribbean fishers collaborating on suitable gear and techniques that will contribute to sustainable fisheries. Fishers from ten different fisherfolk organisations and nine Caribbean countries participated in the exchange held in Gouyave, St. Johns, Grenada, during 1st to 3rd April 2009. In addition to fishers there were resource persons from the University of the West Indies’ Centre for Environment Research and Management Studies (CERMES) and from the Grenada Fisheries Division.

The exchange involved interactive presentations using multimedia projector and flipchart. Also included were practical sessions which allowed participants to produce, examine and discuss some of the gear and techniques presented. Participants were able, using knowledge gained, to produce a list of recommendations on gear and techniques. <read the full report - pdf>

Gladding Memorial Award Regional Fishers Summit — Fishers Working for Sustainable Fisheries – Miami

Hosted by the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute In 2004, the Gulf Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other partners developed the Gladding Memorial Award (GMA), named in honor of patriarch fisherman Peter Gladding. The award annually recognizes fishers who demonstrate, through word and action, their commitment to sustainable use and conservation of marine resources in the Caribbean and Gulf region. To date, the following ten fishers have received the award (Annex 1 provides their affiliations).

The GMA is a fundamental part of GCFI’s Fisheries for Fishers Initiative which provides capacity and empowers fishers to participate in the regional marine resource governance process, which also includes Fishers Forums held at recent GCFI events. The ethic of long-term sustainability endorsed by GMA recipients in concert with their accomplishments and commitment to engage organized fishers and other stakeholders in the wise use and conservation of regional marine resources attest to the success of the GMA program.

A momentum has grown around the GMA that is fueled by the fishers themselves and the landscape reality that there are no other initiatives in the region that are attempting to incentivize fisher best practices at this scale. Therefore the GMA Committee within the GCFI Board of Directors has initiated a controlled expansion of the GMA initiative to utilize more of the award’s growing potential. To actualize these opportunities, a GMA Summit, the Gladding Memorial Award Regional Fishers Summit, with the sub-title ‘Fishers Working for Sustainable Fisheries’ is being planned as a principal component of the 62nd Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) which will convene in Cumaná, Venezuela during 2-6 November 2009. Informed approaches to long-term sustainability and conservation of marine resources in the region must include input from fishers, and the Summit, a regional landmark event, is based on the premise that sustainable livelihoods and use of marine resources in the region depend on responsible fishers being ‘at the table’ for discussions on how best to achieve these goals.

The GMA Summit Steering Committee was formed to identify opportunities available to fishers and managers relative to the fisher-driven Summit. The committee held its first meeting in Miami, Florida from May 11-13 to coordinate Caribbean-wide planning for this special event. Participants in the meeting included four GMA recipients: Don DeMaria, Anderson Kinch, Jaime Medina and Toribio Mata, and Mitchell Lay (leader of the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organizations), members of the GMA committee and other invitees.

Properly coordinated planning for the Summit was necessary to provide the unique opportunity to develop a ‘framework for action’ that emphasizes fisher regional networking and cooperation keyed on regional strategies for sustainable marine resource use with fishers and other fisherfolk having a direct role in decision-making and implementation. The meeting included one and one-half days of interactive discussions conducted within a series of technical sessions, followed by a visit to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), Southeast Fisheries Science Center. A multimedia projector was used during the session discussions for purposes of ‘note taking’ and recording pertinent discussion points, thereby enabling all meeting participants to become fully engaged in the discussion process. The meeting was characterized as a ‘collective’ of ideas, opinions and perspectives from those who, according to GMA recipient Capt. Anderson Kinch, ‘fish, study fish or eat fish’.

Following the technical session discussions, participants ranked (Highest, Medium, Lowest) each session topic as to its priority as a potential Summit agenda item based on its level of interest to all regional fishers, some fishers, and other GCFI participants (scientists, managers, etc.). Those rankings revealed a hierarchy of session themes that represented issues to be given summit level consideration. Furthermore, a consensus was reached regarding the general content (ingredients) of the Summit:

• What is the Summit’s main message
• Oral tradition of fishers; they prefer to talk
• Delivery aimed to facilitate retention of messages
• Minimal technology, maybe just photos
• Product required to capture “stories”
• GMA fishers as ambassadors
• Summit needs to “work for” GMA winners
• Use case “stories” NOT typical presentations
• Fisher advocacy as stakeholders and decision-makers

The Steering Committee identified priority areas to frame agenda development for the November Summit and developed details on how best to optimize GMA recipient and other fishing leader inputs. It was agreed that to succeed, the Summit must bring together all GMA recipients, other fishers representing a wide cultural diversity, managers, scientists, educators, students, private sector, and recipients of the UNEP/GCFI Small Grant Funds for Sustainable Fisheries and Alternative Livelihoods, in a facilitated, language interpreted event. Core Summit objectives are:

1. developing priorities for the long-term sustainability of the region’s marine resources, and hence sustainable livelihoods, from the fishers’ perspective;
2. recommending how organized fishers from across the region can have a voice in following up on those priorities or other fisheries initiatives.