D e v e l o pme n t : E q u a l i t i e s a n d s u s t a i n a b i l i t y requires funding as well as the South-South transfer of best practices in supporting the organisation of fisherfolk and their inclusion in decision making. An underlying principle ought to be that ecosystem-based management is carried out by the local community. This approach could usefully be supported by efforts in marine spatial mapping by environmental professionals, especially land surveyors, in order to allocate property rights to communities. Relevant best practices can be found in communitysupported management of marine protected areas, best evidenced in the Pacific locally managed marine areas (LMMAs) strategy for community-based and ecosystembased management of inshore coral reef fisheries, described in a CHEC report in the context of the Commonwealth Fisheries Programme as ‘governance without government’, given their relative autonomy and bottom-up nature. Putting emphasis on people and work. The Rio process, and now the Post-2015 agenda, has over time become more open to civil society and bottom-up planning in recognition of both the benefits of partnership with CSOs in delivering development goals and targets, and the risks to effective implementation of not having the ‘buy-in’ of key partners. The associated number of major groups will probably increase to include a wider set of stakeholders. In addressing sustainable and inclusive economic growth and trade, the usual division between Geneva and New York is likely to be blurred, with health and trade related items usually dealt with in Geneva coming into the New York sessions. Against this background, the Commonwealth must find ways to leverage its strengths in marine research and in building networks of co-operation, knowledge sharing and partnership between small-scale fishers and related businesses processing and fish trading. The importance of the industrial fishery to many Commonwealth nations, in particular the tuna exporting countries of the Pacific, is recognised, as are the growing efforts of producers, wholesalers and retailers, supported by NGOs, to implement sustainable sourcing and traceability using certification schemes, such as those developed by the Marine Stewardship Council. Part of this effort to ensure sustainability addresses not just sustainable production, but also awareness-building among consumers in importing nations, for example by means of the ‘traffic-light’ charts of endangered (red), at risk(amber) and sustainable (green) fisheries. Where policy-makers talk of alternative or supplementary livelihoods, it is vital that fisherfolk themselves co-determine take-up and that policy takes full account of the cultural aspects of fishing as a way of life, and that it respects the customary rights to the fishery of coastal communities. While fisherfolk are frequently happy to take up construction or mechanical work opportunities, as these are consistent with skills they already possess from boatbuilding and motor maintenance, and can be engaged in on a parttime basis that fits with fishing when appropriate, jobs in clothing factories may be less suited. Full recognition also needs to be given to the vital role of women in fisheries, particularly in collecting fish and shellfish in the inshore area, and in preparing and marketing fish in local areas, ensuring they have fair access to the catch but also supporting them in active health programmes for the prevention of health risks, in particular HIV/AIDS. Coastal communities must also be supported in adaptation to climate change and, where possible, in mitigation efforts, for example in shifting from a diesel economy to a renewable energy economy. There are some activities that can make a difference relatively quickly, such as mangrove (re-) planting or South- South transfer of marine protection policies and training of fisherfolk to exercise their voice in policy, thus ensuring their subsequent improved commitment to policy. Meanwhile, improved data could help curb corruption in fisheries policy. But such activities would be much more effective as components of a comprehensive Commonwealth approach to governance of oceans and fisheries. Such an approach would play to the strengths of both developed and developing nations of the Commonwealth, and should readily admit private sector partnership and support as the global and local fish trades seek to secure the long-term sustainability of their business. Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 118 Sustainable tourism: reef snorkeling providing supplementary livelihoods for fisherfolk Nicholas Watts
CGH13_ebook
To see the actual publication please follow the link above