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Improving the quality of life of Fisherfolk by developing a sustainable and profitable industry.
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The CNFO pilots its “Leadership Institute” on April 1, 2020. The Institute is intended to promote, support and develop leaders in Caribbean fisherfolk organisations by providing tools and services. The four pillars of the institute are training, mentoring, forum and library.
Eight CNFO members will virtually meet for a training session “Exploring Leadership” conducted by Mr. Mitchell Lay CNFO Program Coordinator. (Due to unforeseen situation the 31st March 2020 date had to be postponed to 1st April 2020 @ 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. UTC-4
Acknowledgements:
- Caribbean ICT Research Programme (UWI-CIRP)
- Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies of the University of the West Indies (UWI-CERMES) --- StewardFish – Developing Organisational Capacity for Ecosystem Stewardship and Livelihoods in Caribbean Small-Scale Fisheries (StewardFish) project
Comment how you or your organisation is being affected by COVID-19. What steps are being taken to assist fisherfolk in your area?
Thanks to the fisherfolk that registered. Despite certain restrictions we face due to COVID-19, we are pleased that our online LEADERSHIP TRAINING scheduled for 31st March has not been affected.StewardFish – Developing Organisational Capacity for Ecosystem Stewardship and Livelihoods in Caribbean Small-Scale Fisheries (StewardFish) project supporting the CNFO to organise a Leadership Institute. The 1st online training will be on 31st March 2020 and facilitated by Mr. Mitchell Lay.
Click for information note on online training 31st March: cnfo.fish/?mdocs-file=2277
Click for registration form: cnfo.fish/?mdocs-file=2275
StewardFish – Developing Organisational Capacity for Ecosystem Stewardship and Livelihoods in Caribbean Small-Scale Fisheries (StewardFish) project supporting the CNFO to organise a Leadership Institute. The 1st online training will be on 31st March 2020 and facilitated by Mr. Mitchell Lay.
Click for information note on online training 31st March: cnfo.fish/?mdocs-file=2277
Click for registration form: cnfo.fish/?mdocs-file=2275
Belize Fishermen Cooperative Association wanted fair treatment for fishers and said No to the ban of gillnet fishing in Belize. OCEANA and its coalition demanded a ban by the end of 2019, the government decided otherwise. Gillnet fishing continues in 2020...
Happy New Year 2020 from the CNFO. A message from Mr. Adrian LaRoda, Deputy Chair of the CNFO!
Mr. Winsbert Harry started fishing at the age of 15. Over 10 years ago Winsbert joined Goodwill Fisherman Coop Society Ltd. That same year he was elected a member of board of directors (5 members make up the board). At this particular AGM, which happened to be Winsbert’s first AGM he was very motivated and vocal. The cooperative at this time only involved boat owners. Boat owners could buy shares and sit on the executive, however, Winsbert at this meeting challenged that. He recommended that fishers could sit on the board and be able to buy shares equally like the boat owners. This recommendation was received and Winsbert was amongst the first set of fishers sitting on the board of directors.
In 2009 Winsbert won the SVG Fisherman of the year, landing 870 lbs fish. He is the youngest fisher to win this award. In 2010, he was nominated to be the chairperson of the “fisherman day” committee and served for 3 years, thereafter served for another 3 years as Vice Chair. When the CNFO was registered Winsbert became the Fisheries Liaison Officer from 2012 to present. Winsbert created the 1st national fisherfolk football team in SVG (2014 to present). On 7th June 2019 the Ministry of Sustainable Development recognised the NFO and the leadership on World Oceans Day.
Winsbert was instrumental in assisting CALIFICO fisherman Coop. This cooperative has about 75 active fishers and 160 registered fishers that fish the area of the marine park. These fishers would have been tremendously affected by the declaration of the park however, Winsbert was instrumental in engaging the fishers from Calliaqua to access funding from the Eastern Caribbean Marine Managed Areas Network (ECMMAN) project to train 15 fishers in 60 feet open water dive and ensured they were PADI certified. They received additional support to generate income for the cooperative.
Currently there is a development happening at Rose Place. The government is working on a port development that will displace an entire community, Rose Place. Winsbert primary organisation, Goodwill fisherfolk is the only cooperative operating in this area. As the director of this organisation, and a fisher living in this community, he is very active and vocal about the need to preserve this area for the fishing community. 45 boats are going to be removed and about 80 people who live directly on the beach. He is fighting for fair treatment for people who will be displaced.
In 2013 Winsbert boat capsized at sea around 45 miles from St. Vincent, he spent two days swimming to try and save his life. He cried thinking he was not sure if he would see his young children again. He was rescued by a boat named “God is Love”. When Winsbert did not return home, it was alarming and the boat captain went in search of Winsbert and his crew. Winsbert is happy to be alive to tell the tale. Two years later a boat capsized, and Winsbert was able to rescue them. From this experience Winsbert is an advocate for safety at sea. He speaks to fishers to ensure that they have all safety equipment on board when going out fishing. Also, you may remember Winsbert making a presentation at the 2017 GCFI conference. “Mobile applications for fishermen: catching ICT at sea and on the road” and in 2019 he received the Gladden Memorial Award. The annual award is presented to select fishers who demonstrate a significant commitment to the sustainable use of marine resources in the Gulf and Caribbean region.
Mr. Mitchell at the International Symposium on Fisheries Sustainability, Rome.Mitchell Lay delivering the Keynote Address on Securing Sustainable Fisheries Livelihoods at the International Symposium on Fisheries Sustainability in Rome, Italy.
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#sustainablefisheries #smallscalefisheries #gladdingmemorialaward #sustainability #fisheries #fisheriesambassador #fisheriesforfishers
Sean Walker, a bona-fide fisherman, was born, raised and resides in Gouyave, St. John’s: the fishing capital of Grenada. He is highly motivated and a dedicated fisher with good leadership qualities and good interactive skills. He is an active member of the Gouyave Fishermen Co-operative Society Ltd and is a lead fisher supporting and promoting conservation and sustainable practices by fishers and other stakeholders. As a volunteer, he participated in a Climate Change Adaptation community awareness program in 2018.
Sean has 18+ years record of fishing experience in both inshore and deep-sea fishing techniques; he is the owner and captain of a fishing vessel targeting mainly yellowfin tuna. Sean, after attending primary school, graduated from the New Life Organisation (NEWLO), a Life Skills and Vocational Training Centre for Youth. As a Fisher, he participated at various Fisheries workshops and training sessions and is the holder of many local certificates. He is also certified by the Caribbean Fisheries Training and Development Institute (Trinidad) in several disciplines. Sean is a trained MPA ranger.
Today is World Fisheries Day!
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Mitchell Lay, a small-scale fisher from Antigua and Barbuda, speaks about the importance of World Fisheries Day for the millions of small-scale fishers aroun...CNFO's Mitchell Lay is a keynote speaker at the International Fisheries Symposium in Rome. If you happen to be awake join the Webcast Wednesday 20th November 2019 at 3:30 a.m Easter Caribbean time or 8:30 a.m Rome time.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Webcast
www.fao.org
International Fisheries Symposium Session 4 (Securing sustainable fisheries livelihoods) and Session 5 (Securing sustainable fisheries livelihoods).Latest Edition of the CNFO newsletter is here!!!!
Fisherfolk Net September and October 2019 - Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations
cnfo.fish
We are pleased to share our latest newsletter with you.Climate Change Adaptation of the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries (CC4FISH) and the Poverty Nexus for Enhancing Resilient Fisheries Livelihoods and Food security in Barbados, Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis Projects collaborated on a one day workshop:
Developing a value chain for the Nevis Fisherman’s Marketing & Supply Co-operative” , November 14, 2019 , Conference Room, Department of Agriculture, Nevis.