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Improving the quality of life of Fisherfolk by developing a sustainable and profitable industry.
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EAF Principle #11: It is quite difficult to fully understand the dynamic, complex nature of marine ecosystems which changes often and is impacted by fishing and other activities.
This makes it hard to predict its resilience and the extent and reversibility of human impacts and how we can distinguish this from natural changes.
To remedy this, we can do three important things: (1) improve research to better understand ecosystems; (2) take measures that account for complexity and dynamics and are robust to uncertainty, and (3) give attention to transboundary impacts.
Do you have any other ideas for addressing uncertainty? Tell us in the comments below. #uncertainty #risk #precaution #eafprinciples
EAF Principle #10: Does your country have an active fisheries advisory committee, ocean governance committee, marine protected area board or a climate change committee OR any other type of EAF arrangement?
These forums take into account interactions with other types of uses of the ecosystem. They also foster connections between fisheries management institutions, other sectoral (Tourism, Health, Agriculture) institutions, and other institutions in charge of ecosystem maintenance.
We would love to hear experiences from persons who are familiar with or who sit on these committees. Tell us in the comments below.
For more information on NICs: bit.ly/NICsGuidance #Nics #institutionalintegration #eafprinciples
EAF Principle #9: A few days ago we mentioned the fact that ocean life doesn't live in a bubble. Fish and marine creatures rely on each other and interact in different ways.
For this reason, ecological relationships between harvested, dependent and related species must be maintained.
Measures such as minimizing bycatch and discards can protect endangered, threatened or protected species.
Do you know any innovative ways to reduce bycatch? Tell us in the comments below. #bycatch #eafprinicples
Today Blessing of boat in Grenada in celebrating Caribbean Fisherfolk Day. #29June
Blessing of landing site and boats in Saint Lucia today! Happy Fisherfolk Day.
Today we celebrate you, our essential workers in the fishing industry. Working hard on the front line to provide quality fish to feed the Caribbean.
We appreciate all you do! Enjoy this poem entitled 'The Fishermen' written and performed by Frank Gilkes (Fisher from Six Men's Bay, St. Peter, Barbados). youtu.be/Fn3rQJKVucw.
Happy Fisherfolk Day! #happyfisherfolkday #eafstrikeabalance
EAF Principle #8: Maintaining ecosystem integrity is important for promoting sustainability. It implies maintaining biodiversity at biological community, habitat, species and genetic levels and maintenance of the ecological processes that support both biodiversity and resource productivity.
What is your definition of ecosystem integrity? Tell us in the comments below. #integrity #ecosystemintegrity #eafprinciples
EAF Principle #7: When stocks are overfished, depleted populations must be restored to stable recruitment levels. There are initiatives that incorporate fishers into the science process in cooperative research activities and routine monitoring surveys conducted aboard fishing vessels.
Most successful rebuilding programmes incorporate substantial, measurable reductions in fishing mortality at the onset rather than relying on incremental small reductions over time .
What other measures can used to rebuild resources? #rebuilding #eafprinciples
EAF Principle #6: Fishing operations should be managed to minimize their impact on the structure, productivity, function and biological diversity of the ecosystem.
This would entail conducting fisheries in a manner that (i) does not threaten bycatch species; (ii) avoids mortality of, or injuries to, endangered, threatened or protected species and (iii) minimizes the impact of fishing operations on the ecosystem generally.
What other measures can be taken to minimize impacts? Let us know by commenting below. #eafprinciples
EAF Principle #5: For those stocks that are accidentally overfished, measures should be put in place so that there is a high chance that the stock(s) will recover.
If thresholds and limits are exceeded then changes can be irreversible. Sea urchin stocks in Barbados and Saint Lucia have collapsed in the past, but restoration efforts including multi-year closures and co-management have proven successful.
What restoration efforts have you implemented in your country? #impactreversibility #eafprinciples
EAF Principle #4: Understanding the maximum acceptable fishing level sheds light on this principle.
Measures should be designed to maintain... populations of harvested species at levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield. These measures need to be qualified by relevant environmental and economic factors.
It is important to note that MSY should be considered as a "limit" to be avoided and not as a target to be reached. Do you agree with this strategy? Do you have an alternative approach? Let us know in the comments below. #maximumsustainableyield #EAFprinciples
SLEEP IN PEACE Mr. Havland Honeygan. We remember you when you were wcoming the CNFO executive members to Jamiaca on a workshop visit back in March 2017. Peace and love sir! You will live on in our memory.
Mr. Havelon Honeyghan a member of the CNFO family. Sir to you we say sleep in heavenly peace.
😔Honeyghan was the president of the umbrella organisation of Jamaica, the Jamaica Fishermen's Co-op Union.
We will miss your rich positive presence!