Jamaica-Belize Fisher Exchange

Location

Jamaica and Coastal Belize

Description

The Nature Conservancy (TNC), in collaboration with the Belizean NGO, Friends of Nature (FON), conducted a fisher learning exchange in April, 2008, to raise awareness and increase support for conservation efforts among Belizean and Jamaican fishers. Specifically, the exchange was implemented to promote best fishing practices from Belize to Jamaica, and to further encourage Belizean fishers to recognize the value of their resources and to continue to protect and manage them. A total of 11 fishers participated in the actual travel between Jamaica and Belize (7 Jamaicans, 4 Belizeans), with a significant number of additional fishers participating in local activities on site, as documented below.

Group photo of the Belizean-Jamaican Fisher Exchange. Photo © TNC

The exchange project had four main objectives:

To educate and raise awareness among approximately10-12 members (not all could attend due to effects of recent hurricane) of the Pedro Bank and wider South Coast fishing community in Jamaica, about the need for and benefits of sustainably-managed fisheries, and best (better) practices, using Belize as an example in order to support efforts towards effective management and conservation in Jamaica
To re-emphasize the need to continue supporting and spearheading sustainable fishing and conservation efforts among Belizean fishers, by illustrating a potential alternative (depleted Jamaican reef fisheries) if such efforts are not sustained in Belize
To establish a peer network between Pedro Bank fishers and experienced Belizean fishers, so that success and failures of management and conservation measures between countries are compared and shared to improve fisheries management and build fisher capacity in both countries
To produce an effective, compelling documentary film about the exchange, to be used as an awareness-raising tool to stimulate further discussion, concern and interest for the marine environment, among Jamaican and other Caribbean fishers and the general public

Fishers having lively discussions during the exchange. Photo © Julie Stockbridge/TNC

The exchange examined the following themes:

Legal framework and fisheries management regulations and enforcement (comparison between Belize and Jamaica)
Fisher organizations (associations, co-ops, etc.)
Sustainable fishing practices and gear
Sustainable fishing and alternative livelihoods
Zoning and no-take/reserve areas, MPAs, other conservation mechanisms
Connectivity and shared resources, e.g., conch and lobster
Stock depletion, historic vs. shifting baselines
Local and foreign fishing pressure

The exchange took place over a three week period in April, 2008, and started with the Belize contingent visiting fishing communities on Pedro Bank and the South Coast of Jamaica. A series of site visits and community meetings (on the Pedro Cays and in Treasure Beach, St. Elisabeth) were held where the Belizeans gave presentations on the current status of fisheries management in Belize. These presentations were followed by dynamic discussions on how to improve the current status in both countries, and what the next steps should be. Following this trip, the Jamaicans visited several marine protected areas in Belize, including: Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Gladden Spit Marine Reserve, and Laughing Bird Caye National Park; the fishing villages of Hopkins, Monkey River and Placencia; and the Belize City, Vernon Street, fish markets.

Fishers had opportunities to see the management activities of the places they visited. Photo © Aceion Prescott/TNC

The exchange was a definite success, and has already shown tangible benefits in increasing the level of awareness and support for management efforts among both the Jamaicans and the Belizeans. It has also empowered the Jamaican participants to take greater responsibility for their actions, share their exchange experience with fellow fishers, and demand greater commitment and action from the government agencies responsible for fisheries.

Face-to-face learning exchanges such as this one are tremendously valuable in educating fishers, and advancing fisheries management efforts. The final impact of creating awareness has led some fishermen, including long-time Belizean net fisherman Keith Jacobs, to hang up his nets for good. “What I saw in Jamaica…I never want to see happen here in Belize, so I’ve decided it’s time to stop fishing with nets,” said Mr. Jacobs. The exchange has left indelible impressions on both the Jamaicans and Belizeans, and has sparked the drive to move forward in sharing these experiences on a much larger scale.

Lessons Learned

Select a diverse group of participants—aim for a range of fishers, old and young, promoters of conservation and sustainability, and ‘non-believers’ (the converted often become the most committed). Be sure to include a few ‘veterans’ who have been supportive, and who believe in conservation efforts (they will set the example for the others). Make sure to have some basic criteria for selecting fishers and other participants, such as fishers using different methods of fishing, representing different geographic communities, etc.
Plan and design a tight but flexible and diverse program, so you do not lose fishers’ attention span and interest. Strive for a combination of hands-on field activities (e.g., fishing, diving, games), and informal and more formal discussion time (e.g., group meetings, presentations, etc.). Also provide social time, but not too much. Choose a small number of specific topics or themes to focus on—if your list is too long, you won’t achieve it all.
Make sure you have strong and dynamic facilitation, so you do not lose fishers’ attention and interest, and you make the most of your time, effort and money. Be sure to include within the facilitators group, people who the fishers know, have worked with previously, and are comfortable with.
Formalize the exchange process with participants to increase the level of commitment and follow-through (post-exchange) on their part. For example, with this exchange, a Fisher Exchange Agreement with a number of concrete objectives and commitments was created, which participants had to sign.
It is important to provide a small grant/stipend to the fishers, to supplement their income and acknowledge the work days lost. Make sure this is provided to them before travelling.
Site selection—ensure that the sites in both countries are compatible, and provide both similarities and differences for contrast and comparison. Avoid sites that are vastly different where viable solutions are not feasible in one of the two countries, in order to avoid creating false hope among the fishers.
Always have a ‘wrap-up’ meeting at the end of each day, no matter how tired everyone is, or if it is only 5 minutes long. It is important to make sure everyone is on the same page and for you to monitor how things are going and how things need to change.
Make sure to include an orientation about cultural differences and social protocols. This is very important to make both the visitors and the hosts feel comfortable. Ensure that ‘ground rules’ are established at the very beginning. When dealing with such a large and diverse group of people, in very close proximity over extended periods, these are absolutely essential to minimize misunderstandings and false expectations.

For more lessons learned, especially on reducing logistical challenges, see contact information, below.

Fisher Exchange Logo. Artwork donated by Fiona Godfrey, Jamaican painter

Funding Sources

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund
231 S. Bemiston Ave., Suite 600
Clayton, MO 63105

US National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

Contact Information

The Nature Conservancy
Southeast Caribbean Programme
10a Chelsea Ave., 2nd floor
Kingston 5, Jamaica
Primary contact: Nathalie Zenny, Marine Program Manager
Email: nzenny@tncnull.org
Tel: (876) 754-4579 ext. 34
Fax: (876) 754-2365

The Nature Conservancy
Belize Country Program
1899 Constitution Drive,
Belmopan City, Belize
Primary contact: Julianne Stockbridge, Marine Program Manager
Email: jrobinson@tncnull.org
Tel: (501) 822-0274
Fax: (501) 822-0277

Resources

Pedro Bank Project

TNC’s Belize Program

TNC’s Jamaica Program

MesoAmerican Reef Project (MAR)

No Boundaries, World Bank documentary production about exchange and Caribbean fisheries

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