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In my opinion ...
The fisheries sector has the potential to become an important tool in the diversification of our economies. However, given the apparent state of exploitation and the current economicimportance of the marine fishery resources of the eastern Caribbean, it is timely to consider the development of a new approach to managing these resources.In the OECS, the concept of Island Systems Management (ISM) is seen as the new paradigmfor the management of the natural resources of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Thisapproach applies a participatory, multi-sectoral strategy within an appropriate institutional andlegal framework for integrated resource management, and gives cognisance to the fact thatsmall islands are influenced by their surrounding marine environment and themselves impactthe seas around them in a time frame much shorter than for larger land masses. Within thisframework, management efforts are geared towards mitigating not only the deficiencies withregard to one specific management issue, but rather combining the “treatment” to combat allthe symptoms of the “disease”.The fisheries industry is globally considered over-capitalised, however in my opinion, thefishing industry in the Caribbean has been “badly capitalised” rather than “over-capitalised”,notwithstanding accepting that the near-shore fisheries are most likely over-exploited. Fisheryscience has, until recently, paid inadequate attention to the management and development of the industry within a holistic framework. The need for a fisheries (the industry as a whole)assessment, as opposed to stock assessment, is required to have a comprehensive andholistic view of the industry; to better inform a development policy and management plan for the fisheries industry, i.e. objective driven rather than driven by simply the assessment of thefish stocks. The overemphasis on stock assessment has diverted attention away from fisheryassessment, and the consequent implementation of a development policy and strategic planfor the entire industry.ISM will facilitate the comprehensive and holistic view of the industry, diverting attention moretowards the stated developmental objectives of the country and the role that the fisheries playin attaining those objectives. ISM also involves increasing the participation of fishery managersin the development control process thereby ensuring that due consideration is given to theimpacts of development projects on fisheries resources; and, the direct and indirect impactsthat agricultural and construction practices can have on the near-shore marine habitats.Legal instruments also become important in this instance since there is a need to regulate theactivities creating externalities. Rigorous enforcement of regulations needs to be coupled withthe use of the consultative process to increase awareness of all stakeholders to the long termimpacts of destructive fishing methods; the participatory approach can lead to a change inattitudes reducing the need for enforcing regulations. Educating stakeholders, particularlyfishers, and engaging them in discussion may convince them to make the types of changesthat would lead to a reduction in the deleterious impacts of fishing. Consultation with anddiscussion among fishers in the right fora would increase the chances of voluntary changes infishing practice.
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