The use and development of ICTs in the Small Scale Fisheries Sector in the

Caribbean

Caricom and CRFM

CRFM

The Caribbean Common Market was established with the Treaty of Chaguaramus in 1973.

The Countries that make up Caricom is spread across the Caribbean Sea, we also have Belize in Central America and Suriname and Guyana in South America.

The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) was Established in 2003 by Caricom to manage the Fisheries Sector

The CRFM serves as the core for a complex interaction network of a wide variety of stake holders in the Fisheries Sector.

Map of the Region

Map of the Caribbean Region

ChallengesThe CRFM had to conduct a NEEDS ASSESSMENT of the Fishing Organizations in the Region. (They were at varying levels of functionality Deficiencies had to be addressed (CTA sponsored project to strengthen the organizations.(2003 to 2006) The region is faced by states with different languages and nationality. (Dutch, French and Spanish)

The high cost of telephone and internet communication

Lack of skilled fisher folk in the use of the computers. (Sometimes the Fisheries Division in the respective countries had to be used as the link to the Fisher folk)

High cost of travel.

The CNFO

Communication

Our network was established to disseminate information and assist in the management of the sector in these Caribbean Community states under the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) therefore networking in the sector becomes imperative.

To facilitate this process a Coordinating Unit (CU) was established. This unit which is regional in nature is made up of representatives of national fishing organizations in the respective states.

Website

Communication

•  About CNFO

• HistoryIn 2003/04, a CTA/CARDI/CRFM regional study examined the organizational needs and operational strengths and weaknesses of existing national and primary or community-based Caribbean fisher folk organizations and made recommendations to address them. At a CTA/CARDI/CRFM Regional Workshop held in Belize in 2004 to review the study and recommendations, an explicit recommendation was made to launch a regional network of national fisher folk organizations. It was also decided that the network would be established when at least 50% of the ACP countries + 1 would have NFOs. In this context, a Working Group was created to develop a strategy for the launching of the network .

Website

Communication

• Our website is linked to that of Caricom Fisheries.

• www.caricom-fisheries.com

• The website posed some challenges as it only gave information and we did not receive information from the fisher folk through the site. (Administrator.)

The Yahoo Group

Communication

• To facilitate two way communication, the Yahoo Group was created, where any fisher folk is encouraged to become members, there they can post information.

• www.fisherfolk_networks@yahoogroups.com

Podcasts

Communication

• Podcasts were experimented with for a while, this however only provided listening capabilities.

• They featured information on policy and gear type.

Innovative Software and capabilities

mFisheries 2.0

• Software created by Computer and Electrical Engineering Department of the University of the West Indies

• It is an interactive software

• The is an INFO ZONE – Preparation for sea– Rules of the road– Survival at Sea– Handling of Fish– Engine maintenance– Fishing Methods

Continued

mFisheries 2.0

• First Aid Tips : – CPR – Bleeding– Chocking– Heat exhaustion– Exposure to cold– Sea Sickness

mFisheries software

mFisheries 2.0

• GPS Capabilities• GFNF - Got Fish Need Fish• Prices• Compass• Info Zone

• The report on this software is attached on the next slide

Report

mFisheries 2.0

Currently being tested

mFisheries 2.5

Has voting capabilities

Objective

Conclusion

• We hope to develop the regions institutional capacity in the fisheries sector and to provide opportunities for the voice of fisher folk into regional fisheries governance and management policy and planning processes.

• At the moment the average age for fisher folk in the region is 54 years, we are hoping that with more open and innovative software for the sector, it will encourage youths to enter the sector as it will also promote the earning of higher returns and achieve some level of food security.