cortez marine":xk9ieivn said:
My point is simply that the continuation of this industry in any form that we know it depends on the minority opinion that fisherman need to be converted wholesale to benign methodology.
{snip}
The solutions to convert this trade have more to do with cultural anthropolgy and an appreciation of better social development thru enlightened technology transfer at the village level. There are thankfully presenters who will be adressing this subject area [as will I]. Though not in the scope of the empiracists and the cyber mob, this is where the most worthwhile breakthrus will occur in the coming years.
Sincerely, Steve
Steve,
I think it even has to be a more integrative strategy than this.
You need to get the local government officials involved on a basic level.
Like a good neighborhood watch group- The folks in the villages need to apply basic social pressures to those who fish illegally to get them to switch. Watersheds that contribute to poor water quality need to be improved by re-planting trees or bamboo. Mangroves need to be re-introduced, even in small areas, to help with the fisheries. Basic fish handling techniques need to be taught to reduce mortality from collection to transport. Nets and jars and the basic tools of the trade need to be introduced. Locals need to set up and protect no-takes zones, especially during spawning aggregations. Call them Bantay Dagat or whatever, but get them out there and get them to protect their own resources. Finally, get the police involved (and train them!) on what the law is and how to properly enforce it. If the funds to pursue criminals are not available in the budget, the funds must be found, even if that means that the fishermen have to help contribute.
Most of all, it needs to be introduced to the US market and MARKETTED as being done the right way. Maybe that is through certification, maybe it isn't. That may be for the US market to decide.
I haven't even started in with the whole assessment, CAMP process, and sustainability issues. These also have to be integrated within this...
There are so many important pieces to the puzzle...
However, getting them trained, having the price support in place so that they actually are making money, is probably the first and most important piece. Demonstrate the benefit (money), and the rest can piggyback onto this.
There, Peter, you have my opinion in writing. Make sure it gets brought to the attention of the board at MO'04.
Regards.
Mike Kirda