How can partnerships be fostered and strengthened to include the ‘voices’ of the marginalized?
A marginalized group is one which is excluded from the decision making process, and since they represent a small proportion of the population, their needs for development and sustainability can be easily overlooked. The needs of marginalized groups such as Small Scale Fisheries (SSF) are easily side tracked or “fall through the cracks” as decisions for sustainability are made using the vast majority of the population as the priority. It is thus necessary to examine how important partnerships are for the SSF in order to strengthen their voices and ensure their sustainability.
The contribution of SSF to GDP may not be recognizable, since most of their catches are consumed by their families and villagers. As a result, SSF are marginalized and thus, their voices will not be heard unless supported by the Government, Private Sector or Civil Society. SSF usually require such support because they lack the necessary resources, such as; literacy, technical skills, share of market, mechanical equipment and many other factors that could contribute to their empowerment. However, partnership between one of the listed entities above and SSF can help to enhance their significance and ensure their sustainability; especially since their livelihoods are at stake.
As a result, the government can help small scale fishers by providing rights necessary for the fishery resource and land, in order to prevent bullying from larger scale fisheries, thus avoiding the depletion of vital resources in the area. The government can also provide loans and easy credit to the SSF in an attempt to stimulate their production scale and contribute to their sustainability. The civil society can initiate a SSF Cooperative Society; to facilitate educational seminars on fishery practices and handling, provide a place where added trade can take place and also to encourage and promote SSF. Finally, the private sector can contribute to strengthening the ‘voices’ of the SSF by sponsoring rental boats, providing rental storage, and facilitating transportation to larger markets.
Through assistance, co-operation and partnership, SSF can be empowered and thus categorized as a group actively involved in the decision making process for a country, as opposed to being marginalized.
Source: (2012) FAO/CRFM Caribbean Regional Consultation on the Development of International
Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small - Scale Fisheries: Group Work Guidance Notes
How can partnerships be fostered and strengthened to include the ‘voices’ of the marginalized?
A marginalized group is one which is excluded from the decision making process, and since they represent a small proportion of the population, their needs for development and sustainability can be easily overlooked. The needs of marginalized groups such as Small Scale Fisheries (SSF) are easily side tracked or “fall through the cracks” as decisions for sustainability are made using the vast majority of the population as the priority. It is thus necessary to examine how important partnerships are for the SSF in order to strengthen their voices and ensure their sustainability.
The contribution of SSF to GDP may not be recognizable, since most of their catches are consumed by their families and villagers. As a result, SSF are marginalized and thus, their voices will not be heard unless supported by the Government, Private Sector or Civil Society. SSF usually require such support because they lack the necessary resources, such as; literacy, technical skills, share of market, mechanical equipment and many other factors that could contribute to their empowerment. However, partnership between one of the listed entities above and SSF can help to enhance their significance and ensure their sustainability; especially since their livelihoods are at stake.
As a result, the government can help small scale fishers by providing rights necessary for the fishery resource and land, in order to prevent bullying from larger scale fisheries, thus avoiding the depletion of vital resources in the area. The government can also provide loans and easy credit to the SSF in an attempt to stimulate their production scale and contribute to their sustainability. The civil society can initiate a SSF Cooperative Society; to facilitate educational seminars on fishery practices and handling, provide a place where added trade can take place and also to encourage and promote SSF. Finally, the private sector can contribute to strengthening the ‘voices’ of the SSF by sponsoring rental boats, providing rental storage, and facilitating transportation to larger markets.
Through assistance, co-operation and partnership, SSF can be empowered and thus categorized as a group actively involved in the decision making process for a country, as opposed to being marginalized.
Source: (2012) FAO/CRFM Caribbean Regional Consultation on the Development of International
Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small - Scale Fisheries: Group Work Guidance Notes