Objectives
The REBYC-II LAC project contributed to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s strategic framework by striving to address both the need for environmental sustainability and socioeconomic development in the short and long-term. This balanced and holistic approach, with both people and the environment in focus, was consistent with FAO’s mandate and operational competencies applicable at the time of implementation.
The project related specifically to FAO’s five Strategic Objectives (SO). For example, SO 2 worked to increase and improve provision of goods and services from agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a sustainable manner. Components 2 and 3 of the project contributed to SO 3 (Reduce Rural Poverty) and SO4 (Enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems at local, national and international levels). In particular the project will supported Latin American and Caribbean fisheries by:
- Making fisheries more productive and sustainable by addressing unsustainable fishing practices through EAF and at the same time promoting equitable distribution of benefits through enhanced understanding of the socioeconomic context of the shrimp/bottom trawl fisheries and bycatch subsectors;
- Eliminating hunger by supporting policies and political commitments to this end and by improving the knowledge and information on the role of bycatch in food security;
- Promoting inclusive fishery systems by introducing or strengthening co-management arrangements and supporting the implementation of the SSF Guidelines;
- Creating decent rural employment as part of “increasing access by the rural poor to decent farm and non-farm employment";
- Promoting the reduction of discards and utilization of sustainable bycatch the project will contribute to reducing food loss and waste.
The Global Environment Objective of the project is to reduce the negative ecosystem impact and achieve more sustainable shrimp/bottom trawl fisheries in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region through implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), including bycatch and habitat impact management.
The Development Objective of the project is to strengthen resilience of coastal communities through promotion of responsible fishing practices and livelihoods enhancement and diversification contributing to food security and poverty eradication.
Component 1
Improving institutional and regulatory frameworks for shrimp/bottom trawl fisheries and co-management
This component focused on the institutional and legal arrangements, and frameworks for co-management. Considering that many of the issues and concerns with respect to shrimp and trawl fisheries are shared in the region, a regional collaboration was necessary. With the help of regional fishery bodies, regional cooperation that allows for sharing of experience and mobilization of political support for action was promoted.
Outcomes
- Regional collaboration on shrimp/bottom trawl fisheries and bycatch management strengthened and best practices identified and shared through the regional fisheries organizations.
- Legal and institutional frameworks in the project countries for shrimp and bottom trawl fisheries and bycatch co-management improved.
Component 2
Strengthening bycatch management and responsible trawling practices within an EAF framework
This component focused on pilot activities in each project country. Using the enabling frameworks and capacities developed under Component 1, co-management plans were developed and implemented through participatory processes in selected pilot sites. Important elements included the collection of improved information on bycatch and discards, and establishment of monitoring arrangements that allow for systematic collection and analysis of relevant data, including traditional and local knowledge. Work was conducted on identifying and adapting suitable technologies and/or management measures applying participatory processes and co-management. This component also looked into alternative fishing methods for catching shrimp, i.e. non-trawling techniques. The feasibility of introducing such methods was assessed in a selected number of pilot sites and experiences shared among project countries and the wider region.
Outcomes:
- Selected key shrimp/bottom trawl fisheries in the region successfully co-managed through the implementation of agreed management plans leading to the reduction of discards in pilot fisheries.
- An enabling environment in the project countries that creates positive incentives in promoting responsible practices by trawl operators.
Component 3
Promoting sustainable and equitable livelihoods through enhancement and diversification
This component addressed livelihood issues related to the shrimp/bottom trawl fisheries sector. The logic behind this component was that if changes are made in management that reduces bycatch, there will be potential impacts on income and food security for those who previously used bycatch. Likewise, if improved management of the sector leads to a reduction of the shrimp/bottom trawler fleet, alternative employment for fishers and fish workers needs to be sought. To be able to address these issues, a better understanding of who is using bycatch and how, was needed. Value chain analyses, including a gender analysis, will be carried out with a view to improving this understanding of the value and role of bycatch for men and women and different actors, giving particular consideration to vulnerable groups and individuals. This component also included an analysis of livelihoods and identification of strengths and opportunities that could be built on to enhance sustainability, as well as support to organizational development.
Outcomes:
- New income generating opportunities for men and women were identified.
- Capacities and opportunities for enhanced sustainable and diverse livelihoods were created and gender equality promoted within the sector. Gender equality in fisheries was promoted.
Component 4
Project progress monitoring, evaluation and information dissemination and communication.
The objective of this component was to ensure systematic progress on monitoring of the project’s outcomes and outputs, including its annual goals, as established in the project results framework. Furthermore, lessons learnt and good practices were broadly disseminated for use in the wider region and in other regions where shrimp/bottom trawl fishery is associated with bycatch issues.
Outcome
- Project implementation is based on results-based management and the project findings and lessons learned are applied in future operations.
- REBYC-III CLME+ (2023-2027) Strategies, technologies, and social solutions to manage bycatch in tropical Large Marine Ecosystem Fisheries The objective is to manage bycatch and reduce discards in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+) thereby promoting sustainable and responsible fisheries that provide economic opportunities while ensuring the conservation of marine living resources. The project will address technology, governance and social elements of improving fisheries, whilst having one component dedicated to Knowledge Management and lesson learning. Participating countries are Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. This project is implemented by FAO and executed by the University of West Indies (UWI), along with sister project Enhancing capacity for the adoption and implementation of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in the shrimp and groundfish fisheries of the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (EAF4SG). For further details on objectives and outcomes, see UWI REBYC-III CLME+ webpage.
Across all phases, the REBYC Programme has contributed to more sustainable fisheries, improved legal and institutional frameworks, and fostered regional cooperation and capacity building for responsible fisheries management.