SSF Regional Symposium for Latin America and the Caribbean

Click on the video above that captures the four days of the LAC SSF Regional Symposium.

The four-day SSF Regional Symposium for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Mazatlán, Mexico, brought together 70 participants to share experiences, research, lessons and stories about small-scale fisheries in the Latin America and the Caribbean, and to discuss their viability and sustainability. The symposium started with a visit to the fishing communities, which was a great learning opportunity for everyone. Presentations at the symposium covered a wide range of topics from across Mexico and the region. Many of the presentations were from students and early career scientists. More details about the symposium will be released next month with the launch of a new TBTI hub in Mexico!

The Symposium was hosted by TBTI Global and TBTI Mexico, in partnership with Faculty of Marine Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa.

This was the third symposium of the 2024 series under the theme ‘Bright Spots ~ Hope Spots’, following the Asia-Pacific symposium in Shizuoka, Japan, in April and the SSF Regional Symposium for Europe in Pervolia, Cyprus, in July of this year.

 

The symposium was organized to foster sharing of experiences, research, lessons and stories, and to encourage in-depth discussions about what more needs to be done to support viable and sustainable small-scale fisheries in LAC, in line with the principles and goals stipulated in the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries. 

Check out the video above that shows the highlights from the opening day of the Symposium (courtesy of  Communication Team at the University of Sinaloa / Comunicacion Social UAS URS).

Click on the image above to see some of photos taken during the second day of the Symposium (courtesy of  Communication Team at the University of Sinaloa / Comunicacion Social UAS URS).

Day 2: Wednesday, Oct 2nd

Key messages

  • Lack of knowledge of the processes and actors of fisheries value chains. Power imbalances and concentration in the hands of a few actors.
  • Similar problems in small-scale fisheries across countries (and across Mexican regions) are observed.
  • Exclusion of fishers in decision-making processes.
  • Trade-offs among community isolation and possibilities for economic diversification.
  • Need for effective networks, collaboration, and commitments – not only at the scientific level but also involving different fisheries stakeholders to improve the sustainability of small-scale fisheries.
  • There is no one-size-fits-all for small-scale fisheries.

Bright spots ~ Hope spots

  • Seeing small-scale artisanal fisheries as a business model using technological innovation and creativity can help strengthen value chains.
  • Economic diversification helps to improve fishers’ (and communities’) livelihoods and decrease risk and vulnerability.
  • The needs and perceptions of the fishers should be considered as the first step to advance towards sustainable management of fisheries resources > co-creation and participatory, bottom-up, processes are essential for successfully achieving the goals.
  • Food security plays a vital role, leading to an appreciation for the work of fishers.

Day 3: Thursday, Oct 3rd

Key messages

  • Women are key actors in small-scale fisheries value chains. However, their concrete roles and contributions remain invisible.
  • Lack of empowerment and recognition of fishers as small businessmen.
  • Recognition of the importance of traditional local knowledge of fishers (and other actors).
  • Lack of market information and monitoring.
  • Small-scale fisheries are essential for local livelihoods, food security and nutrition.
  • There is intergenerational transmission of values and views in small-scale fisheries > sense of place and cultural heritage
  • Sustainability assessments need the implementation of socio-economic indicators that can be applied or adapted in different realities and contexts
  • It is crucial to recognize that we have strong dichotomies, for instance, among the artisanal, the industrial, the traditional and the modern fisheries.

Bright spots ~ Hope spots

  • Greater involvement of women-led enterprises (e.g. Punta Herrero, QROO).
  • Women’s involvement is increasing in fishing permit registrations (Baja California Sur, Mexico).
  • Value addition through techniques that enhance the quality of seafood and also consider animal welfare.
  • ‘Sensibilidades Marítimas’.
  • Creation of adequate conditions for women to effectively engage in small-scale fisheries.

Key messages

  • Importance of the consideration of women in small-scale fisheries value chains and the legislation > increase visibility of women’s daily struggles through their own visions.
  • Trust relationships are essential to develop impactful research.
  • Transdisciplinarity approaches with the integration of local traditional knowledge > need to be systematized.
  • Interactive governance.
  • We need to reflect on the role and responsibility we (academia) have in transdiciplinary research and approaches.
  • Small-scale fisheries use the same regulations as large-scale fisheries.
  • We need to work in education.

Bright spots ~ Hope spots

  • Success stories > women’s visibility and empowerment
    • Pink Gold (México) > book about the small-scale fishing women workers in Mazatlan
    • Associação Das Mulheres Da Enseada Da Baleia (Brazil) > Women’s Association for Added-Value Seafood and Visibility of Women > fighting for formalization and regularization of women
  • Possible scalability of success cases.

The four-day SSF Regional Symposium for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Mazatlán, Mexico, brought together 70 participants to share experiences, research, lessons and stories about small-scale fisheries in the Latin America and the Caribbean, and to discuss their viability and sustainability. The symposium started with a visit to the fishing communities, which was a great learning opportunity for everyone. Presentations at the symposium covered a wide range of topics from across Mexico and the region. Many of the presentations were from students and early career scientists. More details about the symposium will be released next month with the launch of a new TBTI hub in Mexico!

The Symposium was hosted by TBTI Global and TBTI Mexico, in partnership with Faculty of Marine Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa.

This was the third symposium of the 2024 series under the theme ‘Bright Spots ~ Hope Spots’, following the Asia-Pacific symposium in Shizuoka, Japan, in April and the SSF Regional Symposium for Europe in Pervolia, Cyprus, in July of this year.

 

The symposium was organized to foster sharing of experiences, research, lessons and stories, and to encourage in-depth discussions about what more needs to be done to support viable and sustainable small-scale fisheries in LAC, in line with the principles and goals stipulated in the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries. 

Personal reflections

By Katina Roumbedakis

Participating in the SSF Regional Symposium for LAC  was a remarkable experience that impacted both my personal and professional perspectives. As a biologist and marine social scientist working with octopus fisheries sustainability, I found myself immersed in the dynamic and diverse landscape of small-scale fisheries cross the LAC region. The Symposium provided me with a unique opportunity to engage with the scientific research community, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and also allowed for engagement with local fishers and fishing communities during the pre-conference community day.

Professionally, the Symposium expanded my understanding of the complexities within small-scale fisheries governance and sustainability and the interconnected challenges facing the sector across the LAC region. Hearing first-hand the experiences of scientists from Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, and Chile, among others, on a diversity of topics added depth and news perspectives to my current Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) research project, SUCCEPHS. The transdisciplinary nature of the discussions resonated strongly with my proposed research objectives and reinforced that achieving sustainability in small-scale fisheries requires moving beyond traditional assessments, embracing a holistic approach that considers environmental, social, economic, and cultural dimensions.

Moreover, the Symposium provided valuable opportunities for networking and relationship-building with other experts in the field. Participating in the launch of the Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) México hub, and engaging in conversations with scientists and other stakeholders allowed me to exchange ideas and best practices. It was particularly inspiring to connect with individuals who shared similar research interests and challenges in small-scale fisheries governance, particularly those in Mexico, where I’m currently based. These interactions foster collaborations, which I am eager to explore in the future.

On a personal level, attending the Symposium highlighted the importance of cultural awareness and adaptability in international research. Engaging with participants from diverse backgrounds, who brought unique worldviews and problem-solving approaches, was a humbling reminder of the importance of listening and learning from the communities directly impacted by management decisions. Moreover, the Symposium reinforced my commitment to fostering more inclusive and equitable governance in small-scale fisheries. Hearing about successful initiatives led by women and Indigenous communities was an inspiration to continue seeking equity and social justice in my own work. It reminded me that the true path to sustainability lies in embracing diversity and ensuring that all voices are heard in decision-making processes.

Reflecting on my experience, I am returning to my research with a renewed sense of purpose and a broader toolkit for addressing sustainability challenges in octopus fisheries. The lessons learned at the SSF Regional Symposium will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of my project. I am excited to continue this journey, building on the relationships and knowledge gained, as I strive to contribute meaningfully to the sustainability of octopus fisheries and the broader small-scale fisheries sector.