As a global network for transdisciplinary and capacity building in research and governance on small-scale fisheries, TBTI is gaining traction for the work that the network and its members are doing. What is less known, except to those who were there since the beginning, is about how TBTI came to be. But even among the ‘co-founders’, the making of TBTI could be differently told, and what TBTI is today is not necessarily what it intended to do at the start. This is perhaps what it means to be part of an evolution, and also a revolution!
Writing about TBTI might not be very exciting but talking about TBTI can be quite fun. But we didn’t know that as we sat down nervously on the ‘guest chair’ with the podcast producer, Michael Bartz, of ‘In Over My Head’. The only comfort was that Michael has such a calming manner and a soothing voice. He started by introducing himself and invited us to talk about who we were, and then he just let the conversation flow, asking a few questions now and then. Before we knew it, more than an hour went by, and many of us came out with a big smile, puzzled by how time flew by.
This is the second collaboration we’re having with Michael, and it seems that he became used to the ‘play-as-you-go’ way we do things. And again, without much direction from us, he produced a very interesting podcast series about TBTI, which even those who are familiar with the network would find intriguing.
Enjoy the first episode to find out about how we began, and follow us next year to listen and learn more about TBTI, also from the perspective of the newcomers! If you like what you hear, and would like to take part in the network, drop us a line ([email protected]). There is plenty to do in and for small-scale fisheries for everyone.
Oh…we also hope you like the ‘TBTI tune’, which was produced exclusively for us by a musician friend of Michael. When we receive a lot of ‘likes’, we will post the tune on the website for free download!
Series trailer
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Episode 1: Where it all began
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In this episode, you’ll learn about the origins of TBTI and the importance of social sciences in small-scale fisheries research.
Ratana Chuenpagdee, TBTI Global Foundation, Thailand
Svein Jentoft, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
Jose Pascual-Fernández, University of La Laguna (Tenerife), Spain
Katia Frangoudes, University of Brest, France
Episode 2: More than Management
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Episode 2 trailer
The second episode features the work that some TBTI members are doing to help move the conversation from management to governance.
Ratana Chuenpagdee, TBTI Global Foundation, Thailand
Suvaluck Satumanatpan, Mahidol University, Thailand
Eva Coronado, NES, Unidad Merida, UNAM, Mexico
As challenges in fisheries management become increasingly visible and recognized, a shift to governance seems inevitable. But how and where to begin, and do they always imply policy reform and transformative governance, as have often been called for?
The common saying that fisheries management is not about managing the fish but about managing the people is a step in the right direction. But that is not governance. From the governance perspective, fisheries management is about managing the fish (and fisheries resources) ‘with’ the people. In many jurisdictions, provisions have been made to enable fishers to participate in fisheries management. This collaborative and participatory form of management is often referred to as ‘co-management,’ although there can be more to the term.
‘Co-governance’, for instance, would involve, not only sharing of the management responsibility but also sharing of power to make decision about fisheries, including in designing policies and regulations. Under this mode, local, traditional and Indigenous knowledge can play a key role, along with other scientific evidences, in fisheries management. In line with the SSF Guidelines, these are the small steps from management to governance that can help support and promote small-scale fisheries sustainability. Policy and legal reform may be needed eventually but it is not a precondition. There are also lessons that we can learn from along the way, as shared by Suvaluck Sathumanatpan about Thailand and Eva Coronado about Mexico.
Episode 3: Women and gender equality through the entire fish value chain
Episode 3 trailer
The third episode highlights the work of TBTI members who are looking at the important role that women play in fisheries throughout the value chain.
Ratana Chuenpagdee, TBTI Global Foundation, Thailand
Katia Frangoudes, University of Brest, France
Anas Shoebullah Khan, The University of Winnipeg, Dried Fish Matters project, Canada
Nova Montilla Almine, Memorial University / TBTI Global, Canada
March 8th is International Women’s Day, and for the month of March, or perhaps the whole year, or even better – everyday, we could reflect on the important role that women play in fisheries throughout the value chain, recognizing that more needs to be done to address gender equality.
As called for in the SSF Guidelines, concerted efforts are required to address gender equality.
“All parties should recognize that achieving gender equality requires concerted efforts by all and that gender mainstreaming should be an integral part of all small-scale fisheries development strategies” (SSF Guidelines , FAO 2015).
This is what TBTI has been trying to do with the work of Prof. Katia Frangoudes University of Brest, who leads the research cluster on ‘Women and Gender.’ With Prof. Siri Gerrard, and several other colleagues, she has put together two publication volumes focusing on women in fisheries, arguing for gender equality in access to quota, decision-making, and in health and safety workplace.
While some women participate in fishing and shellfish gathering, the majority of women involving in fisheries are in post-harvest sector. They take part in fish processing, marketing and trade of the fish. They are, in effect, the most important contributors to the dried fish economy. We are learning more about this through the work of the Dried Fish Matters project, which has been instrumental in making visible the role of women in the processing sector, highlighting the need to do better at protecting the rights of women (and children) involved in dried fish, through legal and policy framework and improvement of post-harvest and market infrastructure. We are learning about this with the work of early career researchers, Anas Shoebullah Khan, University of Winnipeg, in India, and Nova Almine, Memorial University, in Thailand.
Like the work of women in fisheries that does not end, the number of researchers and practitioners interested in women and gender issues in fisheries keep growing. Here’s an upcoming opportunity to learn more about this and contribute to the discussion about gender equality and justice: https://gafconference.org/. The conference will be held in Thailand in October this year.
Episode 4: A close look at small-scale fisheries value chain
The fourth episode highlights the work of TBTI members who are looking at the small-scale fisheries value chain.
José J. Pascual-Fernández, University of La Laguna, Spain
Md Ruyel Miah, University of Waterloo, Canada
Research about post-harvest activities has not received a lot of attention, especially when compared to pre-harvest and harvest. This has recently changed, however, with the increased volume in fish trade and the enhanced value chain. From the small-scale fisheries perspective, the Voluntary Guidelines on Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (FAO 2015) have a section about value chain and trade, emphasizing the need to recognize the role of post-harvest actors in small-scale fisheries, women in particular. Countries are urged to enable participation of value chain actors in decision-making process, and to invest in appropriate infrastructure and capacity development to support the production of high-quality fish and fishery products. Further, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, Target 14b, efforts should be made to help secure access to resources and markets for small-scale fisheries. This is especially pertinent for products from small-scale fisheries, which are already part of, or may become new entries in, regional and international markets. A close look at small-scale fisheries value chain is imperative given the current discussion about the guidance on social responsibility in the fisheries and aquaculture value chains, which the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is working on, as part of the COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade.
In this episode, we will hear about a neat initiative led by Jose Pascual, University of La Laguna, Spain, one of TBTI founding members, in enhancing small-scale fisheries value chain. He introduced locally caught tuna from Canary Islands into a school lunch program, creating thus alternative demands and markets for small-scale fisheries. The program also helps kids learn more about and fisheries and strengthen their connection to the coastal communities.
School cafeterias in the Canary Islands use mainly seafood that is imported from far-away industrial fishing operations, even though there are several nearby fishing fleets. The nearby fleets fish for tuna the traditional way, catching them one by one off of mostly small-scale fishing boats, with the hook and line technique. These boats are eco-friendly, but they tend to export their tuna—several thousand tons each year—to mainland Spain or other countries. So, in 2018, a project was started a project to supply local tuna and other fish steaks to about a dozen Canary Islands school cafeterias, in an attempt to reduce fish exports and imports. The hope is that this work will not only help school kids to eat healthier, but also improve the eating habits and health of the entire local population.
Ruyel Miah, who has recently graduated with a PhD from University of Waterloo, Canada, adds a layer of complexity, pointing out through his research the risk and vulnerability of small-scale fisheries, especially women, in disaster prone areas. His work in Bangladesh and India reveals how vulnerable small-scale fisheries along the value chain are when faced with cyclone and other threats. In these instances, habitats and fish may be protected – but the real question is what kind of protection do small-scale fisheries get.
The photo shows the convergence of five rivers at the border of Bangladesh and India in the Sundarbans mangrove forest, 2024 © Ruyel Miah
Small-scale fisherwoman fishing at the edge of the Indian Sundarbans, 2024 © R. Miah