Treasure Beach Forum: Fishermen Learning Exchanges for Conservation: An Examination of Lessons Learned

Fishermen Learning Exchanges for Conservation: An Examination of Lessons Learned

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Fishermen Learning Exchanges for Conservation: An Examination of Lessons Learned

By TBNet on Friday, May 31, 2013 - 01:27 pm: Edit Post

Fishermen Learning Exchanges for Conservation: An Examination of Lessons Learned (FLExCELL)
Phase I Workshop May 8--10, 2013
Workshop hosted and supported by
National Socio--Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) Annapolis, Maryland USA
Organized by
Kiki Jenkins and Hoyt Peckham (Participant list enclosed)
Workshop Summary and Outputs
View full PDF:

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SESYNC_FLEXCELL_Workshop Write Up copy.pdf (1246.3 k)

Fisher learning exchanges are used worldwide for improving fisheries management. Organized by fishermen, NGOs and governments to share fisheries challenges and solutions, they are widely considered to be highly effective. Despite this perception and considerable investment in producing fisher learning exchanges, to date their effectiveness has not been assessed. We organized the SESYNC workshop Fisher Learning Exchanges for Conservation: An Examination of Lessons Learned (FLExCELL) to bring together fishers, NGO practitioners, government managers, and academics in order to share their lessons learned for how to best produce fisher learning exchanges, focusing on what has worked best and what can be done to optimize future exchanges.
The 22 workshop participants gathered from Canada, USA, Mexico, Jamaica, Belize, Madagascar, Palau, Guam, Malaysia, Antigua and Barbuda with the following objectives:
• Establish a community of practice for fisher learning exchanges
• Gather reports and descriptions of prior exchanges
• Develop a shared understanding of what defines a fisher learning exchange
• Compile lessons learned for conducting fisher learning exchanges
• Design a research plan to test lessons learned
• Identify focus groups to involve
in future research
• Conduct participant interviews

During the FLExCELL workshop, there were large--group discussions, breakout sessions, and time set aside for participants to share their fisher learning exchange stories. Interviews were also conducted in order to begin documenting these stories and experiences. Through collaboration among participants, the workshop objectives were fulfilled. The outputs of the workshop include:
• Learning exchange network formed among participants that extends to all of their partners worldwide.
• Outline and production plan to publish a guidebook of lessons learned for fisher exchange organizers
• Templates developed for understanding exchanges
• Research plan designed for comparative study of lessons learned
• Focus groups identified to participate in future research

NEXT STEPS
The outputs of this Phase I workshop will be refined and reported in conference presentations and publications during 2013-14, including the publishing of both a practical guide for fisher exchange practitioners as well as academic publications which characterize and situate fisher learning exchanges in the scholarly literature. Staff at SESYNC are already publicizing the workshop with a blog post describing the FLExCELL workshop along with some photos at:
https://www.sesync.org/blog/fisher--learning--exchanges

Furthermore, the organizers are currently seeking funding to initiate Phase II in which the newly established Fisher Learning Exchange Network will test hypotheses about key attributes to develop design principles and best practices. In many ways, the FLExCELL workshop was similar to a fisher learning exchange in that it brought together people with a diversity of backgrounds in order to exchange knowledge and experiences. The community formed through this workshop now has a better idea of how fisher learning exchanges are being conducted around the world and what steps need to be taken in order to improve the effectiveness and increase the prevalence of exchanges. Some participants used the workshop to plan future exchanges between their home countries. Given these positive outcomes, we can see the success of this workshop and how it will contribute to improving fisher learner exchanges worldwide.

Acknowledgements: The workshop was co--organized by Kiki Jenkins and Hoyt Peckham with the administrative assistance of Katie Thompson and would not have been possible without support and funding from SESYNC. The success of the workshop is also due to the participants, who volunteered their expertise and knowledge, as well as their affiliate organizations that gifted the time of these individuals to attend the workshop.

By BREDS on Friday, May 31, 2013 - 06:14 pm: Edit Post

The following is a letter we received.

Dear Mr. Henzell,

I’m writing to share with you what an asset Dennis Abrahams was at the recent workshop, Fishermen Learning Exchanges for Conservation: An Examination of Lessons Learned (FLExCELL) May 8-10th.
The point of this workshop was to bring together people involved with fishermen learning exchanges in order to share their stories and discuss ways to make the exchanges better. He was one of 22 participants who came from around the world to attend.

Dennis’ input was especially valuable because he talked about the success of the 2008 Belize-Jamaica exchange he attended and what he learned during that exchange. The personal accounts Dennis shared with the group about his exchange experiences were both insightful and inspiring and made it clear to the group just how valuable fisher exchanges can be. Throughout the workshop, Dennis significantly contributed in the large group discussions and smaller breakout sessions by sharing his perspective as a fisher exchange participant and a lifetime fisherman. Dennis’ passion for his work and positive outlook on marine conservation in Jamaica were evident and the workshop would not have been the same without his contributions.

I have attached a summary of the workshop, in case you would like to learn more about it.

Sincerely,

Kiki Jenkins and Hoyt Peckham
Co-organizers FLExCELL

By Rebecca on Friday, May 31, 2013 - 06:19 pm: Edit Post

Well done Dennis. What a wonderful learning and sharing experience for all involved. I hope we get an opportunity to hear first hand all about what you learned.

Thanks Dennis for all the time and effort you put into our Treasure Beach community.

By Uncle Peter on Friday, June 07, 2013 - 04:34 pm: Edit Post

Well done Dennis. You certainly keep TB out in front. My problem is that I really don't understand what FLEXCELL is all about. I don't understand the jargon used in their text. It is certainly not simple English and I find it all quite baffling. Anyone care to elucidate or are you having the same problems as I am?

By Florian on Saturday, June 08, 2013 - 03:29 pm: Edit Post

Wendy / Well I live in Australia and I saw it on Foxtel (cable) for the first time a couple of weeks ago . to think I was only 16 dcnaing to the catchie number at disco's, when It came out in 86 . I have to wonder how Rob fisher died dose anyone know?

By Jeannie from BC, Canada on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 09:23 pm: Edit Post

Treasure Beach, you gotta know that it is so important that fisher folk are represented from Jamaica to the whole world. You have a knowledge that goes beyound university field & lab studies or policy makers advising goverments. Research boats on the Pedro Banks tell only a slice of marine life. Siginifigant yet another tall tale.
Fisher folk like Dennis Abrahams share an 'evidence based knowledge' of the present and past that benefits the future. You are our investment for 'best practices' in aquaculture of the seas & oceans. Smart conservation in fishing will only be attained by the fisher peoples. Voices that need to be heard & effective in thier day by day practices.
Good to know that TB have folk who step up & are heard!