Abstract

The Central Fish Processors Association (CFPA) was established in 2005 out of a need to address challenges microenterprise fish processors (fish vendors) were experiencing with their work area at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex in Barbados. Issues concerned refrigeration facilities, sanitation procedures, working hours, and management communication. Unable to voice their concerns, this group comprising women entrepreneurs worked together to form the only fisheries postharvest association still in existence in Barbados. The CFPA began with approximately 20 members and was predominantly a woman-led group of women from its inception. Today, the association is an all-female organization with 29 members. Despite not being a legally formal organization, participation in the CFPA and its activities is high, especially in times of crisis. Both institutionalized regular meetings and ad hoc meetings have proven partially successful at tackling problems and developing the CFPA, but more needs to be done. Persistent wicked problems prompted the president of the CFPA to seek partnership with the Gender in Fisheries Team (GIFT). Issues were identified from CFPA meeting minutes, other documents and discussions with the membership. GIFT is conducting action research to obtain a good understanding of CFPA problems and concerns, and determine what the female members envision as possible practical solutions to enhance their fisheries occupation and domestic life. This paper reports on preliminary small group meetings held with 12 members of the CFPA. This research is framed conceptually in terms of livelihood and institutional analyses and adaptive capacity – the three linked research frameworks of GIFT.

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