Abstract

This paper discusses the case for the promotion of the co-management model of fisheries management in six (6) OECS member countries, through the transfer of the Okinawa practices in fisheries management. To increase sustainability and profitability of Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) fisheries in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are implementing pilot activities intended to introduce and develop co-management in six (6) of its sub-regional member countries. Co-management is considered an effective way of fisheries management with social cohesion among fishers, being the impetus to its success; especially through fisheries cooperatives. The approach to foster social cohesion is the business of the main fisher organizations – fisheries cooperatives, in Okinawa, Japan, where they engage in shared economic activities such as marketing, fuel and fishing gear supply, financial services, management of fisheries centers which provide landing and marketing facilities, fisherman’s locker and workshop. To verify this approach, the fisher cooperatives are studies through the implementation of questionnaire surveys. It is envisioned that the CARIFICO project will adapt applicable co-management practices from Okinawa, Japan to the collaborating CFRM Member States. Further, the results of these activities are measured and verified through the implementation of survey programs, directly targeting fishers. As a beneficiary of the CARIFICO project, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Fisheries Division earmarked its fishing community of Barrouallie as the pilot for the introduction of fisheries co-management. However, the question is, how is social cohesion strengthened. The applicability for the co-management approach is examined and verified through a series of questionnaire surveys. Monitoring indicators are suggested, which will apply this approach and continue for five years.

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