Caribbean Green Economy Forum 28-29 March 2012

1. Creating sustainable livelihoods for fishers:The role of good governance, ecosystem protection and clean technologies Maria Pena, Katherine Blackman, Robin Mahon and Patrick McConney CERMES, UWI, Cave Hill Campus Caribbean Green Economy Forum • 28-29 March 2012

2. What is a green fisheries? The green fishery concept: • is embedded within sustainable development & sustainable fisheries • requires ecosystem-based management • enhances livelihoods and well-being • maintains social and cultural heritage of individuals and communities

3. Key criteria green fisheries = sustainable fisheries • Managed in a way that takes into consideration all coastal and marine resources in an ecosystem • fishing techniques • management approaches • Helps to protect sensitive marine species, essential and vulnerable habitats • Promotes rebuilding depleted marine resources to meet current and future food security needs • Conducted in energy efficient ways • Operates in socially and economically equitably and responsible manner

4. Global and regional fisheries outlook Global Caribbean Similar to global situation Coastal resources under stress: overexploitation ecosystem degradation limited/poor management climate change Exploitation status of fish stocks Likely similar to global fisheries Rebuilding overfished stocks critical • Global fisheries vulnerable • Impacted by: • overexploitation • habitat degradation • pollution • climate change • Exploitation status of fish stocks • 53% fully exploited • 28% overexploited • Rebuilding overfished and depleted stocks critical

5. Barbados fisheries: status • Some fisheries not yet assessed • status uncertain • Status varies for those for which information is available • overfished/overexploited(shallow-shelf, sea eggs, turtles) • fully exploited in some areas(deep slope & bank reef) • inter-annual variability(flyingfish) • Little on-going effort at assessing fishery resources for improving technical basis of management plans

6. Types of fisheries The fishing industry is dominated by: 9 different fisheries - categorised by species & gear Large pelagics Flyingfish

7. Points on the Barbados fishing industry • Important part of Barbadian commerce and culture • Fish resources in Barbados: • supply a range of goods and services (food, ecosystem services & recreation opportunities) • generate direct market benefits (jobs, income & other tax revenues) • generate foreign exchange savings(reduced food imports)

8. Benefits of the Barbados fishing industry • > 6,000 people engaged in the industry • fishermen and boat owners • vendors • processors • distributors • Additional livelihoods include: • cooks at fish frys and restaurants • boat building • boat maintenance • sale of engine, fishing & electronic equipment • other supporting services • Important input to tourism industry • Fish frys (e.g. Oistins and Half Moon Fort)

9. Towards a green fishing industry: Key issues • Implement an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach to Barbados’ coastal and marine systems • The resource base and its ecosystem MUST be properly managed & protected for economic impact • Fisheries stocks must be assessed to guide management and determine yield • Recognise that greening is a transboundary matter • The Caribbean region is complex: most exploited and non-exploited resources are shared across marine jurisdictions

10. Greening by EBM Moving from this… To THIS

11. Greening by getting a grip on fish stocks = good management & yield prediction Moving from this… To THIS

12. Greening by recognisingCaribbean complexity

13. Green visioning: Fisheries policy • Barbados is party to several international & regional conventions and MEAs • Provision for the sustainability of fisheries • Barbados therefore has obligations to implement measures for sustainable and efficient management of fisheries • National policies, legislation, plans and strategies are currently available to guide the transition of the fisheries industry to a sustainable and green one

14. Green visioning: Egs. of relevant policy for guiding ‘greening’ Acts and regulations Plans • Fisheries Management Plans • National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan • Physical Development Plan (Amended 2003) • Barbados Coastal Management Plan • National Strategic Plan of Barbados (2006-2025) • Medium-term Development Strategy of Barbados (2010-2014) • Barbados Fisheries Act (1993) • Fisheries (Management) Regulations (1998) • Markets and Slaughter-Houses Act (1958) • Marine Boundaries and Jurisdiction Act (1979) • Coastal Zone Management Act (1998) • Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act (1976) • Marine Pollution Control Act (1998) • Territorial Waters Act (1977)

15. Stocktaking of green economy initiatives in the fishing industry • Legislation and fisheries management plans make provision for “greener” fisheries, particularly when guided by the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. • However, more can be done by government and non-government fisheries stakeholders in Barbados to fully realise the potential.

16. Core areas for greening in the fishing industry: Energy • Use of photovoltaics • Installation of 11,100Wp solar panels at Skeete’s Bay to power an ice maker producing one tonne ice/day. • Attempts to use solar panels on Fisheries Division vessel; vessel no longer in use. • Photovoltaics not commonly used on fishing vessels. Used primarily for battery charging. • Plans to install solar panels at Conset Bay fish market. Fish harvesting operations are heavily dependent on fossil fuel.Fish processing consumes large quantities of energy. Very little success towards reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

17. Core areas of greening in the fishing industry: Water Water is used extensively in fish processing. • Water costs at the Bridgetown Public Market is approx. BDS$ 150,000/month • Water conservation measures are being implemented at fish markets • Directive from Cabinet to install infrared sensors at the Bridgetown Public Market processing bay • A water consumption audit of fish markets and processing facilities is necessary • determine consumption patterns • id means for consumption reduction and conservation

18. Core areas of greening in the fishing industry: Waste • 2-3 tonnes of fish offal produced at the Bridgetown Public Market daily • Past attempts to produce fish silage by a fish processor and some farmers • Central Livestock Station feeding trial • good growth rates of pigs with no tainting of meat • Funding, research and development required • further exploration of fish silage and meal production • use of dolphinfish and ocean triggerfish skin for leather production • Small-scale initiative to recycle engine oil and cooking oil • Engine oil stored and collected by Mount Gay Rum Distillery • Fish fry vendors had cooking oil collected by Future Centre Trust to make biodiesel

19. Challenges and priorities for greening the fishing industry: • Conservation of marine resources • fundamental to sustainable development and transition to a green sector • Capacity building • essential for greening fisheries development • Credit • major constraint to new investment in green technology • Communication and coordination • among economic sectors, part of the EAF • Collaboration • from local to international level; necessary for managing and developing transboundary marine resources

20. Achieving a green industry: some main issues • Global fisheries crisis is external driver towards greening the industry • Nearshore ecosystems must be rehabilitated for other economic sectors to receive social and economic benefits and ecosystem services • GoB policies and draft fisheries legislation can be tailored to support green economy initiatives • Onshore infrastructure upgrading to meet food safety/quality standards • Taxation, incentives and fiscal reform need practical and technical guidance to support greening projects • Retrofitting costs (boats and shore-based infrastructure) to accommodate green technology may be prohibitive unless credit is available • Governance is now more participatory (through FAC) but lack of organisation in the fishing industry affects communication with the industry and hinders participatory governance processes • Trade tariffs currently favour value-added, locally manufactured seafood products, and their production can be strengthened • Heavy reliance on fossil fuels likely to remain in the short to medium term

21. Potential for environmental improvement:some main issues • International standards promote sustainable management and livelihoods but current fisheries legislation is inadequate for the proper management of the fishing industry • Control of entry into fisheries to achieve sustainable levels of harvest is needed – it is possible under legislation in draft and through fisheries management plans • New attitudes towards environmental practices needed; incentives will need to be re-designed and monitored to support desired changes • Barbados is moving too slowly towards EAF and related approaches • Engagement in transboundary resource management increases available options

22. Potential for green jobs & transmigration:some main issues • Young people may be more willing to enter the fishing industry seeking the planned professional certification of green fishing occupations • Techniques for fish silage and fish leather are available - consistent with small business and green job promotion to facilitate such entrepreneurship • Public demand (including from tourism) for higher standards of postharvest, marketing and distribution will accelerate the demand for green job creation • Higher food standards may provide assurance for tourism industry to strengthen ties with the local seafood industry and reduce importation • Opportunities exist to diversify fisheries once funds and technical support are available to facilitate research and development • Policies are needed to promote sustainable use of water; development of national water policy • Niche markets for fishery product export are believed to exist

23. Key messages • Barbados’ fisheries are an important part of the national economy and culture but are currently underperforming economically and socially. • The sustainability of Barbados’ fishing industry is tied to that of the Wider Caribbean - the Caribbean Sea is essentially a common resource. • Legislation, policies and plans relevant to Barbados fisheries are numerous and could guide the process towards a green re-structuring of the fishing industry.

24. Key messages • Several innovative management and governance approaches are available to make Barbados’ fishing industry a green sector that delivers highest economic and social benefits. • Action to allow fisheries to contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction in Barbados: • Conservation of marine resources, • Capacity building, • Credit, • Communication and coordination among economic sectors • Collaboration for transboundary marine resources.