IMA's Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in the Caribbean

EAFM planning in fisheries to address current challenges

Fisheries world wide face multiple challenges, including climate change, natural disasters, and habitat degradation, which threaten marine ecosystems. Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) has been seen to be a highly effective approach to address these issues.

IMA was delighted to be invited to deliver EAFM training for the nations of Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The project, coordinated as part of FAO’s programme of development and support for sustainable agriculture and fisheries in the Caribbean. The regional program has broader implications for the Caribbean region, as it seeks to enhance the capacity of fisheries management personnel across multiple nations.

IMA International’s involvement

IMA has delivered EAFM in several countries around the world. After a learning needs analysis to address the issues in Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, IMA International, developed and delivered a comprehensive face-to-face training and planning course. To further assist in this process, IMA International is providing online mentoring and conducting an in-country review of the EAFM plans. Additionally, a Training of Trainers (TOT) component was included in the project to ensure that there is a dedicated resource of trained personnel to support the continuation and expansion of EAFM efforts in the future. The training emphasized the integration of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) into fisheries management, tailored to the unique context of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Participants included government staff, representatives from academia, NGOs, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), private sector and other relevant stakeholders. These participants, particularly fisheries officers, work closely with local fishing communities and have a deep understanding of the economic and political challenges their communities face.

Methods and tools used to address the challenges

The overarching focus of the training is to manage fisheries holistically, prioritizing the maintenance of ecosystem functions and services while considering uncertainties and changes due to climate impacts.

By using our fundamental three values of Innovative, Inclusive and Inspiring Change IMA delivered an interactive and participatory training. We aimed to equip participants with the skills needed to conduct a multi-stakeholder analysis, develop strategic planning skills, consider their 'Circle of Influence' and review learning. Comprehensive course materials were developed and a training manual on the Essential Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM).

The course was designed to be highly interactive, combining ice breakers, group work learning, paired work, presentations, role play, reflections on learning journeys with field visits to reinforce the concepts discussed. Trainers with global experience in EAFM shared various examples and strategies that have been implemented in other countries, enriching the learning experience.

The training fostered strong peer relationships among participants, creating a support network that will be crucial as they move forward in developing and implementing EAFM plans. As part of the training workshop in Saint Vincent there was a fascinating video conference call connecting one of the participants, Andre Liverpool with a participant of our training in Sudan, El-Tahir. Please click here to view the video recording.

Conclusion and recommendations going forward

The training received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who praised the trainers for their open-mindedness, patience, and effective facilitation. The resources along with the interactive and solution-focused approach of the training was particularly appreciated, as it allowed participants to engage deeply with the material and consider how to apply it in their own contexts. Following the delivery a report including a training evaluation/review, work plan development and proposed training material development was submitted. As a result, the program has laid a strong foundation for developing a strategic road map of the next steps of an ongoing effort to manage Dominica and Saint Vincent’s fisheries sustainably, with a focus on resilience to climate change and disaster risks.

To read more on the EAFM process please visit this affiliated website.