Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Baja fishery to gain new information that they can apply at home and to discuss the
issues of certification. The exchanges also have made this fishery a regional hub for
additional successes with fisheries throughout Central and South America. The CFP
is in the process of beginning a new project with another Mexican lobster fishery
that participated in one of the fisher exchanges. The Baja fishery provides a global
role model for how MSC certification can be successful in a community fishery,
given the right set of tools and their sensitive application within the small-scale
fishery context.
15.4
Conclusions
While it is clear that a lot of progress has been made with MSC certification in
small-scale fisheries there is still a lot to do. The data and management dilemmas
remain major impediments for small-scale fisheries entering MSC certification.
In addition, the cost of certification and the length of time it takes to become
certified are major disincentives. The MSC is considering ways to address the data
and management dilemmas of small-scale fisheries and are trying to see if the
process of full assessment could be completed in no more than a year, but the
cost of certification remains a major concern for those of us working with small-
scale fisheries and developing nations. There are a few foundations interested in
funding this type of work but relying on foundation funds is not a mechanism for
underpinning fishery sustainability because it tends to create a further dependence
on external support and interventions. For the MSC to be ultimately successful
and for small-scale fisheries to truly have equal access to the MSC programme,
long-term funding mechanisms that small-scale fisheries can access are needed. In
addition, significant emphasis needs to be placed on the development of structural
organisation in small-scale fishery communities, so that they will have the means
to deal with the ongoing requirements of the MSC programme without the constant
help of NGOs or other partners.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of the MSC certification process are clear.
By comparing the MSC expectations and standard to the current state of their
fishery the communities can develop a road map for the future. They can use this
as a driver to gain a better understanding of their fished resource, and ultimately
improve the environmental sustainability. They can use the MSC assessment process
and certification to lobby for change or to create insurance for the future. The
process can help organise and empower communities in a positive manner and give
them hope that challenges and obstacles can be overcome. And finally, for those
fisheries that can secure certification, there is the potential for niche marketing and
the associated social and political benefits that can contribute to the well-being of
their communities and the generations to come. In small-scale fisheries, the MSC
programme is as much about socio-economic outcomes for communities as it is
about fisheries sustainability, and this is a key path for the MSC programme in
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