Originally published on SPC's website.
A new platform to support community-based fisheries management practitioners in the Pacific Islands has been launched (https://cbfm.spc.int/). It aims to enhance the resilience of coastal fisheries by creating a space for effective knowledge sharing and trusted sources of information. Pacific Island communities are central to coastal fisheries management because they depend on marine resources for their livelihoods, cultural heritage and wellbeing. The people in these communities are also a rich source of traditional knowledge, which is essential for site-specific management, and this platform is built upon their experiences and stories.
What is community-based fisheries management?
Community-based fisheries management (CBFM) refers to management approaches that are driven by communities. By enabling communities to take the lead in managing their coastal fisheries resources, this style of management encompasses an ecosystem approach that will sustain livelihoods and ensure resilient island communities. Recognising that coastal resources are under increasing threat of overfishing, now exacerbated by climate change, Pacific Island countries and territories have agreed through regional and subregional policies to scale-up coastal fisheries management incorporating CBFM approaches.
Why an online portal on CBFM?
While the different CBFM approaches and activities applied by Pacific Island countries and territories are documented, information and tools are often scattered and not easily accessible. An online portal, Echoes of Oceania supports the implementation of the Pacific Framework for Action on Scaling up CBFM: 2021–2025 by serving as a regional e-platform for CBFM in the Pacific. Echoes of Oceania aims to assist governments, communities and other CBFM practitioners to easily access and share CBFM information and knowledge to enable them to make informed decisions about the management of coastal resources. It also raises the profile and understanding of CBFM in the Pacific region, and enhances capacity and knowledge on establishing and sustaining CBFM.
What does Echoes of Oceania stand for?
The peoples of Oceania echo a deep voice that carries all traditional knowledge and wisdom. The name “Echoes of Oceania” is also meant to evoke the idea of passing down knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next. Just as, for example, a father teaches his daughter how to fish and care for the marine resources as a way of showing his deep love for his family.
Echoes of Oceania serves as a platform for sharing and preserving the knowledge and practices of CBFM in the Pacific region so that it may be passed on to future generations – the Pacific Way of managing coastal fisheries. The name represents the continuity and preservation of knowledge, culture and tradition in Pacific communities.
Who is it for?
It’s for anyone involved in CBFM! Echoes of Oceania is designed to serve multiple audiences, including CBFM practitioners such as government agencies, fisheries officers, non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations, academic institutions, regional organisations, media, donors and students.
What does it contain?
Starting kit
This section details the main steps for starting a CBFM programme and practical solutions for managing your marine resources, such as the recommended fish smart rules for different species.
Inspiring stories
Here you can find many inspirational stories and video testimonies, of people like Malia from Tonga who is part of the special management area committee. She explains what she does to support her community and preserve their fishing grounds.
Map the region
You can map the region by country or by project. The country profiles contain an overview of CBFM, including key indicators of the status of CBFM for each country, such as the number of communities already implementing CBFM. You can also find practical information for each Pacific Island country or territory, including:
the legal framework for CBFM,
supporting policies,
main contacts,
useful links to related content
associated websites where available.
Find resources
CBFM specific resources
Our resource database, which is a curated collection from existing SPC databases, already has more than 500 documents relevant to CBFM and is now open to external contributions. You can use the search tool to find documents relevant to the implementation of CBFM, including:
technical reports,
articles,
guides and manuals,
awareness tools and toolkits,
management plans.
Structured for easy searching: The information is also structured to make it easier for you to find topic-centred resources. For example, if you are searching for species and habitat-related awareness tools, you will find nine awareness toolkits.
Accessibility: You can also filter by country and language – there are already search filters for 15 local languages used in the Pacific region in addition to English and French.
Find contacts
Figuring out who is working on what CBFM-related project in the region is made easier with this useful search tool.
How can you contribute?
The success of the platform very much depends on the participation of the people it serves. You can contribute by sharing relevant resources and information on CBFM in your country (current projects, testimonies, contacts, etc.). Please get in touch and send them to the SPC CBFM team at: cbfm@spc.int.
The platform already has a lot of well-curated resources which are easy to find. It is organised into the following sections, here illustrated with screenshots from the portal:
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