The recent co-management workshop held on February 28th and 29th, 2024, fostered collaboration among stakeholders in fisheries management, addressing challenges and promoting sustainability.

Workshop Overview

The recent co-management workshop marked a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable fisheries management in the Eastern Cape. Hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) in collaboration with partners including WWF, ABALOBI, and various fisher cooperatives, the workshop united key stakeholders with a common goal: to enhance support and progress for the livelihoods of fisher cooperatives and individual fishers.

Co-Management Concept

At the heart of the workshop was the concept of co-management, a collaborative approach to resource management where stakeholders jointly make decisions about the use and conservation of natural resources. The primary objectives included information sharing, knowledge transfer, ecosystem conservation, and fostering the independence of cooperatives.

Proposed Co-Management Structure

A key outcome of the workshop was the proposed co-management structure, designed to mirror the existing structure of fisher cooperatives. This framework would facilitate regular quarterly meetings to discuss key topics and provide feedback to the cooperatives for informed decision-making. The Terms of Reference (TORs) for this co-management structure were thoroughly discussed on the first day of the workshop, where stakeholders were given the opportunity to review and provide input on the TORs.

On the second day of the workshop, the TORs were signed, albeit with a 30-day cooling-off period for stakeholders to provide additional comments and for fishers to review. This period of reflection and feedback underscores the commitment to transparency and inclusivity in the co-management process.

Stakeholder Concerns

During the discussions, stakeholders raised several concerns:

• Continuity of Co-Management: One cooperative expressed apprehensions about the continuity of co-management, particularly in light of certain contractual agreements. This concern highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and support within the DFFE to address such issues effectively.
• Active Engagement: Another participant emphasized the importance of active engagement from all stakeholders, including municipalities, to ensure comprehensive and inclusive decision-making processes. Similarly, another stakeholder highlighted the need for consistent and clear communication about workshops and other initiatives to foster greater participation and collaboration.
• Consistent Attendance: Another representative emphasized the importance of consistent attendance, suggesting a 90% attendance rate for successful meetings. Recognizing the challenges of physical attendance, arrangements were made for online participation in these quarterly meetings to ensure inclusivity.

Conclusions

The challenges identified by fishers, including issues with buyers, marketing, and storage facilities, underscore the multifaceted nature of fisheries management. Although much of this conversation was conducted in isiXhosa, efforts were made to ensure that insights and concerns were captured and shared across the broader stakeholder community.