Systematic data on various aspects of fisheries is vital for their sustainable management. Pole and line tuna fishing, a highly sustainable fishing method, is the main fishery of Lakshadweep. Our CBFM programme tries to address existing data gaps by collecting information on key fishery variables from Lakshadweep’s pole and line fishers. This approach is participatory and voluntary, using co-created monitoring logbooks and helps overcome the logistical constraints in conventional monitoring.
Image credits:
Mahima Jaini
Tracking long-term trends in pole and line tuna fisheries of the Lakshadweep through co-created models.
Year of Initiation:
2014
Project Coordinator:
Ishaan Khot
E-mail Address:
Role in the project:
Programme Officer
Institutional Affiliation:
Dakshin Foundation
Taxa:
Fish
Status:
Periodically active
No. of participants:
0 - 100
Geographical spread of project:
Lakshadweep
Purpose of the project:
The CBFM approach collects data at larger spatio-temporal scales than researcher-led monitoring, producing results that can feed into fisheries management plans. The democratic process of sharing knowledge inculcates ownership of data among fishers. Our experience with CBFM shows that translating the data into usable information helps fishers plan their fishing operations better. CBFM enables fishers to see trends in fishery resources over time and empowers them for local-level decision-making.
Coordinating institution/organisation:
Dakshin Foundation
Location of the coordinating institution/organisation(s):
Bengaluru
Data availability:
Not generally available to others
Participation in language other than English:
Yes
Other languages allowed for participation:
Malayalam and Mahl
Appropriate age groups of participants:
Adults (21 yrs and above)
Citizen participation through:
Paper participation
Why should people participate:
CBFM provides fishers of Lakshadweep a unique opportunity to engage in a two-way sharing of information with researchers on crucial aspects of the fishery. Our experience with the CBFM programme shows that keeping detailed records of day-to-day fishery dynamics helps fishers plan their fishing operations better. In the long term, this approach seeks to reduce fishers’ reliance on external agencies and provide the foundation for local-level, knowledge-based decision-making on fishery issues.
Prior knowledge or expertise required:
The participants are pole and line tuna fishers of the Lakshadweep, having experiential knowledge on various aspects of the fishery and enumeration skills for recording catch estimates.