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TBTI - Working Group 4

Enhancing the stewardship

Too Big to Ignore
Concerns about the oceans, and especially fisheries, have motivated people to work together in order to address the global “fisheries crisis.” Small-scale fisheries (SSF), and the uncertainties about how they affect or are affected by changes in ecological and social system dynamics, are among the key issues that require immediate attention.

Too Big to Ignore (TBTI) is a global research network and knowledge mobilization partnership on SSF. The main goal of TBTI is to enhance the understanding of the real contribution of small-scale fisheries to food security, nutrition, sustaining livelihoods, poverty alleviation, wealth generation and trade, as well as the impacts and implications of global change processes such as urbanization, globalization, migration, climate change, aquaculture, and communication technology on small-scale fisheries. TBTI is also concerned with the lack of understanding about both the impacts of SSF on ecosystems and the contribution of SSF to stewardship and conservation.

Enhancing the stewardship
TBTI is organized around regions and thematic research conducted by working groups (WG). One of the key themes that TBTI aims to address is “Enhancing the stewardship”. This is the focus of WG4 that is led by CERMES (patrick.mcconney@gmail.com).

WG4 has three main components, each associated with a guiding question:

Who is involved
TBTI has globally engaged numerous individuals and organisations with an interest in SSF. The web site (http://toobigtoignore.net/) explains the structure, their roles and how interested parties can keep in touch with TBTI through social media and other means. Check it out!

WG4 activities and events are likewise engaging a broad cross-section of SSF stakeholders. These are involved either as individuals or through affiliations with several private sector, non-governmental, governmental and inter-governmental organisations including:

The University of the West Indies
Asociación Red Costarricense para el Ambiente y la Educación
Carleton University
NOAA – National Marine Fisheries Service
University of Aberdeen
Universiti Utara Malaysia
CBNRM Learning Institute
Federal University of Paraná

Comunidad y Biodiversidad
Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations
Masifundise Development Trust
The Nature Conservancy
Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism
Caribbean Natural Resources Institute

Getting involved in TBTI WG4 is easy! Just email patrick.mcconney@gmail.com to share your question, interest or suggestion. You can become part of the TBTI and WG4 network.

What is going on

WG4 has a dynamic work plan that is always evolving and adapting to address its three core components. WG4 activities and events are mainly implemented through collaboration. The scope of WG4 is global, but the initial focus is mainly on Latin America and the Caribbean.