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3 Comments
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October 17, 2012
Thanks for writing this Matt! The language about our relationship with Panda Mountain (PM) can get a bit convoluted sometimes, so I’d like to take a moment to simplify it. Panda Mountain is a fantastic non-profit focused entirely on conservation, education, integrative planning, sustainable development, and humanitarian aide as it relates to supporting the Wolong Panda Reserve in China (http://www.uscef.org/ecotourism.html). PM was gracious enough to serve as our temporary fiscal sponsor until we are officially a federally recognized 501(c)3, except unlike most fiscal sponsors, they are not charging us a fee for doing so. This is why PayPal SEASMART donations on IndieGoGo are sent first to PM, and then given directly to us. I hope that helps!
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October 22, 2012
Of course the Industry is always looking for ways to improve and realize the goals are far from accomplished. Recently, the local fisheries department there funded a new training program to train 1000 divers! This is great news and should have another big impact on how fish are collected in that region. “Seasmart” is another group trying to find it’s way into the market and further train divers, but hopefully will not conflict and confuse what the local fisheries there are already doing. Let’s not forget what previous training efforts have been done, and how far we have already come over the past 10 years or more. Too often I hear all the negatives about the fisheries there, with few mentions about all the positives that have taken place over the years. The proof of course is in the radical change in quality that we have seen over the last 10-15 years….for the better:)
I definitely welcome new people wanting to help to further train divers in the Philippines…..and wish them all the best of luck. For those interested in learning more about the efforts being put forth at the grass-roots level, please contact barnett.rvsfishworld@aol.com for more information on the progress and efforts being made.
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October 23, 2012
We agree with Eric that the trade should get behind and support projects like “net training 1000 fishers.” This effort will help to advance the rebuilding of a better trade in the Philippines. We hope to work with many of the fishers they train. This is good for everyone. We don’t think confusion between the two efforts will be a problem. Much work has been done over the years improve the trade in the Philippines and elsewhere including many net training programs. Advances have been made but has true change set in? Has the actual use of cyanide lessened? Are fishers being paid more? Is there more fish around to collect? Are most, a few, any of the resource areas the trade uses under sustainable management? We don’t think we can honestly say yes to any of these things. Until we can, all honest efforts to bring about needed change should be welcomed.
Other industry efforts to improve this trade and protect and restore coral reefs worldwide should also be supported. Efforts like the Coral Restoration Foundation, Bangaii Cardinal Rescue, Marine Breeders Initiative (MBI), and SEASMART. SDC’s own sustained efforts with their SMART program should be supported. These are honest efforts to improve the trade and the world’s coral reefs.
We also know that net training is not enough to bring about long lasting and widespread change. We feel that all of the following needs to happen if change is to be deep enough to become permanent. Full resource assessments carried out; per species total allowable catch (tac) limits set; fishers trained in not only proper use of nets but in post harvest handling, screening, husbandry, small business and financial management, fisher association building, and so on; work with communities and local Gov’t to create a management plan for each fishery management area surveyed; incorporate and pay women and families for reef restoration and coral farming efforts; improve export facility post harvest handling husbandry and shipping systems and best practices; pay higher prices for fish from fishers; provide organism traceability from fma through to import; provide product support through focused branding and marketing effort in buyer countries; be able to prove claims of sustainability, equitability, net-caught, etc., through transparent and interactive data management, presentation, and reporting systems; utilize best practice training programs and manuals and materials; have the people that know how to use them as your trainers; are just the baseline requirements for bringing about real and lasting improvements in this trade. The SEASMART team has the tools, the experience and the ability to do all of the above. We are unique in our ability and commitment to bring about this kind of comprehensive change to a community and a country.
The Philippines is a large country with many areas in need of assistance. There is enough room for more than one effort there. We look forward to working closely with the net training effort. The net training team leadership has been in contact with some of our team members about assisting them. We look forward to doing so as a team. We have developed a very good starting working relationship with the local communities, fishers, and Government in our focus work area. We are all excited about what we, as partners, can do there. The local community is excited about the new employment opportunities, the local Government about improved development and resource management, and the educational institutions about research and training opportunities, and so on. Sustained change also needs the full set of proactive supporting local partners to happen. This can’t be shortcut.
We look forward to working with any group that is working towards the betterment of the trade and coral reefs worldwide. Together we are stronger.