www.medasset.org/portfolio-item/medbycatch-project/
EXPERIENCES & KNOWLEDGE SHARING FOR BUILDING STRONG AND MAINTAINING COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN FISHERY OBSERVERS AND THE FISHING COMMUNITY
www.togetherforthemed.org
solution
Working together to reduce bycatch in the Mediterranean!
The project
‘Experiences and Knowledge Sharing for Building Strong and Maintaining Collaborations Between Fishery Observers and the Fishing Community’ creates opportunities so that experiences gained from the observer programmes can be shared nationally and internationally.
PROBLEM
Bycatch – The incidental capture of vulnerable species in fishing gear is a key conservation issue in the Mediterranean.
Total number of On-Board Observations
3.638
completed in 5 countries from 2019 – 2022
37,230 Sharks and rays
463,469 Sea Turtles
Total number of Port-Based Questionnaires
12.100
6,751 SeaBirds
completed in 5 countries from 2019 – 2022
143* Marine Mammals *This number has declined significantly since the ban of drift nets (2005). Research has increased for this taxon on direct interactions with fisheries, which also includes assessing the economic damage inflicted on fishers. 'FAO. 2020. The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2020. General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. Rome.'
it’s a
of
IDENTIFICATION
GUIDE
OPEN
OF VULNERABLE SPECIES INCIDENTALLY CAUGHT IN MEDITERRANEAN FISHERIES
2.
MED
ITER
RAN
EAN
FISH
ER
CTIC GUI E DE FOR
PRA
GOO D
T R 1. UST
RELATIONSHIP Connect on a personal level Be open and honest
Turkish Fisher: “Observers should work not only because
Listen attentively, with empathy
of the [survey] but also for loving it and wanting to be in contact [with fishers]”
Avoid jargon
Moroccan Observer: “Don’t just be an observer,
Keep a secret? (sensitive information)
be a friend”
Show appreciation
Tunisian Fisher: “Provide mutual trust, frankness [and] respect for the fishers”
3. TOGETHER @ THE
ON
DOCK
“Oh Captain, my Captain”
(respect the dynamics on the vessel)
Reach Out:
Come prepared
(questionnaires, FAQs)
fishers when they have time
1.
3.
Be one
introduce yourself & the project
Approach
2.
BOARD
Invest time
& show genuine interest
Avoid
presenting yourself too officially
Explain
the project’s purpose & why it benefits fishers & marine life
with the team, offer help if needed
Stay organised
Offer
a helping hand
Explain
the data collection process (what, how, why)
Establish
healthy boundaries
& efficient in data collection
(AND PERHAPS A DRINK AFTERWARDS)
Visit often
and invest in nurturing relationships
Share project information
celebrate achievements and results
Share contact details
& keep in touch - even after the survey has ended.
4. ACTION
DOWNLOAD THE MEDBYCATCH LEARNING & SHARING PACKAGE
FOLLOW #MedBycatch
This guide was created through a participatory process with information gathered from 77 questionnaires and three workshops from 60 fishers and 45 observers across three countries. MEDASSET / Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles / 2022