PRINCIPLES FOR THE NEW NORMAL IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES MONTHLY REPORT | DECEMBER 7 th 2020 Principles for the New Normal in small-scale fisheries Photography: R. Pérez R. Photography: MONTHLY REPORT | DECEMBER 2020 Introduction What was done? The pandemic has revealed a world eager to stay connected. Global uncertainty is such that From 28th October to 9th November 2020, 166 decisions to accomplish systemic changes are interviews were conducted7 (33 women y 133 yet to be made, despite the persistence of the men) in order to document the principles for pandemic. Digital transformation and adoption fisheries reactivation in the new normal. Topics have accelerated1,2, and travel has been limited, related to the changes fishers have observed affecting not only people but also goods and in their lives and in their communities as a products3. Therefore, both the local and national result of the pandemic, lessons learned, and scales have become important opportunities in how to safely return fishing, were addressed. the face of globalization to adapt to this new Thanks to the network of fishers consolidated context. during the seven previous reports, this report integrates 52 fishing communities located in 13 states8 of Mexico and 71 fishing organizations The fishing sector in Mexico reveals a lack of (52 cooperatives) that work with 21 fisheries9. attention from government agencies, especially The average age of the interviewees was 44 regarding the safe reactivation of activities. years old, ranging from 20 to 71 (for women the In countries, such as Peru, specific initiatives average was 40, men, 45). Ninety-eight percent to establish effective protocols for fishery of interviewees work in small-scale fisheries, reactivation have already been developed4. These while 2% work in aquaculture. From the total protocols standardize and ensure the operation interviewees, 72% participate in extraction, 17% of key fishery processes, especially those in administration, and 11% in other stages of the relating to the supply chain, where everyone supply chain (cleaning, processing, distribution, participates, including actors that are generally sales, technicians). under-represented in fisheries statistics, such as women and the next generation of fishers. In addition, 75 social media profiles were moni- tored (51 on Facebook and 24 on Twitter). Of the Facebook profiles, 10 corresponded to fisherwo- In this eighth and last report, Comunidad 5 men, 16 to fishermen, six to official fan pages y Biodiversidad, A.C. (COBI) focused on of fishing cooperatives, 39 to groups related to understanding what has changed in the lives of fishing (e.g. confederations, suppliers, non-go- fishers6 as a result of the pandemic, what has vernment organizations, international organiza- been learned during the past months, and how tions) from which 12 were closely linked to gen- to safely is the return to fishing activities in the der issues; and finally, six profiles of government 10 context of the new normal. agencies related to the fishing sector. A total of 1,067 messages were analyzed. 2 MONTHLY REPORT | DECEMBER 2020 PRINCIPLES FOR THE NEW NORMAL IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES Changes in the lives of fishers due to the pandemic When the lockdown was declared in Mexico 11 what surrounds us. We were just living life, not valuing (March 2020), 48% of people reported they sto- family, friends, everything we had, but we learned that pped fishing completely. Eight months later, 91% we have to be prepared for whatever comes” and they of those interviewed reported having returned mentioned being more united at the family and to fishing with limitations (70%) or completely community level “This helped us to unite as a com- (21%). In the words of a fisher (70 years old) “We munity, since we all lack things and it taught us to work are learning and adapting to this, I tell my children, we for the good of everyone” (fisher, 41). Other answers have no choice”. Only 8% mentioned not having sto- included environmental aspects (8%), economic pped their fishing activities and 1% said that they (5%), solutions (2%), technology (2%) and role had not returned to working in fisheries (only four of the State (1%). An administrator (49) shared people mentioned working in alternative econo- the following reflection “It is a strong wake-up call as mic activities). In addition, 52% mentioned that human beings, we have to be more sensitive and be aware their markets have reopened while 28% that mar- that we have to care for our environment”. The remai- kets have partially opened. On the contrary, 10% ning 20% insisted that nothing has changed for mentioned not having lost their market, while the the better. remainder reported that they have not yet mana- ged to reactivate them (8%) or were not sure if Negative changes mentioned in the interviews re- they had already opened (2%). flect that the main concern of the communities is the economy (44%). They even perceive an abuse Despite this reactivation of activity, two out of from the market “Catches are badly paid, and suppliers three people (67%) mentioned that their fishery 12 take advantage of it” (fisher, 38), something that has has not returned to normal . A fisher (49) said “I been mentioned from the beginning of the pan- don‘t know if we should attribute this situation to clima- demic9. Fishers are concerned about the increase te change or bad weather, but there is no octopus, I have in crime and misinformation (26%), they notice talked to my wife and colleagues who are also fishers and negative changes in health (7%) and to a lesser the truth is that it has not gone well and we are worried”. extent, impacts on the environment (4%), role The remaining 33% said that they are operating of the State (4%), solutions and technology (1% normally (21%), that they never changed the way each). The remaining 14% believe that everything they work (10%) or are not sure (2%). People who remains the same. changed the way they work reported: 1) a reduction in fishing effort (fewer working days and lower catches), 2) the implementation of preventative measures (fishing gear for personal use - not sha- red, hand sanitizer, masks, and improved hygiene, personally and in their gear and facilities), and 3) modification of the fishing dynamics (extraction “Since many people stopped earning money, crime has exploded. of lower-value species, shorter distances). Now they are stealing small things to sell them quickly, several engines have already been stolen from the boats and the Communities perceived positive changes especia- authorities do nothing” lly in social (43%) and health (19%) aspects. An Fisher, 49 administrator (53) mentioned “We learned to value MONTHLY REPORT | DECEMBER 2020 3 The voice of fishers about the principles for the new normal Learn to adapt and find their own solutions “The world is constantly changing, and we “We need to understand that nothing is going must adapt at the same time or faster so that to be the same, we must look for and create it does not affect us, get creative to adapt, not groups to find solutions”. wait for someone to bring us the solution”. (Fisher, 61). (Fisher, 28). “We have to learn to save for these contingencies and not wait for the government or someone else to solve our problems”. (Fisher, 33). Be in communication and use technology “I think we are still on time for fishers to use social media and keep ourselves up to date by migrating to the digital world. It could be “Communication is essential, having internet a way to offer catches, of any species, try to in the community has helped us understand the find a market, post weather conditions and problem and how to avoid spreading it on the government announcements focused to the island”. sector, without getting involved in political issues”. (Fisher, 32). (Fisher, 47). MONTHLY REPORT | DECEMBER 2020 PRINCIPLES FOR THE NEW NORMAL IN SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES Be organized and informed “Organization is key to solving these big “It has helped us, as a cooperative, to stand problems, if we are not organized or we do together, to define each of our roles, and better not respect ourselves as cooperatives, in the organize the cooperative”. end we are more vulnerable in every sense”. (Fishery technician, 32). (Worker from a processing plant, 50). “Organize ourselves and show from the start that this is hitting our economy hard to get the attention of the authorities, we are still forgotten in many aspects, procedures, licenses, surveillance”. (Administrator, 58). Save and find alternative markets “Commercialize nationally and create “Regarding fishing, I should have looked awareness on consuming local or regional for more market alternatives locally, to have products, so that we do not have to rely too better income and avoid intermediaries”. much on the international market”. (Administrator, 39). (Fisher, 28). “Save and commercialize in different places, offer products with different presentations”. (Fisher, 48). MONTHLY REPORT | DECEMBER 2020 5 Lessons learned from digital interventions In general, those interviewed highlighted that the eight They also think that there were too many questions, months of consultation have contributed to making or they regretted that on occasions the interview had visible the situation of the sector and to connect with to be rescheduled several times. other fishers (they mention a WhatsApp group with more than 200 participants), and to understand that Interviewees believe that the information is very va- they are being heard: “I liked that they listened to us and luable and should be made available to diverse sec- look after a sector forgotten by the authorities” (Fisher, tors (some people indicated more than one sector): 49). Some people mentioned that the interviews federal government, particularly the dependencies in questions, as well as the reports, made them think charge of fisheries and aquaculture (82%), communi- about their own situation.