cFISH: Scaling Community-based Fisheries Management through Information, Learning and Action

Pacific Island communities are deeply reliant on coastal resources, but climate change, population growth, and unsustainable development are threatening marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. This project addresses the critical need to scale up community-based fisheries management (CBFM), in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and French Polynesia. By investing in National Information Strategy (NIS) approaches, the project will empower communities with the knowledge and tools to sustainably manage their coastal resources, enhancing their resilience to climate change, improving food security, and safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.

Historic CBFM models have struggled to scale effectively due to their high cost and reliance on external NGOs. This project pioneers a more sustainable approach by building the capacity of national and sub-national institutions to lead and sustain cost-effective CBFM strategies. Through targeted information campaigns, grassroots networking, and hands-on training, the project will foster locally-led, bottom-up solutions that are tailored to the unique social and ecological contexts of each nation. This innovative model, successfully piloted in several Pacific Island countries, holds the promise of a more resilient and food-secure future for the region.

Project objectives

The project's general objective is to empower remote and marginalized communities to advocate for and implement equitable and sustainable NbS/CBFM solutions. This will enhance climate resilience, improve food security, safeguard biodiversity, and provide a validated regional model for scaling up these crucial initiatives.

• Objective 1: Empower rural communities and marginalized groups to sustainably manage their coastal resources by implementing and sustaining local NbS/CBFM strategies and actions.
• Objective 2: Equip governments, CSOs, and CBOs with the capacity to sustain national and provincial information and engagement strategies for the long-term, ensuring the continued scaling of CBFM.
• Objective 3: Foster a culture of learning and collaboration through regional and sub-national networks that share best practices, validate local solutions, and build a collective voice for sustainable fisheries management.

Social inclusion and gender equity

The project is committed to promoting gender equity and social inclusion (GEDSI) throughout its activities. Recognizing that women, youth, and other marginalized groups are often disproportionately affected by resource degradation and have limited access to decision-making processes, the project will implement a number of targeted actions.

• Inclusive Participation: The project will ensure that women, youth, and other vulnerable groups are actively engaged in all CBFM discussions, planning, and implementation activities. This will be achieved through targeted outreach, the use of inclusive facilitation methods, and the creation of safe spaces for dialogue.
• GEDSI-sensitive materials: All information and training materials will be developed with a strong GEDSI-focus, challenging gender stereotypes and promoting the equal participation of all community members.
• Empowerment of women and youth: The project will support the development of women and youth-led initiatives within the CBFM framework, providing them with the skills and resources to become champions for sustainable resource management in their communities.