by Curlan Campbell
- FARE is global tool developed by FAO and humanitarian and fishery actors
- In 2004, fisheries sector lost over EC$3 million in direct damages
- Post-disaster, prohibitive recovery costs to fisherfolk weaken sector
The need to have a sectoral approach to disaster risk management, specifically for the Fisheries sector, is frequently overlooked, notwithstanding the important role that fisheries can play in disaster recovery.
However, due to the devastation caused by disasters and the serious implications this can have for food security in the region, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has seen it fit to continue to support the enhancement of comprehensive disaster management and climate change resilience in the fisheries and aquaculture sector within the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Through the Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Emergency Response Training (FARE), the FAO, in partnership with WINDREF, staged yet another regional stakeholders training on effectively rolling out Post Disaster Damage and Needs Assessments (PDNA). The training brought together regional disaster risk management personnel and fisheries officers from Grenada, St Kitts and Dominica to discuss best practices and to chart a roadmap for the recovery of fisheries sector after extreme weather events.
“Fisherfolk are at the forefront of disasters, and we’re seeing an increase in intensity and severity of disasters. It’s a sector that needs support to adequately carry out post-disaster damage and needs assessment of the fishery sector to get them adequate support after these disasters take place. But often, this is an area that is a sector that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. In terms of getting adequate information on the damages and losses suffered by the fishery sector, their needs, and the response has been tailored to the fishery sector and the funds allocated to that sector. So this training is to really bring together disaster risk management personnel and fisheries officers to try to get that information out to them. To further support the fishery sectors in case of disasters,” Dr Iris Monnereau, FAO Fishery officer, Shocks and Emergencies, explained.
FARE participants at the Fisheries Division in Grenada trained in the FAO guidelines for Post Disaster Damage and Needs Assessments (PDNA) in emergencies and in best practices in emergency response for the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector. It included damage assessment of the fisheries sector after a disaster in different categories: Fishing gear, vessels and engines; Fisheries and aquaculture policy and management; Landing sites, harbours and anchorages; Aquaculture; Post-harvest markets and processing; and Environmental impacts.
Participants agreed that one of the main barriers to aiding and rebuilding the fishing industry following a disaster is the limited understanding of the industry coupled with the high startup costs in equipment and permits, in addition to regular costs for maintenance and fuel, which can significantly hamper fisherfolk from recovering post-disaster. For example, the fisheries sector after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, suffered losses in excess of EC$3,176,000 in direct damages and EC$2,556,500 in indirect damages.
Consultant and a facilitator of the training Terry Charles pointed out that when a disaster strikes, the recovery costs may prohibit fisherfolk from returning to the industry, therefore further weakening the sector. In addition, insurance rates can exceed their budgets, so many do not carry insurance on their boats or businesses.
Abdias Samuel, National Disaster Coordinator (NDC) of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in St Kitts, highlighted some of the key takeaways from this important training. “When we look at different modalities in which fishing itself can be used to help feed people post impact rather than having to depend on imports or [people] bringing relief supplies from overseas. So if we are able to cobble all these things together, then this sector which has not been given significant importance — the focus has mainly been on crops and livestock and fisheries sometimes it’s overlooked — but this has brought all the importance on and also show the significant economic value that brings to the food supply chain.”
Dr Terence Walters, National Disaster Coordinator of NaDMA, stated that the training provided some valuable insights into disaster preparedness. “It is important to ensure that we take the fisheries sector into consideration when we’re doing any disaster management planning in the country. And this workshop is quite timely and gave us a lot of insight as to how we can ensure that the fishery sector, which is in most more almost cases an informal sector, because some people are not even registered as a fisherman. … all the other issues in terms of ensuring that they have the proper equipment, the proper gear and safety and all of that. So I think it is very timely to ensure the fishery sector is incorporated in a comprehensive way in the disaster management landscape in Grenada.”
The Post Disaster Damage and Needs Assessments (PDNA) also involve the development of a Needs Assessment for the short, medium and long term while aiming to “Building Back Better” and create a more resilient fisheries sector. The FARE methodology is a global tool developed by FAO in collaboration with humanitarian and fishery actors, which, through this work, is being adapted to the national and local level.
