Exploring Women s s Roles in the PEI Fishery Irene Novaczek (Institute of Island Studies) and Sara Roach Lewis (Women for Environmental Sustainability)
The Research Partnership Social Economy and Sustainability Research Network has been together since Sept 2005 A network of community organisations and academics, doing collaborative research to serve community needs Goal: to bring attention to the social economy, and strengthen SE organisations (social service, industry associations, co-ops, ops, community groups etc)
Institute of Island Studies Bridge between UPEI & community Promote progressive public policy Facilitate research about PEI Encourage global island studies
Women for Environmental Sustainability (WES) Committed to the sustainability & conservation of the fishing industry on PEI Formed around the herring line dispute (2000 2005) to defend herring stocks by pushing seiners out of shallow water / the Gulf http://w4es.blogspot.com
Case Study: WES and the Herring Fishery Dispute, 2000-2005
The PEI Herring Dispute, 2000-2005 You have to protect the herring because it is the foundation of the fishery The seiners & the 25 fathom line 2001 : seiner herring at Souris wharf 2002: the gentlemen s s agreement 2003: the wharf blockade leads to armed police & arrests It kind of shattered all your myths about the country
WES weighs in 2004 A state of siege at the wharf Someone should do something! They took that issue off the wharf and put it in the people s homes, on the TV
The Herring Conference March 2005
Why do Research on Women in Fisheries? Sara Roach Lewis (WES) & Irene Novaczek (IIS) asked to present on women in fisheries for conference in 2005 Discovered lack of available data at provincial level Started to think about absence of women at management tables too Q: would fisheries be healthier if women were more active in management?
The context: fisheries in trouble Over 70% of the world s s major stocks are seriously damaged or collapsed Critical habitat in decline (cobble bottom, eel grass beds & marshes, coral reefs etc) Dead zones (e.g. in Gulf of Mexico, Indian Ocean) from pollution Increasing disease in fish & mammals Human coastal/island cultures at risk
What about Canada? Groundfish moratorium (1992) on one of the world s s largest, most productive fisheries Researchers blame overfishing with destructive gears, mismanagement, political interference Impacts on 50,000 fishworkers Massive federal support program
Perceptions of Ocean Health & Fisheries Around PEI
Community observations (Northumberland Strait 2006) Damaged & smothered shellfish, seaweed & eelgrass beds pollution & fish kills invasive species clam cancer toxic plankton blooms changed water currents & temperatures rapid coastal erosion hard bottom & fishing gear covered in dirt water thick with sediments
Northumberland Strait fisheries Lost fisheries : cod, hake, halibut, haddock, gaspereau, skate Damaged / in decline: winter flounder, spring herring, eels, scallop, lobster, mackerel, smelts
Social, cultural & economic impacts fishing for stamps = poverty, stress outmigration & loss of community assets youth losing hope First Nations access to fisheries limited, contested
NSWG Recommendations (2007) Map the bottom Monitor water conditions Research physical, biological and chemical conditions Improve water quality and habitats Respect and use fishers knowledge Research social conditions & impacts Identify models for co-management Develop integrated coastal & fisheries management, with clear targets
Fisheries Management the old style Federal fisheries management; minister with absolute power Conservation & development mandates Privatization of public resources; concentration of quota & management tasks in corporate hands Neglect of local fishers knowledge, resistance to local level decision-making
Modern principles for fisheries research & management... localized decision- making where appropriate partnerships precautionary approach blend science with local knowledge include women and youth consider cultural & ecological sustainability participatory research & action
Fisheries Co-management in Canada the new idea Oceans Act 1997 : a new framework for integrated ocean and coastal management New interest in participatory research, fishers ecological knowledge, consultation and collaboration What will it mean for power relations in fisheries management and decision- making? Who should be at the table?
Management systems Federal Community-based Co-management ministerial choice distant from fisheries & communities strong corporate power politics Shared power shared responsibilities negotiated process and structure representative voices collective choice close to fishers and the resources individual voices heard community level power (& politics)
Who should be at the table? Making choices - serving whose interests? National/provincial governments Fishery sector associations Fishing & processing corporations Coastal communities Personal/family enterprises Future fishers, fish stocks, the marine environment
Based on other research around the world: For decision-making for sustainability - a community goal - you need more than core license holders involved. Women and youth working in fishing enterprises will have valuable input for decisions that affect their livelihoods. The wider community that depends on fisheries also has a role to play, in supporting local fisheries and protecting the marine environment.
Research questions What are the past and current roles women play in PEI fisheries? How are they involved in fisheries management? How are female fishers perceived by fishermen and other community members? What benefits could be gained by having women at the management table? What are the barriers and opportunities for women s s involvement in management?
Research process Background literature search; WES case study Interviews with male and female fishers & staff of fishers organisations (20), other community members (7), & fisheries staff (9) Compile and analyse these data in light of what is going on in the fishery Prepare a report; recommend actions; take it to the community
What we Heard: This is a do or die reality Lobster is all that s s left? Falling prices, rising costs The government didn t t look after fishing
Everything is connected It s part of our culture; it s part of who we are
Power and Politics getting political response and political attention = playing a big role in fisheries management
Data for decision-making SCIENCE vs true science Local values Collaborative data collection
Great uncertainty People are very afraid of doing things when they are not convinced it will help the fishery, but in the short term they are pretty sure it will harm their livelihood
Women s s Roles in Island Fisheries There was a time when it was unheard of to have women out on the water fishing
Captains, corks, co-owners, owners, shore crew, accountants, caregivers, cooks. The impact that women have on the fishery is completely under-rated rated I I have four jobs!
Women in the PEIFA Women aren t t asked to play any significant role in any meeting of fishermen, and that s largely because of culture I d d love to be able to sit on a board of something to do with fishing, but I was never asked
Women in Fisheries Departments We ve got a different breed coming in There was a resistance
Barriers to women s s involvement It s s a man s s world Home and community responsibilities Difficulty speaking up The noisy table The high price of entry Need for dialogue around co-management
Balancing Male and Female Roles The best management will come from a mix of Knowledge & education Experience Connections Analytical abilities Negotiating styles Values Women bring Fresh perspectives Different forms of knowledge Listening abilities Long term view Community focus Maternal instincts
Where to from here? Increase awareness of women in fisheries Open up discussion at all levels Break down barriers such as PEIFA membership rules
Small Group Discussions Do the recommendations seem reasonable? Can you think of other ways to bring women and young people to the table? What can you / your organisation do to help?