Institutional capacity creation: Building institutional and stakeholder capacity

13 At the same time, the USAIDCOMFISH project will work to strengthen the national research and training organizations as well as NGOs and other stakeholders in an effort to improve the fisheries information system.

4.1.1 Institutional capacity creation:

This involves increasing the capacity of fisheries management institutions and their human resources to i participate in a sustainable comanagement strategy ii manage the access to resources iii reduce fishing effort when stocks are over-exploited iv reduce effort when stocks are impacted by climate change. The goal of improving local fisheries governance also includes improvements in the ability of comanagement organizations to manage local resources in a way that is both transparent and sustainable. This will involve melding CLPs, CLPAs into UDGs, the creation of biologically sound FMPs, their annual implementation, and the well-known process of annual revision and further implementation of FMPs which leads towards successful sustainable management. Fisheries management plans must be designed and implemented using a participatory approach. This gives fishermen control and involvement which motivates them to support sustainable management. For this to happen, an effective comanagement foundation must be in place, including: i CLPAs ii a functional fisheries administration with increased power iii an adequate working knowledge of comanagement strategies in all stakeholders iv the ability to develop sustainable management plans targeting key species v popularization of sustainable management plans. It is also important to identify sustainable financing plans for local comanagement institutions CLPAs as well as others in order for these institutions to have the power and the resources necessary to accomplish their goals and responsibilities, which include the planning and implementation of local proceedings and surveillance systems. During Y2012 USAIDCOMFISH, in collaboration with the DPM and other projects and programs working in this field, will develop and implement a global strategy to build CLPAUGD capacity. Extra attention will be paid to the strengthening of the role and the mission of CLPAs in the implementation of comanagement plans. This will include support for the distribution of legislative texts and regulations, for the management of fishing effort, and for implementation of a sustainable financing mechanism for CLPAs, among others.

4.1.2 Building capacity for fishermen and women involved in the fishing industry, and