Catalytic Role for USAID in Reforming Nearshore Small-Scale Marine and

benchmarks. Print and digital educational materials have widespread impacts within host countries and internationally. Linkages with U.S. academic institutions improve the technical content of programs and provide educational opportunities. USAID is clearly a global leader in the fields of ICM, biodiversity conservation and environmental management. Since fisheries resources frequently represent the most important coastal resource in many tropical communities, they are frequently emphasized in ICM and biodiversity conservation programs. In addition, fisheries issues are not easily isolated from issues of water and habitat quality, poverty, or gender inequality, thus necessitating an integrated approach. 5.4 Lessons Learned from Past USAID Efforts It is difficult to generalize across sectors, approaches, and contexts. In fact, the hallmark of effective USAID programs has been their careful attention to site-appropriate planning and implementation. Nonetheless, the following are some key lessons that are carried forward in this report’s recommendations for fisheries. • USAID must work as a partner with government organizations, non-government organizations, scientific organizations, donors, civil society organizations, and other constituencies as appropriate. • Conservation and livelihoods issues must be tackled in tandem; separate treatment is unlikely to be effective given their intrinsic inter-relatedness. • Fisheries and land use activities should also be addressed in tandem since men and women in fisher households typically engage in multiple livelihood activities. • Meaningful involvement of communities and other stakeholders is essential. • Gender mainstreaming and addressing gender inequality are key elements to the success and sustainability of resource management and governance activities. • Upper-level legal and policy work should support field implementation. • Careful attention to context-appropriate formal and informal governance mechanisms fosters commitment, equity, and participation. • Carefully designed experimentation and adaptation are essential to the development of effective management approaches. • Program monitoring and evaluation are fundamental to develop responsive programs, an understanding of social and environmental impacts, and the evolution of practice. • Awareness raising and human capacity development are the basis for long-term commitment and success. • Financial and technical commitment must be consistent until self-financing mechanisms are developed, if possible.

5.5 Catalytic Role for USAID in Reforming Nearshore Small-Scale Marine and

Freshwater Capture Fisheries This assessment is based on a broad consultation with various institutions involved in sustainable fisheries management, environmental management, and development. Appendix 2 consists of a list of individuals and organizations consulted as part of this 65 assessment. Informants came from non-governmental organizations, donor organizations, United Nations institutions, research institutions, U.S. government agencies, and USAID Washington and Missions. Interviews revealed an enthusiastic endorsement for a new USAID program to improve the management of freshwater and marine small-scale fisheries. The analysis below presents key findings of what is needed and most feasible based on the authors’ experience, published analyses, and interviews. After decades of effort in fisheries, coastal, and environmental management, USAID is positioned to catalyze efforts that could reform small-scale marine and freshwater capture fisheries governance. New programs should build progressively from current hubs of successful investment. For global impact, USAID will need to partner with other donors and institutions in a complementary manner. As highlighted in the following recommendations section, interviewees suggested that USAID should focus on: • Educational efforts based on carefully designed assessments that inspire attention to critical issues and best practices in the field • Expanding field efforts and documenting lessons that can inform and catalyze other efforts through continued work with NGOs and government agencies • Changing open access capture fisheries regimes to those that results in sustainable levels of fishing effort to maintain food security, robust economies, and ecosystem function through partnerships with the private sector, donors, and policy makers • Testing innovative methods to improve fisheries management and sustainable livelihoods such as rights-based approaches, addressing gender and other representational and economic inequalities, and promoting the use of GPS and internet technology and market-based solutions such as certification • Supporting USAID field practitioners through educational and advocacy networks that improve understanding of best practices and broaden support for their activities • Ensuring complementarities of funding agendas with other donors such as the World Bank, International Development Research Centre, and NORAD, among others

5.6 U.S. Government Framework for Foreign Assistance and Linkages to