The lobster industry is a multi-faceted, dynamic sector, which means the issues needing to be addressed are often complex and intertwined. Since 2009, the Spiny Lobster Initiative (SLI) worked to facilitate sustainable change in the Honduran lobster fishery.
In order to address these issues, a 22-member Working Group has taken the initiative to address eleven common ground goals, which span environmental, economic, social, and policy related issues. The Working Group is the Spiny Lobster Initiative and the G-FISH staff serves as a secretariat to guide the process and to provide the facilitation and networking needed to create space for innovative thinking and collaboration. In response to requests from the Working Group, G-FISH provides technical support in areas such as market expansion, environmental conservation, and policy advocacy.
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2011- Year 3
What was meant to be a one year program has turned into a very successful three-year program. In this last year of G-FISH support for the Initiative, we are exploring options that will allow the Initiative and Working Group to continue in its pursuit of creating a safe, sustainable and profitable lobster fishery for all stakeholders.
Thus far, 2011 has been a busy and productive time for the Spiny Lobster Initiative (SLI). As changes to the Honduran fisheries law are being discussed, a transition away from diving for lobster is being pursued, and a strong push for the development of alternative livelihoods in La Moskitia region of Honduras are explored; the SLI has been working to mobilize stakeholders to bring positive change to these issues.
ENVIRONMENT:
Lobster Symposium II: From June 1-3, 2011, the Global FISH Alliance through the Spiny Lobster Initiative (SLI) in Honduras hosted the second spiny lobster symposium "Strengthening the lobster fishery through better management, governance, and administration for a healthier environment" in La Ceiba, Honduras. The second technical symposium for the spiny lobster fishery had a more regional approach and included participation from stakeholders throughout Central America. The agenda was shaped by technical panels, thematic workshops, oral presentations, and field trips.
The objectives of the symposium were to strengthen and improve fisheries by building mechanisms for improved governance of the lobster fishery and promoting effective implementation of regulations. In addition, the symposium supported the application of good fishing practices for growth, control, and maintenance of the lobster fishery throughout Central America. At the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries announced a two year extension to allow scuba dive fishing to continue while fishers transition to different livelihoods. The symposium included workshops to promote safe diving during the two-year extension on scuba dive lobster fishing.
- Approximately 170 individuals attended the event from eight countries representing four sectors: environment, government, private sector, and civil society.
- Twenty-eight representatives from the Honduran government, DIGEPESCA, attended including 17 who participated in different workshops.
- The symposium was technically supported by USAID MAREA and the regional authority, OSPESCA. Different donors contributed to the event including USAID MAREA, BCIE, NOAA, OSPESCA, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and more. Some were particularly interested in seeing the G-FISH SLI continue and discussions were started about how to make it a regional effort.
- This technical event enabled captains, divers, operators, and processors directly involved in the extraction of lobster to receive training and learn about the regulatory framework for the next fishing season.
- DIGIPESCA publically announced the two-year extension with the confirmation of OSPESCA.
- DIGIPESCA shared their interest in developing a new fisheries law based on best practices citing FAO management guidelines.
- The technical themes of the workshops reoriented the focus toward implementing a strategy for a sustainable, profitable, and safe fishery throughout all of Central America. Eleven representatives from diverse Central American fisheries presented their efforts and successes in collaborative activities throughout Central America.
- Provincial authorities including the Governor of Gracias a Dios (The Moskitia) and Governor of Atlántida (La Ceiba) attended ensuring the ongoing political advocacy strategy for the lobster fishery with the Commission on Fisheries in the National Congress is based on sound practices.
- The dive industry was well represented with the participation of 55 captains and divers, members of the Association of Industrial Fishing Caribbean Honduras (APICAH), and five seafood packing companies (EMPROMAS).
- The workshop on safe diving in the lobster fishery was made mandatory by APICAH and 55 captains and divers were trained for three days and received DAN certification.
- The MASPLESCA Initiative held a training workshop for 16 DIGEPESCA inspectors on the application of rules OSPESCA 02-09 on the lobster fishery in Central America.
- The lionfish demonstration and tasting allowed many to see and taste the lionfish for the first time and resulted in industry discussions on how to move forward.
- The symposium received TV and print media coverage. The media were heavily involved in coverage of the event and interviewed participants.
For more information, see the full report (right click and "save as" to download pdf).
ECONOMIC:
Engaging with Partners: SLI engaged international and national partners to create collaborative actions in some technical expertise field: COBI (trap lobster certification), NOAA, Project Green Jungle (lionfish), and EDF (catch shares). SLI continues to develop new relationships
DIGEPESCA prepared a two-year extension request to the regional fisheries body, OSPESCA, for lobster diving. The justification for the request is that Honduras is not ready to transition due to lack of alternative livelihoods and economic opportunities in La Moskitia. Closure in 2011 will hurt the community and cause unemployment unduly affecting families in that region. The SLI was approached about the extension request and has been working with DIGEPESCA and the SLI stakeholders to convey and create an action plan for the transition if the extension is approved. This action plan will be based on concrete actions and clear changes amongst all the partners and lobster stakeholders to measure the gradual decrease of the lobster diving until total closure after the extension period. Simultaneously, preventive measures against health concerns, including hyperbaric medicine first aid and other trainings, need to be taken during this extension period in order to prevent accidents and human loses.
In January 2011, the SLI engaged the Central American Markets for Biodiversity (CAMBio) project, which promotes conservation and sustainability through enterprise development, to bring support to SLI partners looking for alternatives to dive fishing for lobster as a livelihood. CAMBio prepared and executed two trainings focused on the guidelines for applying to the CAMBio loan program for fisheries and tourism projects. These trainings were for a diverse audience of fishers and the SLI working group members. Moskitia and Garifuna fishers looking for alternative livelihoods were trained on how to apply for CAMBio loans. In addition, the CAMBio Coordinator for Honduras agreed to assist fishermen in the technical loan and grants application processes going forward. This will bring economic growth and safeguard livelihoods in La Moskitia and the north Garifuna region.
SLI continues to engage the CAMBio Project to support other workshops, such as the second annual Lobster Symposium and trainings for the SLI working group members. Those activities aim to increase knowledge about fisheries management tools and fisheries laws. CAMBio requested that SLI prepare a six month calendar of activities that CAMBIO could help support.
The SLI identified the lionfish invasion as an opportunity to promote alternative fisheries. Spiny Lobster staff has been in discussion with Project Green Jungle and NOAA in order to collaborate on this alternative fishery and build knowledge about lionfish. SLI working group members are proposing a lionfish workshop amongst the SLI stakeholders to learn about the fishery along the north coast of Honduras to create potential alternatives for Miskito divers and Garifuna artisanal fishermen.
SOCIAL:
Guidance for the Sustainable Seafood Campaign: the SLI started providing technical guidance for the Sustainable Seafood Campaign led by the Roatan Marine Park (RMP). The SLI is reviewing seafood guides and campaign materials to promote the sustainable consumption of seafood in restaurants in Roatan and Utila. SLI partners are working together to strengthen the network of local partners, including restaurants and hotels, to launch the seafood campaign. SLI involvement has allowed the campaign to gain more visibility than originally anticipated. In late March, Roatan Marine Park started the first trainings of restaurant staff.
Technical Exchange: early in 2011, the SLI was invited to participate in a technical exchange workshop for fishers held in Baja, Mexico called "De Pescador a Pescador" sponsored by NIPARAJA and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). The SLI Working Group selected two lady fishers from the Honduran fisheries system to represent the Honduras lobster fishery at the workshop. Upon return, the SLI has engaged the two women to share and promote the valuable information gained at the workshop with presentations to transfer knowledge about the importance of sustainable fisheries and how they bring value to a community.
POLICY:
Formation of a Congressional Special Committee: In March 2011, Roberto Reynaud was appointed the new Director of DIGEPESCA. Shortly following his appointment, the SLI engaged the new Director by both providing information about the work SLI has done mobilizing the lobster fishery system and meeting with him and selected SLI working group members. This meeting featured the role of the SLI and its engagement with DIGEPESCA and important topics such as the lobster diving closure and the new fisheries law for Honduras. SLI will continue to be in communication with the Director and his advisors. As a follow up, the fisheries law will soon be released to the working group so they can be actively involved in the action plan for extension of the lobster diving closure process.
Members of the Spiny Lobster Initiative (SLI) Working Group took advantage of an opportunity to speak directly with congressional representatives and lawmakers during a session of the National Legislative Congress held in La Ceiba in May 2011. SLI members created momentum to bring lobster fishery onto the agenda, particularly in regards to the legislation and political visibility. Working group members first met with Venancio Sabio, the Atlantida-La Ceiba Governor who agreed to lobby other Congressmen about the important role of SLI and to bring lobster fishery into the political agenda. Mr. Sabio was able to get two governors from Moskitia and Bay Islands, as well as three congressmen from Moskitia, Bay Island; and Atlantida on board to discuss the lobster fishery issue at the upcoming Congressional session.
While the National Congress was in La Ceiba, the WG members met with congressmen and discussed the new fisheries law and the diving issue in particular. With the support of the governors from Atlantida, Bay Islands, and La Moskitia, they drafted a petition to ask Congress for the creation of a Congressional Working Group on fisheries. When Congress was in session, the fisheries issue was brought to the floor in front of the full Chamber (128 members), and the congress agreed to create a special Commission on Fisheries, which included representatives from Bay Islands, Moskitia, and others. Subsequently, the Working Group helped draft the technical objectives with the Organization of Fishing and Aquaculture in Central America (OSPESCA) and talked to participants at the symposium to create mandate for the newly formed Commission. The Fishery Commission in the Congress is now playing a key role in the formulation and approval of bills for the fishery sector in Honduras, including the lobster fishery.
Honduran Fishery Law: The governmental authority in charge of regulation and fishery management, DIGEPESCA, a SLI partner, has been working to develop the new fishery and aquaculture law for Honduras through a series of technical meetings and has hired a consultant to coordinate the process. During August and September, DIGEPESCA held a series of regional consultations with fisheries stakeholders across Honduras based on recommendations from SLI Working Group members. This was important to have a genuine consultation process amongst the stakeholders for drafting the new fisheries law. Several SLI members and lobster stakeholders were invited to participate in these consultation workshops, and in La Ceiba, Roatan (Bay Islands) and La Moskitia, SLI co-facilitated. During these events important feedback and critical comments and suggestions were collected. DIGEPESCA is currently drafting the final version of the bill, which the Minister of Fisheries will submit to the National Congress in late October, at which point debate will start around the new law.
Delay in Fishing Season: SLI facilitated dialogue between the between the Miskito Diving Association and APICAH to delay the opening of the fishing season by one month to August 1st, 2011. APICAH requested a disposition from the government to delay the opening of the season by one month because the lobsters were still small and divers were still undergoing training, and the extension was granted. The agreement to delay the opening of the fishing season was an important accomplishment in order to conserve resources and guarantee that lobsters grow to legal size before being fished, and a direct result of APICAH's attendance at the SLI Lobster Symposium.
Despite this delay, when the fishing season officially opened in August, the lobster production was still not as expected and economic losses were reported. Additionally, lobster divers experienced difficulties with the arrival of rainy season; therefore, some members of APICAH further advocated for a mini closure among the diving industry and were able to collect the necessary signatures from partners to comply with a mini-ban.
The mini-ban is set to occur from mid-October through November. The ban is intended to protect lobster resources since they were not adequate yet for commercialization. During the closure period, a series of trainings on safe diving have been planned for Miskito divers and medical examinations can also be performed.
2010 - Year 2
During the course of 2010, the Spiny Lobster Initiative Working Group catalyzed many actions, collaborating to bring about positive change to the Honduran lobster fishery in 4 focus areas: environment, economic, social, and policy. Below are some of the achievements by the Working Group in each focus area.
ENVIRONMENT:
- Identified knowledge gaps and collected data on fisheries in the north coast of Honduras.
- Identified zoning sites to conserve the spiny lobster.
- Assisted with the Roatan Marine Park and Utila Center for Marine Ecology collaborative sustainable seafood campaign.
- Facilitated the Association of Miskito Divers initiation of action for government assistance to create an Environmental Plan for the Marine Shelf in La Moskitia.
ECONOMIC:
- Began widening access to new markets for lobster and other fisheries.
- Held trainings for stakeholders in the fishery value chain about how to improve best quality product for exporting.
- Worked with the private sector (processors and boat owners) in regard to learning about certification standards for trap lobster fisheries.
SOCIAL:
- Hosted a roundtable for journalists in La Ceiba on the state of the lobster fishery in Honduras in April 2011.
- Assisted with the exploration of alternative livelihood options for Garifuna and Moskitia fishers.
POLICY:
- SLI Working Group serves as a Technical Advisory Group for the Minister of Fisheries and the Director of DIGEPESCA.
- Divers Industry Association began negotiations with the Government about the transition of lobster diving in 2011.
- SLI Working Group initiated a consultative process with GOH to help with the implementation of the new fisheries laws.
Some key activities of the Spiny Lobster Initiative in 2010 included:
Spiny Lobster Fisheries Technical Symposium: More than 200 Honduran and Nicaraguan participants came together June 19, 2010 in La Ceiba, Honduras for the first Spiny Lobster Fisheries Technical Symposium. The Symposium was a collaborative effort of more than 30 members of the Initiative. The concept and agenda were created by members of the Spiny Lobster Working Group with technical leadership from WWF. The Symposium was funded with contributions from the Central American Economic Integration Bank, Grupo Kativo (commercial paint company promoting green products), the Association of Honduras Industrial Fishers (APICAH), the Caribbean Fishers Association (APESCA), DIGIPESCA (the Honduras Fisheries Directorate), the Honduras Navy and UNDP, as well as USAID through the SLI project. Participants included representatives from the Honduras and Nicaragua private sector, government, civil society, environmentalist, donors, and the media. After the symposium, the Central American Integrated Economic Development Bank expressed interest in providing loans for several of the new proposals.
For a full report of the symposium, click here.
Involving the media as a partner in the Initiative: One of the principles of SCALE is to involve the media as partners rather than simply a channel of (paid) communication. The media strategy focuses on collaborating with the Honduran Environmental Journalist Association to co-sponsor meetings, trainings and field trips. The first "Journalist Fishing Sector Discussion" was conducted in mid-April.
Strengthening networking and communication: The Initiative is supporting communication and networking among an increasingly wider number of groups, organizations, companies and government agencies interested in supporting a sustainable fishery. This is achieved through a monthly Spiny Lobster Initiative newsletter, facilitating Working Group and other intersectoral meetings, establishing interactive portal forum, and supporting intersectoral communication.
Connecting the Donors: At the request of several donors, the Initiative facilitated a Donor Meeting. The objective of the meeting was to share information about their funding and projects related to the Mosquitia in order to identify areas of overlap, synergy and coordination. Donors included the Central American Integrated Economics Bank / CAMBio Project, TNC, UNDP, UNDP/ Millennium Challenge Observatory, USAID Honduras, USAID DC, WWF, and OSPESCA Results included: 1) The creation of a summary matrix of donor activities, 2) Focusing projects on alternative livelihoods that support the environmental Chapter 17 of the CAFTA agreement, and 3) Providing technical assistance for alternative livelihoods that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable.
Supporting stakeholders to implement their commitment: The fact that stakeholders continued to keep their commitments to action in spite of the difficult political and social situation and without any Initiative funding indicates that the SCALE process generates enough cross-sectoral local ownership, empowerment and commitment to not only bring the necessary people to a WSR workshop, but to continue working together in new ways and take the collaborative actions needed to have an impact at scale. Examples of stakeholders keeping their commitments include:
- The Roatan Marine Park NGO is coordinating collaboration with DIGEPESCA, the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), TNC, WWF, the Honduras Tourism Institute, the Honduras Hotel Association and the Spiny Lobster Initiative to develop a Responsible Restaurants Campaign. The objective of the campaign is to decrease consumption of several pressured species including grouper, conch, hawksbill turtle, parrotfish and under-sized lobster. Local restaurants that join the campaign will go through a membership process that includes training and monitoring. In exchange, they will be able to be able to post the Responsible Restaurant Campaign logo and be included in advertising and other promotional activities as restaurants that are environmentally responsible. A Seafood Guide booklet and other materials will educate restaurants and consumers about food sourcing and the importance of not consuming these species.
- The Working Group was concerned that the Roatan private sector was not well represented at the WSR. They initiated a meeting in Roatan in December to discuss how this important stakeholder group could become more involved. The meeting resulted in a major Roatan private sector opinion leader joining the Working Group (and asking that his logo be included on Initiative materials), a follow-up meeting of the private sector in La Ceiba and the initiation of the idea of having a Spiny Lobster Symposium to discuss and share marketing strategies and BMPs.
- The Mosquitia Divers Active Association (APGADH), the Industry Caribbean Fishery Association, (APICA) asked Initiative staff to facilitate a series of meetings to identify best practices for divers and boat owners for this last 2010 season. Compensation, insurance, boat policies, and divers' contracts were some of the agenda items.
2009 - Year 1
From June 3-5, 2009, 55 participants from the government, private, civil society, and environmental sectors connected to the Honduras spiny lobster value chain came together for a Whole-System-in-the-Room workshop. The objectives for the "Working Together For the Sustainable, Safe, And Profitable Utilization of the Spiny Lobster in Honduras" were to 1) create a space for reflection and analysis among the principal actors involved in the area of lobster fishing in Honduras, 2) strengthen the existing communication networks, identify synergies and promote new alliances, 3) create new strategies and identify future areas for action, and 4) make commitments for concrete actions towards reaching common short, medium and long term goals.
Using the Future Search methodology, participants looked at the past, present, and future of the spiny lobster fishery. By the end of the three days, eleven common ground goals were identified:
- Expansion of the market
- Integrated development in the Mosquitia
- Integrated intra-sectoral work
- A well regulated and ordered Lobster fishery
- Certification of the lobster fishery
- Management of the spiny lobster based on interdisciplinary investigation
- A sustainable and profitable lobster industry (best practices)
- Increased awareness and education.
- Compliance with the regulatory framework
- Conservation and protection of the marine resources through management tools.
- Regional and bi-national integration.
Each stakeholder group identified potential projects and specific action plans for what they will do to support the spiny lobster fishery. For a full report of the WSR, please click here.
After the WSR, the initiative Communications and Networking Facilitator followed up with the participants to confirm their commitment to the Initiative and share information about what actions each group had taken since the WSR. A monthly Spiny Lobster Initiative newsletter was created and distributed to all WSR participants. The Honduras Facilitator also conducted an analysis of the main stakeholders to see what they needed to further their action plans.