This arrived in the TTG inbox today from across the Channel - comments and thoughts welcome from members of the UK fishing industry - feel free to email or add comments at the foot of the post.
Maria Damanaki
versus Elinor Ostrom
For quite a long time now, with the
Collective « Pêche et Développement », we have been convinced that
the crisis of fishing can’t be resolved without dealing with fishermen, and not
only with fish. More than a crisis in the resource itself, it is a crisis
linked to the fisheries governance, and the sharing of these common resources.
It is then by addressing this complex problem that we can find ways to save
fish, fishermen, and ecosystems altogether. The other principle that is
fundamental for an approach to fisheries management is to consider that it is a
gathering activity and not a production activity, then, it calls into question
approaches such as that of an industrial model, and governance by consumers. It
isn’t fishing that has to adapt to consuming, but it is up to consumers to
adapt to the reality of fishing that is evolutional and complex.
Alain Le Sann
translated by Danièle Le Sann
President of the film festival, 'Fishworkers of the World'
September 2011