Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries: Introduction

CONCEPT NOTE

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO FISHERIES: INTRODUCTION

COURSE BACKGROUND

Global fisheries face increasing pressure from overexploitation, habitat degradation, and climate change, often exacerbated by traditional management practices that may focus narrowly on single species rather than the interconnectedness of aquatic ecosystems. This fragmented approach can lead to unintended ecological consequences and hinder the long-term sustainability of vital marine and freshwater resources. There is a growing international consensus that a more holistic, integrated management framework is essential to ensure the health of aquatic environments and the livelihoods of communities dependent on fisheries.

ECAS Institute, dedicated to promoting sustainable natural resource management and effective environmental governance, recognizes this critical need for a broader understanding of fisheries management. By offering this introductory course on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), ECAS aims to equip a diverse range of stakeholders with the foundational knowledge necessary to transition towards more integrated and ecologically sound fisheries practices. This initiative aligns with ECAS’s commitment to supporting resilient aquatic ecosystems and securing sustainable livelihoods.

This course serves as the crucial first step in a series on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries. It provides a comprehensive overview of global fisheries, details the fundamentals of fisheries management, and thoroughly introduces the EAF methodology. The course is designed to clarify the underlying principles, key elements, characteristics, advantages, and challenges of EAF, empowering policymakers, practitioners, and fishers to contribute effectively to more sustainable, ecosystem-based fisheries management that balances ecological integrity with socio-economic benefits.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

Explain the socio-economic role, broad trends, and recent challenges of fisheries around the world, recognizing fish as a vital food source.
Describe the basics of fisheries management, including its necessity, objectives, mechanisms, and specific elements like key actors, responsibilities, measures, compliance systems, and the Fisheries Management Cycle.
Identify the key elements, underlying principles, characteristics, advantages, and challenges of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF).

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide a foundational understanding of global fisheries dynamics and the transformative Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries. You will learn:

Fish as a source of food and its importance.
Fisheries around the world: the socio-economic role of the sector, its broad trends, and recent challenges.
Basics of fisheries management: how it works and why it is necessary.
The specifics of fisheries management: the key actors, their responsibilities, measures, compliance systems and the Fisheries Management Cycle.
EAF key elements, principles, characteristics, advantages and challenges.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is intended for a cross-section of audiences involved in fisheries or related fields, seeking a foundational understanding of sustainable fisheries management. This includes:

Policymakers: Involved in setting regulations and strategic directions for fisheries.
Staff of fisheries institutions: Professionals working within national or regional fisheries management bodies.
Scientists and technicians: Researchers and field staff involved in fisheries assessment and monitoring.
Fishers and fish workers: Those directly involved in fishing operations and post-harvest activities.
Academia and students: Studying fisheries science, marine biology, environmental management, or related disciplines.
Other practitioners: Including personnel from UN agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs).

TRAINING MODULES

The course consists of four sequential lessons, guiding participants through the world of fisheries and the fundamental concepts of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries:

No	Module	Details
1.	Lesson 1 – World Fisheries	This introductory lesson provides a broad overview of global fisheries, highlighting their socio-economic significance, current trends, and the major challenges they face in the modern era, emphasizing fish as a crucial food source. Fish as a source of food. Socio-economic role of the fisheries sector globally. Broad trends in world fisheries. Recent challenges facing fisheries worldwide.
2.	Lesson 2 – Fisheries Management – Part I	This lesson introduces the foundational concepts of fisheries management, explaining its necessity and how it functions. It covers the core objectives and the mechanisms employed to regulate fishing activities and ensure sustainability. Why fisheries management is necessary. Objectives of fisheries management. Basic mechanisms of fisheries management. Overview of the challenges in fisheries management.
3.	Lesson 3 – Fisheries Management – Part II	Building on the previous lesson, this module delves into the specifics of fisheries management, detailing the roles of key actors, their responsibilities, the types of measures implemented, and the importance of compliance systems within the Fisheries Management Cycle. Key actors in fisheries management and their responsibilities. Types of fisheries management measures (e.g., input controls, output controls). Compliance systems and enforcement in fisheries. The Fisheries Management Cycle.
4.	Lesson 4 – Overview of the Ecosystem approach to fisheries	This final lesson introduces the core concept of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF). It explains the underlying principles, key elements, characteristics, and the advantages of adopting an EAF, while also discussing its challenges. Definition and underlying principles of EAF. Key elements and characteristics of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries. Advantages of applying EAF. Challenges in implementing EAF.

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.