WorldFish in partnership with the Solomon Islands Locally Management Marine Area (SILMMA) Network hosted a ‘Women and Fishing’ training workshop early this month from 4th to 6th of November.
The workshop was made possible with funding from the New Zealand, Mekem Strong Solomon Islands Fisheries program.
Over the 3 days, 19 women came together to represent their various provinces including Guadalcanal, Isabel, Malaita, Western and Central Islands.
The core purpose of the training was to provide Solomon Island rural women with general information about marine resource and resource management to improve their understanding of basic marine biology facts and how these interact with the marine resource management goals.
The training was held at the OG conference room, Kukum highway and facilitated by two WorldFish staff, Zelda Hilly and Faye Siota.
Over the course of the training six messages were discussed:
- Marine resources are important for a healthy family and community.
- Healthy habitats are important for our marine resources.
- Coral is an animal. A healthy reef is made up live coral.
- Marine animals have a life cycle.
- If there is overfishing, there will not be enough food or money from our marine resources in the future.
- Managing or looking after our marine resources is important for our community well-being.
WorldFish works with a number of communities under the SILMMA network conducting research and facilitating marine resource management activities.
The organisation is also motivated to empower Solomon Island rural people to look after their marine resources. Providing information and training workshops is one avenue to achieve this.
Overall, the SILMMA training was a great opportunity for enhancing and building capacity of our local women interested in marine resource management.
It not only created a platform for these women to share and gain knowledge, but also give them the confidence to educate other women and children in their own and neighbouring communities.