Finally, as part of this discussion paper, we present some topics relating to capacity development which we feel warrant further research. They are as follows:
Examine existing capacity within fishers that may be able to assist with the introduction of new paradigms and requirements of fisheries management. For example, with respect to traditional knowledge of ecosystems, fishermen may be very aware of ecosystem attributes such as red tide, clarity of water, sea currents, presence of seabirds etc, and the implications for fish abundance and ecosystem health. Fishermen may therefore be ecosystem practitioners without really knowing it, and ways need to be found to reinforce responsible ecosystems behaviour. Furthermore, if such behaviour is then augmented with scientific inputs on ecosystems, it may be easier than first supposed to get fishermen to adopt and support an ecosystems approach. However, as suggested in Box 1 (page 10) this may require the development of certain skills and knowledge at societal level to enable community-based ecosystem management support.
There is a need to do research to demonstrate to stakeholders the benefits of adopting new approaches. This would help to incentivize uptake. On the assumption that most new paradigms aim to ensure greater sustainability, and that in the long run this should result in economic and social benefits, research needs to focus on the costs and benefits of new approaches. In particular, long-term benefits may need to be demonstrated compared to short-term costs.
A common problem for capacity development is retention. Certainly one can take the view that if a boat mechanic is trained and subsequently goes to work repairing vehicle engines, then at least capacity is retained within the economy. Of more concern is the flight of capacity from many developing countries following capacity development initiatives. People must be free to fulfil their own dreams and potential wherever that may be and artificial constraints to ensure retention may prove counterproductive. However, research is required on incentives to increase retention of human capital, both within the fishery sector and within countries. Greater understanding is required about why people leave - the reasons likely being more complex than simply better pay elsewhere.
Related to the point above is the need for a better understanding of the requirements and aspirations of individuals in terms of flexibility of initiatives and career development, the best ways of meeting these requirements, and creative ways of ensuring incentivization of capacity development initiatives.
Single individuals cannot be expected to have all the necessary capacity/skills to ensure that management and development objectives are fulfilled, and fisheries departments are often poorly staffed and funded. Research would be useful into how best to prioritize capacity development needs in different situations, but also to identify management initiatives which are less demanding in terms of capacity requirements while still remaining effective.
Given that community fishing organizations represent a key level of capacity, research is required into the barriers to effective and sustainable community organization and action.
Lessons need to be learned from worked examples of how to more effectively ensure that capacity development initiatives are participatory (see
Box 6: The SUFER project for a good example). How can fishers be involved more in fisheries research for management purposes, the setting of research priorities etc - such involvement is likely to be an especially effective way of ensuring that the findings of research feed back into management and are acted on.
In the discussion on delivery mechanisms it was noted that mentoring has not been widely used in the fisheries sector, but has been extremely successful in other sectors and businesses. Special research is therefore suggested on ways to establish mentoring programmes that are mutually beneficial to mentors and "mentees", who should be best involved, the extent of commitments, etc.
More research is needed into fisheries-specific capacity development indicators and an appropriate balance between indicators relating to process, product, performance, output and permanence. Such indicators are crucial if lessons are to be learned from ongoing capacity development initiatives.
