Member profile
Mr. Arthur Bull
Organization:
Bay of Fundy Marine Resource Centre
Country:
Canada
I am working on:
SSF fisheries policy
![](https://assets.fsnforum.fao.org/public/styles/thumbnail_130/public/default_images/person.png?itok=IuY45UU5)
Mr. Arthur Bull
Dear Lena Westlund,
The Bay of Fundy Marine Resource Centre (MRC) is a community-based institution based in Nova Scotia, Canada. Although the MRC not a national small-scale fishers (SSF) organization, it has been involved in facilitating Canadian participation in international fisheries policy since 1998, including the FAO Guidelines process. The MRC is also active in linking SSF organizations internationally though the Small-Scale Fisheries Learning Circles Project, with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
The MRC respectfully submits the following points to the discussion on implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries. These points are based on the premise that implementation of the Guidelines is not only matter for state governments, but also must include the participation of grassroots SSF organizations.
1) Full support for all the points made in the joint submission from civil society groups, made up of the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), the World Forum of Fisher Harvester and Fishworkers (WFF) and the World Forum of Fisher People (WFFP).
2) A recommendation that the implementation include innovative use of the learning network model, as a way for SFF organizations to share approaches and strategies for implementation of the Guidelines. To this end, the MRC’s SSF Learning Circles Project is developing a model for the creation of SSF learning network that consists of Skype workshops that are recorded, transcribed and posted on a website along with resources. This project, which will run into 2015, will also be available to create a web-based learning circle aimed at sharing implementation strategies.
3) A recommendation that, in order to enable the participation of local, regional and national SSF organizations, there may be a need for some capacity-building support to develop communications materials. Ideally, this would include funding for translation and the creation of plainly written popular education versions of the guidelines.
Thank you for this opportunity to contribute to the development of the implementation strategy for the Guidelines
Sincerely,
Arthur Bull
Executive Director
Bay of Fundy Marine Resource Centre