The FishFAD National Disaster Risk Reduction Consultant, Taukelina Finikaso, and National Assistant Officer for the FishFAD Project in Tuvalu, Vitolia Famasino, traveled to the nation’s Northern and Southern islands and held consultation meetings to discuss the FAO Disaster Risk Reduction Plan for the fisheries sector with outer island leaders and stakeholders. Meeting participants included Kaupule (island council) members who oversee fisheries, Pule Kaupule (presidents of each island council), presidents of the fisher’s association, presidents of the local women’s group, youth leaders, data collectors for fisheries and general managers of community fishing centres.

During the consultation meetings, participants discussed and learned what must be done to alleviate problems faced during and after disasters. FAO also wanted to learn the community members’ views on disaster risk reduction. To gain this insight, Finikaso and Famasino conducted consultations in each of the outer islands. These consultation included open discussions about the disaster preparations participants viewed as the most important and relevant to mitigate any potential damage to fisheries activities that cyclones, strong winds, storm surges and other disasters could cause.
A total of 120 people, 76 male and 44 female participants, attended the consultation meetings and shared their viewpoints.
The team of Finikaso and Famasino visited the Northern islands of Nanumea, Nanumaga and Niutao on April 7, April 9 and April 10, respectively. The visits to the Southern islands of Niulakita and Nukulaelae took place on April 22 and April 24, respectively. The team also visited Funafuti Island.

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department, Tuvalu Meteorological Service and Tuvalu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) supported the meetings.
While the meetings gathered some key opinions on how to reduce disaster-related risks and ensure preparedness from people living in Tuvalu’s outer islands, as well as Funafuti Island, transportation and communications presented challenges due to poor and untrustworthy phone and Internet connections. These challenges caused some difficulties in organizing the meetings and ensuring participant attendance.

Famasino noted that the missions were successful in highlighting the disaster risk reduction actions needed to ensure fishers and those working in the sector are safe. The missions also helped stakeholders in Tuvalu learn better disaster preparedness and risk reduction for future disasters.
Tuvalu’s Disaster Risk Reduction Plan notes that having a plan in place will strengthen the working relationship between the country’s Fisheries Department, Tuvalu Meteorological Service, NDMO and Kaupule in Tuvalu’s outer islands. This plan will also help prevent and mitigate disaster-related destruction. The plan recommends several measures that can support these prevention and mitigation efforts, with some key actions as follows: develop contingency plans for hazards that utilize all early warning systems available; maintain updated data and coordinate data collection related to fisheries; review response mechanisms in contingency plans; develop institutional mapping; and stockpile fishing gear, boat repair materials and spare engines to have on hand after cyclones or other disasters strike.