Small Actions = Big Impact

2022 has been named the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. Linked below is video highlighting small scale fishers and fish farmers. We encourage you to watch the short video and reflect on the discussion points below with others around the globe. 

Small in scale, big in value

Discussion Points

• In watching the video:
• What did you notice? 
• What stuck out to you?
• The video shared the important balance between production and preserving ecosystems. How could this be done in regards to small scale fishers and fish farming? Is production and preserving ecosystems balanced in your local agriculture context? Explain your thoughts.
• The following statement is made in the video, "Include us in decisions that affect us..."
• Why do you think this statement was made?
• Do you believe this is an important statement? Why or why not?

Lao PDR Rice and Fish Production

Rice and fish may or may not be common agricultural commodities produced in your home region. Whether rice and fish production are common in your area or not there is a great chance that we all can reflect and learn from farmers in Lao PDR (Lao People's Democratic Republic). We encourage you to explore the linked story below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe. 

Tapping into aquatic resources to lift rice production

Discussion Points

• The following quote was shared in the article. "In the past we used to farm in harmony with the environment. But now we have more pests, and we do not know how to cope with them." Do you agree with this statement? Would you respond differently in different parts of the world? What about your home region?
• The linked story mentions that diversification in agricultural production is good for the environment and helps reduce poverty. Why is this the case in Lao PDR? Do you think agriculture in your region could benefit from an increase in diversification? Explain your reasoning.
• The story shares how farmers benefited from sharing information. Do you see those in agriculture in your home area sharing data the way farmers have in Lao PDR? 
• What are your final thoughts regarding this global agriculture story? What are your main take-a-ways?

Fish in the Desert

You would not expect to find fish in the desert, but that is exactly the case in the United Arab Emirates. Innovation has led to aquaculture with great potential for growth. The article linked below highlights this project. We encourage you to read the article and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations with others around the globe.

Fishing for change in the Emirati desert

Discussion Points

• What from the article was intriguing to you and why?
• What about the project has you asking further questions? What are your questions? Discus with a peer.
• There is great potential to increase production for this project. What do you feel is the best way to expand production? Explain your plan and reasoning.
• Fish production in the desert is an innovative and contrarian approach. What are other innovative ideas that might be possible around the globe in agriculture?

Fishing and Transshipment

Fishing around the globe is a giant business with challenging logistics. The linked video below explores the benefits and challenges of transshipment in the fishing industry. We encourage you to watch the video and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe!

Regulating, Controlling, and Monitoring Transshipment

Discussion Points

• What is transshipment?
• Identify the benefits and challenges of transshipment in the fishing industry.
• What could the impacts to global food security be if individuals or groups take advantage of transshipment in improper ways?
• Imagine you have been tasked with battling the challenges of misuse and abuse of transshipment with fishing. What solutions would you suggest and who might be responsible for monitoring and regulating?
• Do you believe there are things we can learn from transshipment logistics that could be applied to other areas of agriculture or other fields? Explain. 

Agriculture in Lao PDR

This week we travel virtually to Lao People's Democratic Republic in southeastern Asia. We explore the countryside and agriculture projects being implemented via the video linked below. We encourage you to utilize the discussion points provided to guide your conversations with others around the globe!

Agriculture Projects in LAO PDR

Discussion Points

• As you watch the video how does agriculture in Lao PDR and your local area share similarities and differences?
• Training and education are mentioned often throughout the video. How would a lack of training impact these initiatives and why?
• Of the six initiatives shared which one do you feel can have the greatest positive impact and why?
• What can you take and/or learn from this video and utilize in your local area?

Agriculture Change in Small Island Developing States

Natural disasters, climate change, and numerous other challenges face many small island developing states such as the Comoros, Cabo Verde, Samoa, and others. Through many programs farmers and producers in these small island developing states are looking for opportunities in agriculture to improve the livelihoods of citizens within the country. Linked below is an article that highlights initiatives in small island developing states around the globe and includes a video highlighting the fishing industry in Cabo Verde. We encourage you to read the linked article, view the short video, and utilize the discussion points below to engage in conversations with others around the globe!

Something to Crow About in the Comoros

Discussion Points

• What are some of the major challenges facing small island developing states? 
• What initiatives are being implemented around the globe to help farmers in small island developing states? Of all the initiatives mentioned which do you feel has the greatest potential and why?
• What additional initiatives would you like to see implemented and why would they be beneficial?
• After viewing the video "Our Islands, Our Oceans - Cabo Verde," what do you see as the biggest challenge facing the island and what do you see as the best potential solutions? Explain your thoughts.

Fishermen Dilemma

Making a living as a fisherman is becoming tougher in the United States. This is due to many complex reasoning's. Linked below is a story by Market to Market on the challenges facing fishermen in the United States and compares their practises and techniques to fishermen globally. You are encouraged to watch the video linked below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the world.

Fishermen Seek Level Playing Field Internationally

Discussion Points

• What are the challenges facing fishermen in this story?
• How do fishing practises around the globe differ? 
• In your personal opinion do you believe rules and regulations regarding fishing should change or be updated? Provide support for your reasoning.
• What do you feel is the largest challenge facing fishermen around the globe in the next 50 years? 

Global Fish

Fish are an important part of diets around the globe. This week we highlight four short videos titled "Voices of the Fish," from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. We encourage you to watch the short series below and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations around the world!

Voices of the Fish: Overview (1:22)

Voices of the Fish: Strengthening Our Knowledge (1:28)

Voices of the Fish: Safeguarding Ocean Habitats (1:25)

Voices of the Fish: International Measures to Safeguard Fisheries (2:57)

Discussion Points

• At the end of the first video the question is asked, "How do we look after the fish to feed people around the world?" What would your response be to this question?
• Why is it important that we strengthen our knowledge regarding fish?
• What is being done at a global level to protect fish and the fishing industry?
• In your local community how much is fish consumed? When compared to the rest of the world do you think people living in your local area eat more, less, or about the same amount of fish as others around the globe? What impacts fish consumption in your area?

Fish Fashion

We strive to find ways to be more efficient and utilize our resources wisely. This week we highlight a story that shares how a group in Kenya are turning an unused resource from fish production for food into a valuable resource to create more jobs and improve the environment. Check out the linked video below and utilize the discussion points to guide conversations around the globe!

Turning Fish into Fashion

Discussion Points

• After watching the video what surprised you the most about Blue Fashion and this process?
• Many benefits were shared in the video. What are the benefits of this process? Of these benefits which do you feel has the biggest impact and why?
• Do you think Blue Fashion products would be accepted in your home community? Why or why not?
• What are the possibilities? What are other ways that we can use wasted or under utilized resources like this? Brainstorm ideas. Nothing is too crazy. Who would have thought Blue Fashion the first time they heard it?

From Sea to Plate

Did you know that keeping illegally captured fish off supermarket shelves is a problem around the world? This is a challenge that is facing the fishing/seafood industry and one of the heaviest traded commodities in the world. We encourage you to read the linked article and then utilize the discussion points provided below to guide conversations around the globe.

Tracking Fish Through the Global Supply Chain

Discussion Points

• Why is it so important to track and monitor the sale and trade of seafood products around the world?
• Explain what is being proposed to help protect against illegal, unprotected and unreported fishing. 
• Why is international buy-in so crucial to this initiative? 
• Which countries have led the way by already adopting similar initiatives? How can buy-in be increased globally in your opinion?