WorldFish and MFMR pave the way for disability inclusion in coastal fisheries management

WorldFish, and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) last week successfully held a pivotal workshop focused on promoting disability inclusion in coastal fisheries management in the country. 

The workshop, which took place on Monday 26 August, gathered a diverse group of participants, including government officials, representatives from Persons with Disabilities Solomon Islands (PWDSI, and other key stakeholders. 

Its primary goal was to provide a platform for fisheries practitioners to gain insights from persons with disabilities and to learn effective strategies from experts in the field. 

The event aimed to ensure that community-based fisheries management (CBFM) activities are inclusive and accessible to all community members. 

The workshop facilitated dynamic discussions and the sharing of ideas, equipping attendees with practical knowledge and recommendations to integrate disability-inclusive practices into their programs and activities. 

“This workshop is a groundbreaking initiative for us and marks a significant step towards making our coastal fisheries management practices more inclusive and accessible,” said Janet Saeni-Oeta, Country Lead of WorldFish Solomon Islands. 

“We remain committed to enhancing the inclusivity of our programs and supporting this important cause.”

Ronnelle Panda, Director of the Policy and Planning Division of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, expressed appreciation for WorldFish and Pathways Project partners. 

“We are grateful for the support in developing the Solomon Islands National Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Fisheries Strategy 2024–2027. We will ensure that this strategy upholds the rights of persons with disabilities.” 

Elwin Talo from the Community-Based Rehabilitation Division of the Ministry of Health noted the workshop’s timeliness. 

“We have a meeting with all line ministries scheduled for tomorrow to appoint Disability Focal Points, and we will highlight this workshop as a key reference for advancing our goals,” Talo said. 

“We commend WorldFish and the Ministry of Fisheries for making significant strides toward integrating both gender and disability inclusivity in the fisheries sector.” 

Watson Mali, Programme Manager for Persons with Disabilities Solomon Islands, also extended his thanks. 

“We appreciate WorldFish and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for recognizing the need for disability inclusion in managing coastal fisheries resources.” 

The workshop was supported by the Australian Government through the Pathways-2 CBFM project. 

WorldFish would like to acknowledge financial support from the Australian government under ACIAR project FIS-2020-172. 

• WorldFish