Port of Spain, December 03, 2104 – “Fishermen need to organise themselves into cooperatives and associations to make certain claims and demands and for them to be heard”.  This was one of the messages from fisherfolk along the north coast of Trinidad.  Fisherfolk from the Matura to Matelot area worked together to create a participatory video that highlighted the challenges they faced with inadequate fishing facilities.  They pointed out that many of these fishing facilities are developed without fisherfolk’s input in their design.  Poor maintenance has also resulted in insufficient security and lost livelihoods.

Fisherfolk along the north coast of Trinidad took part in a three day workshop in August to create a participatory video about a major issue that affected them.  They chose to present the effect of inadequate facilities on their livelihoods.  The workshop was facilitated by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute and Nature Seekers, which also provided technical assistance.  Fisherfolk crafted the messages, drew the storyboard, captured the images, chose the music and learnt to edit videos. 

This was an activity in the four- year project “Strengthening Caribbean fisherfolk to participate in governance” that is funded by The European Union EuropeAid programme. The project is being implemented by CANARI, in partnership with the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) of the University of the West Indies and Panos Caribbean in association with the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM).