The document discusses challenges and opportunities for knowledge sharing within the World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFFP) and its member organizations based on a 2014 study. It identifies issues such as knowledge being concentrated among leadership, a digital divide limiting internet-based communication, predominantly top-down communication, lack of knowledge around key issues, and language and literacy barriers. It then offers potential solutions to address these challenges, including an activist exchange program, alternative communication methods, basic training for new members, learning circles, and a support group of translation assistance members.

1. Afrika Kontakt April 24, 2015
A STRONGER WFFP
Challenges and opportunities for WFFP and its members
With this document we want to share some of the findings from our study about knowledge and
advocacy capacity of WFFP.
The study was carried out by Afrika Kontakt in 2014.
It is based on 12 interviews with CC members and member organizations,
and observations of WFFP activities.
A stronger WFFP - challenges and opportunities 1
WFFP members
happily marching
together in South
Africa, September
2014.

2. Afrika Kontakt April 24, 2015
Knowledge sharing and communication
We have identified a range of challenges in regards to knowledge and communication.
Current issues
Knowledge sharing: Generally knowledge
appears to be concentrated amongst the CC,
especially in regards to critical understanding of
important institutions such as FAO and GEF, the
SSF guidelines, and democratic resource
management.
Digital divide: Current communication channels
between WFFP and its members do not fit the
needs and infrastructure of all organizations. There
is inequality in the access, use and knowledge of
information and communication technologies
across members. Meanwhile WFFP's current
communication is mostly internet based.
Dominance of top-down communication: The
communication between WFFP's leadership and
the member organizations is primarily one-way. Although it is possible to reach
the Co-chairs, CC and secretariat, members rarely approach them.
Knowledge gap: There is also a lack of
knowledge on the politics around issues of food sovereignty and
aquaculture among the member organizations.
Illiteracy: For some organizations high levels of illiteracy rates in
local communities pose challenges for effective outreach strategies
and mobilization.
Language barriers: Members of WFFP have different language
backgrounds and therefore the official languages of WFFP are
French, Spanish and English. But currently most communication is
done in English.
A stronger WFFP - challenges and opportunities 2
Digital tools in use at
the GA 2014.
“Illiteracy rates in
our fishing
communities are
as high as 85%”
ABDUL KOROMA (SLAFU,
SIERRA LEONE)

3. Afrika Kontakt April 24, 2015
Inspiration for possible solutions
WFFP could explore and develop new strategies to increase sharing of knowledge and good
practices. These are some suggestions:
An Activist Exchange Program: WFFP could benefit even more from their members diverse
expertise. For example activists could be sent to spend time in another organization. This could
provide an opportunity to learn about other organizations’ work, enrich each other's skills,
strategies and strengthen the social relations.
Alternative Communication: Written communication (via
computer, sms or print) is not the only way to reach out to local
fishing communities, especially because some of these have
high rates of illiteracy. Organizations could use community radio,
local storytellers and mobilizers - as some already do
successfully.
WFFP Basics for Newbies: Its hard for new activists to catch up
with the amount of topics the WFFP deals with. To address the
knowledge disparity among activists more experienced members
could introduce others to basic knowledge in crash courses or
similar. A great place to hold such courses could be the GA.
Learning circles: Given the few in-person meetings, knowledge
sharing via Skype or phone might be a practical approach to overcome the long distances
between the members. There are many different themes that can be explored (we listed few
above).
Support-group: The help offered by friends of WFFP could be increased through a new form of
membership. Support Members could, for example, be on stand-by for services like translation or
other legwork.
A stronger WFFP - challenges and opportunities 3
“WFFP is a platform
where we have the
chance to share
our experiences
and benefit from
the success of
others”
CHRISTIANA LOUWA (EL MOLO
FORUM, KENYA)

4. Afrika Kontakt April 24, 2015
Many thanks to all participants in this study:
Abdul Koroma (Sierra Leone, SLAFU)
Arthur Bull (Canada, Bear River First
Nation)
Christiana Louwa (Kenya, EMF)
Dawda Foday Saine (Gambia, NAAFO)
Diarra Diaffara (Mali, Association des
pêcheurs du Mali)
Herman Kumara (Sri Lanka, NAFSO)
Jorge Valera Marquez (Honduras, APAGOLF)
Naseegh Jaffer (South Africa, Masifundise)
Natalia Laiño Lojo (Spain, AGAMAR / Associatio Galega de Uartscadaras)
Patrick Fortuno (Mauritius, FAS)
Seremos Kamuturaki (Uganda, UFFCA)
Sherry Pitctou (Canada, Bear River First Nation)
Sid Ahmed Abeid (Mauretania, Federation Nationale de Peche, Mauritania)
A stronger WFFP - challenges and opportunities 4
One of the interviews
during the GA 2014.