Staff

January 31 2019

Upoznajte Macarenu Molinu, voditeljicu LIFE-ovog projekta za Alboransko more!

Platforma LIFE Vijesti alboran, Španjolska, Staff

U okviru svog trogodišnjeg projekta "Uključivanje malog ribolova s niskim utjecajem na Sredozemlje" funded by the MAVA Foundation, LIFE is reinforcing its presence on the ground in order to provide increased support to the small-scale fishing communities in the region (kliknite ovdje za više informacija o projektu). Macarena Molina was selected to help LIFE in this important task across the Alboran Sea.

Dear Macarena, welcome to LIFE! We are really glad to have you as part of the team. With a background in biology and a number of years working aboard small-scale fishers vessels, you have a deep knowledge of the sector from both an academic and practical point of view. Can you tell us more about yourself and where this passion comes from?

I started to work with fishers as a marine environment officer and in the framework of that experience I had the opportunity to discover the deep knowledge fishers have about the sea, their generosity in sharing it with me but also the difficulties they face as small-scale fleet. I decided to spend time with them for a personal interest, because I wanted to learn from them and to give them back a little of what they gave me by committing and giving value to the cause of small-scale fisheries.

You worked for a number of years aboard the vessel of Luis Rodriguez Rodriguez, representative of LIFE spanish member organization Pescartes. Can you explain to us what you learnt from this experience about the world of small-scale fisheries, and especially about the sector in the Alboran sea region?

This experience raised my awareness on the challenges faced by commercial small-scale fishers, on the lack of representation within institutions and how little they are listened to. I also learned more on the passion that they put in their work and the interest they generate in all of those who approach them.

From a biology point of view, what are the main characteristics of the Alboran sea region and the issues that affect the local ecosystems and, in consequence, fisheries activities?

The Alboran Sea is the “regeneration” channel of the Mediterrean Sea, the entry point of the Atlantic ocean’s waters that, through its currents, keep the Med “alive”. It has peculiar characteristics affecting fishing activities such as the number of species available in the area, hydrodynamic conditions as well as its geographical and bathymetric profile and different ecosystems. It is in fact the entry and exit point of migratory species, some of which are interesting for fisheries interests.

The main mission of LIFE is to provide a voice for the sector at the institutional level, but also to support fishers with overcoming their challenges on the ground. What are the priorities that you plan to tackle first, in the light of the needs of the communities of the Alboran Sea?

I believe the first step should be to streghten LIFE’s profile within small-scale fishing communities in the area, as that will help to overcome the isolation of the sector which is one of its main weaknesses. I aspire for member organisations to set the course of LIFE, but first I have to explain to her how to interact with the organization overall.

The start of your cooperation with LIFE coincides with the conclusion of an important project funded by the Carasso Foundation in the framework of which you had a coordination role: Pescados con Arte. What have been the main results of such a project and are there any best practices that you would recommend to replicate in other fishing communities across Europe?

Pescados con Arte has been a very enriching experience that confirmed the interest of the wider public for our sector. It would be great if other small-scale fishing communities could replicate it in their respective areas as it would generate positive effects from a social point of view and help to raise the profile of small-scale fishers.

As a committed activist for the rights of small-scale fishers, you have already been in touch with LIFE’s partner organization AKTEA, the European network for women working in fisheries and aquaculture. What do you think of such a movement and what contribution could you provide to its growth and reinforcement?

I believe the contribution of women to fishing communities and the wider sector is very important. It is important to create spaces where they feel strenghtened and supported to share their concerns. Aktea is definitely an opportunity in this respect and I will work to ensure it becomes an helpful tool.

♦ ♦ ♦

October 11 2018

Upoznajte Aliciju Said, našu voditeljicu projekata za Maltu

Platforma LIFE Vijesti Malta, Staff

Brussels, 11th October 2018

Claudia Orlandini

U okviru svog trogodišnjeg projekta "Uključivanje malog ribolova s niskim utjecajem na Sredozemlje" funded by the MAVA Foundation, LIFE is reinforcing its presence on the ground in order to provide increased support to the small-scale fishing communities in the region (kliknite ovdje za više informacija o projektu). Alicia Said was selected to help LIFE in this important task across Malta .

Dear Alicia, welcome to LIFE! With an academic background in human ecology and many years of experience working with fishers on the ground, including through the Too Big To Ignore network, we can say that you have been “hooked” to small-scale fisheries for some time now. What is the driver behind your passion for supporting the small-scale fishing sector?

I was brought up in a rural community surrounded by farmers and fishers, my father being one of them, and I have some nice memories of my childhood at sea. In the past 10 years, I started noticing a disappearance of what were vibrant fishing communities, and I really wanted to understand what was happening and why the thriving coast was slowly becoming only a cherished memory. Therefore, I decided to pursue my studies in this field to delve into what was driving these major changes. So the past five years have been dedicated to understanding the Malta small-scale fishing sector, and more recently, I have looked the issues from a global perspective through my post-doctoral research with the Too Big to Ignore Global Partnership for small-scale fisheries research.

You are Maltese and have a deep knowledge of the sector in your home country. Can you tell us more on the current situation of small-scale fisheries in Malta? What are the main challenges Maltese fishers have to face locally?

As a researcher, I focus on small-scale fisheries sustainability, as I believe it is the way forward to engender viable fishing communities, especially in small island states like Malta. Maltese small-scale fisheries are vulnerable to the incremental implications deriving from policy changes dawning onto the endogenous Maltese fishing patterns since EU accession in 2004. Access to fisheries resources and quotas, competition with other marine users, as well as declining fish stocks, and issues relating to access to decision-making fora are few of the challenges of Maltese fishers. Moreover, these issues are complex and interlocked, and thus resolving them needs careful attention and inclusive participation from the fishers themselves.

By recruiting you as Project Manager for Malta, LIFE wants to give Maltese small-scale fishers the opportunity to have someone on the ground to help them reinforce their local networks, to support them in designing local projects and solutions but also in making their voice heard at the European Institution and international level. What are, according to you, the most urgent messages that need to be brought to the attention of these decision-makers from a Maltese perspective?

I believe that that fishers need to be given a voice, more support, solutions and alternatives. You have a sector where the number of small-scale fishers is constantly declining, and reviving it needs a good policy that actually caters for the small-scale sector. The sector has different fishers with distinct needs, thus understanding such complexity is necessary to ensure that the policies fit the multifaceted nature of the small-scale fisheries. Incentives to improve the access to fisheries resources and quotas, and market systems such as adding value to their catches are measures that can have long-term benefits. More studies on the socio-ecological systems need to be pursued to ensure that fishers livelihoods continue in to the future. Moreover, catering for the regeneration of the sector is crucial. Perhaps making space for young fishers who would like to join the sector and are unable to afford the start-up investment, can secure the continuity of the sector.

It is well-known that Malta is a key player in industrial aquaculture, especially for the fattening of Bluefin Tuna. In your view what are the consequences of such massive investments for a just and equitable maritime spatial planning that ensures that the interests of local coastal communities are taken into account?

According to a study which we carried out in 2016, tuna ranching in Malta has changed the economy of the small-scale fishing sector, as the transferability of the quotas has allowed the concentration of fishing rights into fewer hands, leaving little opportunity for the small-scale sector to participate in this fishery. In the past year, there has been a positive change as the government has allocated 25 tonnes for non-permit holders, which is a good sign of equitable distribution. Nonetheless, the way by which those 25 tonnes have actually benefitted the small-scale sector is something that needs to be looked into. With regards to marine spatial planning, fishers are increasingly undergoing spatial squeezing within the inshore fishing grounds. Competing for space is something they have to do on a daily basis, and the advent of the marine protected areas as a new layer in the congested sea calls for urgent measures to ensure that fishers’ livelihoods are safeguarded.

Through the Too Big to Ignore (TBTI) network you had the opportunity to get in touch with a number of fishing communities from different parts of the world. Are there any best practices that you have seen abroad that you think would bring positive benefits in Malta?

With TBTI I have been able to learn about the different challenges and opportunities of small-scale fisheries around the world. For example, in South Africa, TBTI along with Masifundise Development Trust, the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) at the University of the Western Cape, has developed a small-scale fisheries policy handbook to inform fishing communities about their rights and obligations. I believe that such strategies empower communities to improve their negotiating power to influence policies that determine their futures. Another highlight which I think deserves to be acknowledged is the planned gathering of scientists, policy-makers and fishing communities during the 3^rd world small-scale fisheries conference, which will be held in October 2018 in Thailand. I look forward to attending and being part of the conversation that will give a voice to fishers.

We hope you are excited to officially join the LIFE Mediterranean team for this new adventure. What are the priorities you plan to tackle in your new role?

I will be looking forward to support the Malta Small-scale Fisheries Network (MSFN) which has been launched recently to bring together fishers and other stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities for the sector. I will, of course, continue pursuing further research about the sector to be able to inform the policy-making spectrum, both at the national and regional levels. All in all, it’s all about bringing back the fishing communities, and making them something of the future and not a memory of the past.

♦ ♦ ♦

October 19 2017

Zapošljavanje pripravnika za voditelja ureda

Platforma LIFE Vijesti Staff, vacancy

Trainee Office Manager

LIFE is seeking an enthusiastic trainee for its European office in Brussels.

The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) is a European umbrella organisation, established to represent the interests of the small-scale, low impact commercial fishers who fish in the coastal waters of Europe. Its mission is to achieve conditions in which fishing is performed in a sustainable manner and small-scale, low impact fishermen and women in Europe can maximise their social and economic viability. More information can be found on our website www.lifeplatform.eu .

GLAVNA PODRUČJA ODGOVORNOSTI

ADMINISTRATION/SECRETARIAL

(a) Manage the day to day operation of the LIFE’s Brussels office

(b) Track and manage incoming and outgoing correspondence and circulate appropriately

(e) Make necessary travel arrangements; arrange trains, flights, hotel and venues bookings as required

(g) In liaison with the Finance Manager process orders and invoices, maintain records of expenditure and monitor budgets

(h) Manage and monitor the annual organisation planning and reporting timetable.

(i) Maintain filing systems and records for all documents – including managing HR files and contacts with Belgian social security services

MEETINGS and EVENTS

(a) Organise meetings by preparing and circulating agendas & documentation, in particular, for LIFE Board meetings and Annual General Assembly

(b) Take responsibility for meeting logistics, interpretation and equipment

SPECIFIKACIJA OSOBE

U nastavku su navedeni uvjeti potrebni za obavljanje ovog posla. Odabir kandidata temeljit će se na stupnju u kojem su ti uvjeti ispunjeni.

Administracija/Tajništvo

Proven experience in a related role
Experience of working with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
Experience of and familiarity with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint) packages and video conferencing systems
Experience of administering meetings, including minute taking
Experience working with a similar organisation

Logistics

Ability to organize conferences, meetings (travel, accommodation, venue, catering, etc)

Komunikacija

A high standard of written and oral communication skills
Fluency in English and French (both written and verbal)
Fluent in at least one Northern or Eastern Mediterranean language

Osobne kvalitete

A high degree of motivation and professionalism
Excellent inter-personal skills
Respect for confidentiality at all times
Ability to develop effective working relationships at all levels
Ability to work unsupervised and with a high level of initiative
Proactive, creative and flexible in finding solutions to problems
Ability to remain calm and deliver to tight deadlines under pressure
Takes in information and learns new skills quickly

Fleksibilnost i pouzdanost

Willingness to work unsocial hours if required
Willingness to travel within Europe if required

Based in Brussels, eligible to work under Belgian law and immediately available

This is initially a 6 months contract under Belgian “Convention d’Immersion Professionnelle” with a monthly remuneration of € 781,30. If you are interested, please send a CV + Cover letter in English to recruitment@lifeplatform.eu . Deadline for applications is Friday 3/11, interviews will take place in Brussels mid-November with a view to start as soon as possible after that. Due to the high number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

July 12 2016

Meet Marcin Ruciński, LIFE’s new Baltic and North Sea Coordinator!

Platforma LIFE Vijesti Baltički, Život, North Sea, Staff

MK_twinningproject_Nov2015_rev

Meet Marcin Ruciński, LIFE’s new Baltic and North Sea Coordinator!

Brussels, 12 July 2016

Claudia Orlandini

Platforma LIFE

The Low Impact Fishers of Europe have recently been granted funds by the European Commission to provide additional support to the low impact small-scale fleet working in the Baltic and North Sea. The first step of the two-years project has been recruiting a new member of staff to design and implement a specific strategy for the Region, coordinate the work between members, help local communities to set up new organisations and liaise with relevant institutions.

After a tough selection process, thanks to his extensive experience in fisheries management, high level language skills and most of all great enthusiasm, Marcin has been selected by the Board of Directors to become the new Coordinator! Learn more about him in our welcome interview!

Hello Marcin, and welcome to LIFE! How did you learn about the Platform and what motivated you to apply?

I have learned about the LIFE initiative back in 2012, in the midst of the CFP reform process. I was impressed by the synergy between promoting small-scale fisheries and conserving the environment, which LIFE so nicely encapsulates. As far as I know, no other fisheries or marine environment organisation in Europe does that. Also Jerry’s decades-long background as a professional small-scale fisherman makes the organization special. At a personal level, I needed a change from a civil servant’s life to something a bit more modern and very exciting!

You have more than 10 years of experience in the fisheries sector, with a special focus on Baltic and North Sea Countries. What are, according to you, the biggest challenges for the small-scale sector in the Region?

I think the challenges are best summarized by the word « competition », which has many facets here, such as:

Competition to access fishing quotas with those more efficient and financially stronger;
Competition for marine space with other users of the sea, such as all kinds of: energy generating installations, marine protected areas, army drill areas, sea tourism, marine transport, etc.
Competition in product markets with the fish imported from outside the EU, as well as aquaculture products and fish caught by bigger fleets
Last but definitely not least, competition with seagoing predators (seals, cormorants) in catching the fish.

In all these areas, I’ll do my best to be of help for small-scale low impact fishers of Baltic and North Sea!

You have worked both as Chair of the Fisheries Working Party of EU Council and Chair of Baltfish and Helcom Fish. Based on your experience, why is it important to bring the voice of small-scale fishers at institutional level, and how can this have an impact on the everyday life of coastal communities?

LIFE rightly points out that the 83% of Europe fishers are small-scale. Small-scale means, among others, being occupied with (or-overwhelmed by…) your business and making a decent living (or-a living…) in a highly competitive environment.

There’s very little or no time left for small scale fishers to successfully voice their concerns or make strong policy proposals at national or European level. The decision-makers in Brussels or national capitals are usually assisted by those voicing the concerns of larger-scale fleets, who can afford being professionally represented in the right places.

To be sure: there’s nothing wrong with that – as long as decision-makers have the full picture, including the knowledge of what small-scale fishers think and want. That’s why I think that what LIFE does has so much relevance. And I am happy to contribute to this process personally. It will surely result in CFP rules being more tailored to small-scale fishers’ needs.

As the new Coordinator for the Baltic and North Sea, what will be your priorities and strategy to reinforce the network between the fishers of the Baltic and North Sea?

I basically see two main priorities: understand in-depth main concerns of small-scale fishers of Baltic and North Sea through intensive contacts, and then taking these concerns to the right fora and people with the decision-making system, at EU or national level.

I hope that, if the fishers’ concerns are taken into account by the decision-makers, the benefits of being part of LIFE will become self-evident. This would, hopefully help in expanding our regional network. Being just a few days in a new position, one has to assume some flexibility and patience as to how these priorities are implemented in detail.

Selling the product at a fair price is vital for small-scale producers. According to you what is the place of small-scale businesses within the bigger market? What is the role of consumers’ education in this respect?

Luckily, the markets for fish are quite diverse and have many different segments. Not all of us like Pangasius, right? I think that, from the small-scale fishers’ perspective, it is important to define the best market niche for them and do everything possible to establish strong presence within it. There is a number of clear advantages of the product offered by small-scale fishers: it’s super-fresh, it’s caught sustainably and low-impact, it’s local, it’s traditional. Just how to exploit these advantages in local conditions of say, Southern Sweden, Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Poland, The Netherlands, Bornholm, Mecklemburg-Vorpommern or Baltic States – we need to see. There are encouraging examples from some of these regions, often using most modern technologies to quickly reach the consumer willing to pay extra for top-quality fish.

I am sure LIFE has lots of work to do here. The key point of departure must be: fishing for value, as opposed to fishing for volume.

Part of your role is meeting with fishing communities, listening to their problems and advocating for their rights where decisions are made. Did you already plan which will be the first communities that you are going to meet?

My plans are focused on the agendas of the upcoming BSAC and BALTFISH meetings. We have a crisis situation with the Western Baltic cod stock, where ICES is advising a cut in fishing opportunities of 93%! This needs urgent attention and strong response from LIFE. Livelihoods of our Members are at stake here. We also need to keep a weather eye on the Eastern cod stock, where scientists can’t get out of uncertainty for too long – and we must avoid repeating the Western cod situation at all cost. My intention is to personally meet all the LIFE Members, in the time and the format that’s most appropriate for them!

♦ ♦ ♦

Staff

Upoznajte Macarenu Molinu, voditeljicu LIFE-ovog projekta za Alboransko more!

Upoznajte Aliciju Said, našu voditeljicu projekata za Maltu

♦ ♦ ♦

Zapošljavanje pripravnika za voditelja ureda

Trainee Office Manager

Meet Marcin Ruciński, LIFE’s new Baltic and North Sea Coordinator!

Meet Marcin Ruciński, LIFE’s new Baltic and North Sea Coordinator!

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