Artisan Crafts

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Craft production provides livelihoods for artisans, preserves traditional knowledge, promotes cultural heritage, and contributes to sustainable development. Crafts support local economies and encourage creativity and artistic expression.

SUPPORTING ARTISAN CRAFTS OF FISHING FAMILIES IS CRUCIAL FOR BYCATCH REDUCTION

The importance of women artisans from fishing families generating new income sources cannot be overstated when it comes to reducing fishing pressure and mitigating bycatch.

By supporting projects carried out by women in the coastal communities, we are also supporting the following:

1. Bycatch Mitigation: When artisan women generate alternative sources of income, they help alleviate economic stress on their families and the need to maximize catches during fishing activities. By reducing this financial and fishing pressure, fishers can choose more selective and sustainable fishing practices more easily. In turn, this minimizes the bycatch of animals such as sea turtles.
2. Healthier Marine Ecosystems: Excessive fishing pressure can deplete fish stocks and harm marine ecosystems. When women in fisher families engage in alternative income-generating activities, such as artisan crafting, it reduces their families' economic reliance on fishing and can lead to decreased fishing efforts. With reduced fishing pressure, bycatch numbers also lower, giving sea turtle and other species' populations time to recover and replenish, contributing to long-term sustainability.
3. Diversification of Livelihoods: By generating alternative income sources, artisan women in fishing families can help diversify their household's livelihood activities. This diversification reduces the dependency on fishing as the sole income source, thereby reducing the pressure on marine resources. It allows the family to have more stable and sustainable income streams, lessening the need for excessive fishing efforts.
4. Economic Empowerment: When artisan women can access income-generating activities beyond fishing, it enhances their economic empowerment and strengthens their role within fisher families and communities. Empowered women can contribute more to decision-making processes and better influence resource management strategies. Their participation can lead to more sustainable fishing practices, improved conservation efforts, and increased awareness of environmental issues.
5. Knowledge and Skills Transfer: Women engaging in alternative income activities can bring new skills, knowledge, and perspectives to their communities. By sharing their experiences and expertise, they contribute to community learning and capacity building, fostering a more holistic and sustainable approach to coastal and marine resource management.

Women generating new income sources in fisher families are vital to reducing fishing pressure and sea turtle bycatch. Economically empowering women contributes to more sustainable fishing practices and the long-term conservation of marine resources.

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