Blue Economy: Sharing Success Stories to Inspire Change

Sharing Success Stories to Inspire Change Blue Economy

voice. They previously worked as individuals in isolation in poor and worsening economic, social and environmental conditions. They are now working in solidarity as legally recognized

TRY’s most significant achievement has been the empowerment of the oyster women. They have realized the value of working together as a group towards common goals with a common

Table 2: Transformative Changes achieved by the TRY Association 26

By 2014

Before 2009

Management plan developed, formally adopted and published

No management plan

National association andmember communities identified, expanded and active

No co-management institution

Exclusive use rights granted

No use rights

8 month closed season instituted

No closed season

Designated exclusive zones for member communities

Open access

25mm minimum length for cockles, 6cm for oysters

No minimum size limit

Only the use of an axe is allowed to remove oysters from mangrove roots, preventing the harvest of small oysters and reducing mangrove damage

No gear restrictions

Annual data collection by users for management decision making

No stock assessments conducted

Stakeholders from The Gambia and Senegal actively planning joint management of shellfish in shared estuaries

No bilateral, transboundary discussions on joint management of the shellfish fishery

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