TBTI comprises 15 partners, 62 researchers from 27 countries, conducting activities in five regions of the world. The partnership is organized around regions and thematic research conducted by working groups (WG).
Africa will develop a profile of SSF and create an ‘economic viability assessment’ framework. Case studies will be carried out in Namibia, Angola, South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania to test and validate the framework. Asia & Oceania will focus on values, livelihoods, social wellbeing and gender. Deprivation and vulnerability due to risks and uncertainties associated with coastal disasters, and fishers’ adaptation and social resilience will be key themes. Research will take place in South and Southeast Asia, and Australia. Europe will conduct an overview of the SSF characteristics, state and conditions, examine ways to improve market possibilities for this sector, and contribute to the current discussion about SSF governance. Research will take place in Northern Europe and in several EU countries. Latin America & Caribbean envision a participative approach to investigate and promote stewardship and self-governance in SSF, seeking replicable best practices and success stories. Promoting sustainable livelihoods of coastal communities is a key concept in this context. Research will take place mostly in Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador. North America will focus on access to ocean spaces, fish resources, markets and livelihoods, and on socio-ecological changes in fishing communities over time. Key issues include aquaculture, recreational fishing, and aboriginal land claims. Research will take place on the west and east coast of Canada and Alaska.
TBTI is structured as three related components, explored by seven working groups (WG). The component Global Analysis focuses on defining and developing an information system for small-scale fisheries (ISSF) to capture, store and communicate key parameters, and to undertake multi-level and multi-scale analysis of SSF data (WG1). The component Big Questions is concerned with investigating how to improve economic viability and increase resilience to large-scale processes of change (WG2), assessing social and cultural values and wellbeing of SSF by refining existing approaches, methodologies and tools (WG3), searching for alternatives that minimize environmental impacts and enhance stewardship (WG4), defending the beach by examining mechanisms to secure livelihoods, physical space and rights for people (WG5), and governing the governance by focusing on institutions and principles suitable for SSF (WG6). The component Knowledge Integration will spread the word by exploring avenues to enhance effective communication and mobilization of knowledge (WG7).
