Building capacity for community-led fisheries data collection and management
Following the successful launch of a fisheries data collection program in Rangiroa, French Polynesia, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) partnered with the government fisheries agency (DRM) to explore how this model could be scaled to other communities to enhance fisheries coastal management across the region. To support this effort, TNC established a new collaboration with the Center for Maritime Careers (CMMPF – Le Centre des Métiers de la Mer de Polynésie Française) to train community members in fisheries data collection, fisheries management concepts, and the use of FishKit.
Although CMMPF already offered training in ocean-related careers such as merchant shipping and fisheries, it had not previously included courses on fisheries data collection or management. To address this gap, TNC and its partners co-developed a specialized curriculum, which was piloted in Rangiroa in December 2023. Insights from this pilot informed improvements to the program, and a first cohort of fellows was recruited in early 2024.
From May 14–22, 2024, the inaugural Data Collector Fellowship Training was held, bringing together students from five communities across four islands and two archipelagos. After completing the training, participants returned to their communities to collect fisheries data, monitor fish populations, share findings locally, and help implement community-led management strategies. The data they gather also contributes to national-level efforts to assess and manage coastal fisheries.
This initiative represents a major step toward empowering local communities to sustainably manage their marine resources. With the success of the 2024 program, there is strong potential to expand the initiative to additional communities throughout French Polynesia.
