WFFP GA5 in PAKISTAN- A Celebration of Freedom, Democracy and Justice in the Context of Terrorism and Violence
1. The fifth General Assembly (GA5) of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) from 27-30 April 2011 was an historic event. Generally outsiders think that Pakistan is a place of terrorists. But the WFFP delegates came and saw a different Pakistan of Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Justice. It was a celebration of Peace, Justice, Freedom and Gender equality.
2. Many delegates had obtained Pakistan Visa. Many others had many hurdles to o through in getting Pakistan visa. Pakistan Fisherfolks Forum (PFF) worked hard to obtain NOC for the Indians. Three men and women represents different peoples movements obtained Pakistan Visa.
3. It was inaugurated by the Fisheries Minister. There was a very meaningful Cultural Programme. There was gender equality everywhere. At the Mass Rally Mrs Tahira Ali spoke with vigour and the WFFP women delegates went to the stage supported her.
4. On 28th April Pakistan Institute of Labour and Research (PILER) gave the WFFP deleates a big reception.
The following are the decisions of GA5, Decisions of the General Assembly 5
World Forum of Fisher Peoples
Karachi, Pakistan
April 27 – 30, 2011
Decision 1
The General Assembly unanimously adopted the report of the General Secretary which included the minutes of all previous Coordinating Committee meetings of the last term. The Assembly also adopted the financial report as tabled by Father Thomas Kocherry.
Decision 2
The General Assembly unanimously adopted the following plan of action:
1. WFFP and its members will endeavour to inform and raise the awareness of local fishing communities about the Bangkok Statement, the UNCLOS, UN declaration of human rights, Convention on Biodiversity, UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous People, and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). This will be done by using plain local language in an accessible form, as well as alternative print and electronic media, in focus group discussions, workshops and seminars. These activities will ensure that fisher communities are mobilised in order to provide their own contributions to the content of the global instrument on small scale fisheries.

2. Alongside the above, we will also organise a range of different engagements with state officials at all levels, political leaders and NGOs in order to inform and seek their acceptance of the views of local fishing communities. Furthermore we will use different national level media and other advocacy instruments to further advance the interest of fishing communities to ensure that the voice of communities are being heard when governments prepare their input for COFI.

This will be done through striking alliances with potential allies and partners and organising national level workshops / forums.

3. We will pursue international alliances with WFF, ICSF, IPC and other potential groups in order to strengthen the position of our mass based struggles in fishing communities. We will organise regional country to country collaboration and workshops as well as international level meetings to coordinate and strengthen the drafting of civil society ‘draft’ code that we will use as our base document to inform the content of the official global instrument.
4. Small-scale fisher people in the developed and developing countries have similar challenges as a result of globalisation. In order to avoid dividing small-scale fisher communities in these two parts of the world, WFFP members in the developed countries will formulate a strategy to mobilise small-scale fishers in ‘similar countries’ to contribute to this process.

We will work with this group to facilitate the articulation of their needs and to develop strategies for their eventual inclusion into the global instrument.
Decision 3
The General Assembly unanimously adopted the following decisions on injustice of climate change:

• While studying the ICC effects on fishing communities, to the humanity and to the globe, it was decided to conduct awareness programmes by member organizations of WFFP on negative and destructive impacts on earth caused by Climate Crises among fishing communities.
• While emphasising the role the national government must play to reduce the impact of ICC, it was decided that national governments must comply with the laws regarding climate change injustices and the WFFP member organizations should become involved to advocate through agitations. This must happen in their respective countries.
• It was decided that the WFFP should build alliance with other sectors, social movements who work on ICC issues and alternatives.
• It was decided that the WFFP should represent fisher folk at UN convention on bio diversity.
• It was decided that the WFFP should pursue the national government to compensating the Fisher folk affected by ICC; funding such compensation should begin with the renunciation of illegitimate and odious debt to IFIs.
• It was decided to launch international campaign to pressurize the USA, China and other major contributors of CO2 and CO to ratify international ICC related frame works.
• It was decided to mark week of global action in June & July regarding the ICC & IFI’s climate enemy projects and Climate injustice in all member countries.
• It was decided that the WFFP should convene an international tribunal on “Impacts of Climate Change injustices on Fisher folk”.
• It was decided to launch a mass based campaign against sea pollution.
• The WFFP will take active participation to plant mangroves all over the world.

Decision 4
The General Assembly unanimously adopted the following decisions on Access to Rights and Privatization:

• It was decided that training of fisher folk will be initiated with appropriate technologies in small scale fishing sector.
• It was decided to launch a mass-based campaign to promote protection of small scale fisher folk, from displacement, and to ensure livelihood rights, preserve access, which are results of privatisation.
• It was decided to launch campaigns, struggles against privatisation by alliance building, and networking, throughout the world.
• It was decided to mobilize the fisher folk to be enhanced for durable and responsible fishing practices. (suggested correction: It was decided to enhance the mobilisation of the fisher folk for durable and responsible fishing practices)
• It was decided to protect small local markets. Local product labelling needs to be promoted since it is taken as a source of information on the origin of the product and the way it produced and other details.
• It was decided that the WFFP should take stand against commercial corporate fishing which destroys small scale fishers and aquatic resources and environment.

Decision 5
The General Assembly unanimously adopted the following decisions on Child Labour and Fishing:

• It was decided that the WFFP member organizations should advocate and agitate with their respective governments to ratify and draft legislations based on ILO fishing standards convention in 2008.
• It was decided that the WFFP members should advocate and agitate with their governments to pay special attention to ensure education facilities for fisher folk families through scholarship schemes.

Decision 6
The General Assembly unanimously adopted the following decisions on Trans-border Issues:

• It was decided that the WFFP should take a stand to declare a 100 NM buffer zone that fisher folk of neighbouring countries could fish peacefully.
• It was decided that WFFP should organize global conference on trans-boundary issues.
• It was decided that 8 Indian adivasi fishermen who disappeared while fishing in Pakistan water should be find out and repatriated. All Indian & Pakistani fishermen who were held in the jails in both the countries should be released immediately.

Decision 7
The General Assembly unanimously adopted the following decisions on Gender & Women Rights:

• It was decided that women’s rights of fishing communities should be protected by launching campaigns and agitations to legislate and implement existing laws. (Suggested correction: It was decided that the rights of women involved in fisheries should be protected by launching campaigns and agitation to legislate and implement existing laws)
• It was decided that international commission on women’s rights should be established within WFFP.

Decision 8
The General Assembly unanimously adopted the following decisions on Aqua Culture:

• It was decided that masses and relevant stakeholders should be sensitized at large about the harms of industrial fishing and commercial aqua culture.

Decision 9
The General Assembly unanimously adopted the following decisions on Pollution and Degradation of Mangroves:

• It was decided to participate at (related) international forums and develop ties with mass movements, NGOs that specifically deal with these issues.
• It was decided that the WFFP member organizations should observe mangrove replanting and preservation day internationally.

Elections of Secretary General, office bearers, Coordinators, Treasurer and Office Bearers

Coordinators: Sherry Pictou and Naseegh Jaffer
Secretary General: Mohamad Ali Shah
Treasurer: Nathalia Laino
Committee members Asia: Hanna Chevy O’Fiel and R K Patil
Committee members Africa: Fatoumata Diarra and Sid Ahmed Abeid
Committee members Europe & Caribbean: Marie Adamar and Xavier Ezeizaberena
Committee member America: Jorge Varela
Special invitees: Dao Gaye, Thomas Kocherry and Herman Kumara
Official translators: Zavier Ezeizabereina and Alexi Fossi
Decisions Regarding next meeting
• The next Coordinating Committee Meeting would be held in Canada in 2012.
• The 6th General Assembly of the WFFP would be held in South Africa in 2013.
For the CC meetings and the General Assembly:
• Boarding and lodging would be looked after by the host community.
• Air travel is the responsibility of the WFFP.
Pledges
1. We work as A team.
2. We have regular communication among us through teleconference and skype every three months.
3. We have communication in all three languages: English, Spanish and French.
4. We implement our GLOBAL FISHERIES POLICY.
5. We implement all our decisions.
6. We launch a movement of planting trees and mangroves wherever we are.
7. We celebrate November 21 as the WORLD FISHERIES DAY to reiterate that we, the traditional artisanal and small fisher people of the World, who depend on water bodies, coast and fish resources for livelihood, own and manage these Natural Capital.
8. General Secretary is responsible for all official communication in three languages; newsletter; WFFP webpage; raising money for administration, coordination committee, General Assembly, and auditing. Mr Naseegh Jaffar Mogamad is responsible for telecommunication and skype.
Concluding Ceremony
All the women delegates stood with the newly elected CC members. Sherry spoke the following. “This is a historic moment for all particularly for women of the WFFP and PFF. We women are proud of being part of the WFFP. We women are respected by the men. Women in Pakistan are more free than the counter parts in the World. WFFP has a structure of 50/50 Men and women. This is the only International structure with this kind of representation. This has been made possible because of Thomas Kocherry. He is with us in spite of his life long medication and rest. We thank him and honour him with a small memento – A fisherwoman fishing”.
Thomas Kocherry responded with the following words: “GA5 itself was a struggle for freedom and Justice. Coming to Pakistan itself was this celebration. WFFP continues its struggle all over the World against Globalization, Class Contradiction, and Gender contradiction. Le us stand together as a team.We stand for the rights of traditional artisanal and small fishers all over the World. I accept this honour with great gratitude"