Editor's note

Welcome to the sixth issue of the Women in Fisheries Special Interest Group Bulletin. This issue of the bulletin reports on the activities of the SPC Community Fisheries Section, and includes information on the new fisheries module of the CETC course in Fiji, the preliminary findings of the Pohnpei, FSM field survey, workshops in Palau and Marshall Islands and future work planned by the section.

News from around the region includes HIV/AIDS education for seafarers, a report of training attachment in Fiji by Silika Ngahe of Tonga; various workshops and conferences in Fiji, Palau and Tahiti; coastal management in Kosrae and a conservation award for Madison Kena; and the development of a new fishery for jellyfish in the north of Australia.

From outside the region we have news of informal credit associations organised by women fishworkers in Gambia, Africa; women and artisanal fishing in Kenya; a paper from Norway on the lack of recognition of women’s issues, interest and knowledge when designing fisheries management systems; and the story of a seagoing fisherwoman in India.

Details and reviews of books and publications appear at the end of this issue.

As with every bulletin, we request articles and news from you, the reader. Articles you might like to have published in the next issue could include:

• fishing techniques and equipment
• research activities
• development and management projects
• community initiatives (co-operatives, local projects)
• training opportunities
• conferences
• books and publications
• issues that may impact on fishing communities (e.g. forestry, agriculture, tourism, pollution).

We also welcome any questions, requests for information, contact addresses and other relevant information about institutions and individuals who should be receiving this bulletin. Articles can be in French or English and the bulletin is published separately in both languages.

Please address all inquiries to:

Lyn Lambeth
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
BP D5
98848, Noumea Cedex
New Caledonia

Ph: +687 262000
Fax: +687 263818
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it