World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP)
By Thomas Kocherry

Globalisation

To day we are in the context of Globalisation. The process of Globalisation has ensured the free movement of capital. Market determines investment and production; but market in the context of Globalisation is not to meet the basic needs of the people, but the artificially created needs. Market has no other value than Money-Profit. People have no value. Common peoples' basic needs and aspirations have no value. Those with money look for ways and means of making more money and go ahead to achieve their purpose by hook or by crook. While free movement of capital is promoted, labourers are not free to move. There is no Distributive Justice and Ethics.

This kind of Globalization began in the 15th Century when Europe was overpopulated and had gross unemployment. The overpopulation and unemployment of Europe were overcome through migration of peoples (from Europe ) to all the continents in the world. The Europeans went to all the continents, destroyed cultures, enslaved natives, and appropriated wealth. Cross and Sword went together. Though Cross was the result of Roman Domination, these two contradictions went together to convert and to exploit. They appropriated wealth from all over the world. Through this accumulation of wealth, the industrial revolution and technological revolutions were made possible to their advantage.

In the 20th century, the world witnessed the uprising of people for political freedom. Most of the countries have won the political freedom. But economic exploitation continued through Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and Trans National Corporations TNCs. Unfortunately, the rich and the ruling class of the newly freed 3rd world countries are siding with the MNCs and TNCs for their own advantage. Again the natives, the indigenous people and the fisher people are the worst hit. Though the concept and the practice of political freedom was accepted and promoted, economic control and the exploitation of Natural Capital continue through the MNCs and the TNCs.

As a result according to a UN study 20% of Northern Minority of humankind has 80% of the World's wealth and resources. And the 80% of Southern Majority have only 20% of the world's wealth and resources. 94% of all research, development, and technology are in the hands of the northern minority. It is in this context that we should understand Neo Globalisation and Neo Liberalism. Those 'haves' are bound to get more. This means more accumulation and centralisation. The whole point of Neo Liberalism is that the market mechanism should be allowed to direct the fate of human beings. The economy should dictate its rules to society not the other way round. "To allow the market mechanism to be sole director of the fate of human beings and their natural environment would result in the demolition of society" P73, 'The great Transformation in 1944, by Karl Polanji

The new Globalization inaugurated by WTO is to take away what is left in the Developing countries. The Natural Resources are privatised, so that they are being taken away by the MNCs. The communities that depend on them for their livelihood are displaced all over the World. Under the guise of stopping terrorism, war is unleashed upon the innocents unilaterally by the American and UK imperialism to protect the MNCs all over the World. The old dictum of Criminal Jurisprudence: “Even if 99 culprits/accused escapes, one innocent should not be punished” is changed to “Even if 99 innocents are killed one culprit/accused should be caught”.

Globalisation and Fisheries

Over the second half of the last century, global fisheries production increased five fold. In 1950, 20 million tonnes of marine fish was harvested. But by 1990 it went up to 100 million tonnes. One of the major factors contributing to this massive increase in the global fish catch has been the commercialisation and globalization of the fishing industry through the growth of Trans national fishing companies (TNCS).The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 47% of Global fish stocks are fully exploited, 18% are over fished and 9% are depleted. This over fishing has been done by Factory fishing ships and industrial fleets. There are 35000 of such vessels are in the world. They are partially idle or fully idle.

Over the past 30 years, the European Union and the USA have been the two of the heavy subsidisers, to go to the southern waters under the guise fishing agreements, joint ventures, export of modern technology and development. It was export of crises.

There are 200 million fish workers depend on fishing for their livelihood. 95% of them are in the South. These people are the victims of such development in the World. The export oriented over fishing by the TNCS has left devastation in its wake. Almost half of all fish caught in developing countries is exported to earn foreign exchange to pay back the interests of the mounting debts. The result has been the displacement of numerous communities as foreign vessels have over fished their traditional fishing grounds. Others have resorted to environmentally unsustainable fishing methods to remain in fishery. The community as a whole has lost, while Northern consumers have enjoyed spoils, unaware of the price being paid in taxes, ecological damage and intergenerational debt.


The formation of WFFP

Traditional fish workers, when they go to the sea carry some beliefs, morals and above all faith in the ‘mother sea', which they keep close to their hearts. It is this faith, which keeps them alive in the midst of all odds. It is the same faith and courage, which gave them the confidence to unite and struggle for their rights. This urge to fight common battles together led to the formation of a national alliance of different local fish workers struggle under the banner of National Fish workers Forum, in India and other countries led to the formation of an international alliance of fisher people called World Forum of Fisher peoples (WFFP). Since 21-11-1997 , the fisher people under the banner of World Forum have been working. This was inaugurated in Delhi , with protecting, defending and strengthening communities that depend on fishing for their livelihood as the main objectives. It was to provide support for national and international struggles that are consistent with the objectives of the Forum

The following are the rationale for the creation of WFFP.

• It is the voice of the traditional fisher people of Asia & Africa, Pacific, Europe and America
  
• Since 90% traditional fisher people are in Asia and Africa , their representation should be absolutely guaranteed.
  
• WFFP will not be allowed to be controlled by neither groups' particularly industrial group nor the North.
  
• We realize that we will not allow two kinds of citizenship in WFFP- some staying in five star hotels and others in the common places. It is based on equality.
  
• WFFP will be completely controlled by traditional small fisher people. As a result we keep out medium vessels
  
• At all levels WFFP will try to attain gender balance. A conscious effort will be taken to achieve them.
  
• WFFP will try to work out the struggles in such a way that the fishing communities that depend on fishing for the livelihood will own the water bodies and fishing implements. This is the way we will struggle to address the issue over capacity.
  
• We have declared November 21 as World Fisheries to protect the fish resources and fishing communities and November 30 as Anti WTO day. It was a moment of our strength to fight against globalization and MNC 's. WFFP has joined other for a like PGA and International Forum against Globalization.
  
• WFFP has strengthened our struggles to get the innocent fishermen out from the jails in Sri Lanka , Pakistan , India and Bangladesh
  
  WFFP has joined with other environmental groups that are fishing against intense aquaculture, ship breaking yard, Toxic and atomic waste and industrial waste.
  
• WFFP has already come out in strong support of the struggles of traditional fisher people in India in the latter's recent struggles. It was with great enthusiasm that NFF received support from the WFFP constituents form all over the world.
  
• WFFP has every right to exist on its own merit of freedom and equality and space to breathe the air of freedom leave alone to grow as we are.
  
• The word Fisher people is important. It has been an historical evolution. Most of the traditional fisher peoples' organizations used ‘FISHERMEN' in the past. This was considered as an influence of the patriarchal set-up. So to have gender equality we started using the term ‘FISHWORKER'. Now the stress is on community where children, youth every body is involved and hence we now use ‘WORLD FORUM OF FISHER PEOPLES' (WFFP). This clearly shows traditional family fishers as distinct from industrial fleets, where the worker, owner, employer and employee relationships come.
  
  Conclusion
  
  WFFP wants only five continents for practical purposes as far as fisher people are concerned. We cannot allow the domination of America when there are only two countries who can always guarantee membership in the “Security Council”! WFFP wants America within the context of South America . If different Asian countries can stay together why cannot two Americas stay together, if they are committed to the cause of the traditional fisher people? Let the North be controlled by the South! For centuries, the North controlled the Asians and Africans. Now let the North be controlled by the South.

In the name of Globalization, the North and G-7 countries want to control the whole world through WTO, WB and IMF. However, there has been a lot of resistance to it. WFFP is determined to see that we are not controlled by North but those who are willing to collaborate with WFFP are most welcome.