The Resilient Fisheries RI project (2015-2018) relied on decentralized communication platforms that were open to all participants in Rhode Island's commercial fishing industry. By providing channels for participants to assemble new information, identify gaps, and explore new thinking, the network supported the capacity of the fishing industry to confront new challenges, tap into new opportunities, and pool together our collective power to advance strategies that bolster our resilience to change.
The network did not speak with a single voice or advocate for positions. Instead, it enabled fishing industry participants to leverage the benefits of coordination autonomously, by providing a toolset for the co-creation of active lateral communication and a shared ethos of collaborative problem-solving.
The List-Serv
The Resilient Fisheries RI List-Serv was the Network's primary online communications tool. The List-Serv's purpose was to provide a convenient forum for members of Rhode Island commercial fishing industry to discuss broad topics relevant to the industry's collective well-being and future. The List-Serv was created in 2016 and operated until 2019. In December 2019, it merged with the Fishing Industry Members List-Serv, operated by the Commercial Fisheries Center of RI. Industry members who are interested in engaging in continued dialogue via the Fishing Industry Members List-Serv can join that list-serve here.
Face to Face Gatherings
There is no substitute for face time when coming to grips with complex issues. During the Resilient Fisheries RI project, a culture of social problem-solving emerged as a core part of the Network's modus operandi. As the Rhode Island fishing industry reorients itself towards implementation of the Blueprint for Resilience, it will continue to build on this culture of face-to-face interaction as a basis for sustained collaboration, supported by the six rules of engagement described below.
Rules of Engagement
The Resilient Fisheries RI Network embraces six core values and principles:
Transparency
What you say to one network member, say to all.
The Network is premised on the idea that sharing knowledge and oppor-tunities for engagement among all industry members can make us all more effective promoters of fishing industry resilience.
Inclusivity
All fishing industry participants are welcome.
The Network is premised on the idea that everyone in Rhode Island's fishing industry has a role to play in promoting resilience, so everyone should be part of the conversation.
Confidentiality
What happens in the Network stays in the Network.
The Network is premised on the idea that fishing industry participants benefit from having a private discussion space to call their own. No one may use your words without your permission.
Co-creation
It's an open-source platform; issue entrepreneurs welcome!
Anyone with a good idea can build on the good ideas of those who have come before. No one owns the Resilient Fisheries RI Network. Do you have an idea to build resilience? Use the Network to bring it to life!
Horizontality
The network has no leaders, only stewards.
There is no hierarchy in the Network. The most active participants are simply active, not authoritative. If you feel left out, get more involved. It's up to everyone to nurture the Network and keep it going.
Consensus
Finding and reinforcing common ground.
Fishermen have many differences. The Network is for identifying what we have in common and agreeing to work on it together. It won't neutralize conflict, but will help distinguish disagreements from common causes.