Learning not to finish: participatory media development for responsible fisheries extension

This paper deals with the experiences and insights gathered during the implementation of a research project titled "Designing and Validation of Communication Strategies for Responsible Fisheries - A Co-learning Approach" at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) during 2001- 04 under the National Agricultural Technology Project being implemented by Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. The paper is organized under the following heads i) Rationale and Objectives of the project ii) Methodology iii) Assessment of Responsible Fisheries Information Needs ARFIN iv) Communication Tools and Strategies developed under the project along with the insights (process and product phase) obtained v) Implications and vi) Conclusions. The project, which can be considered as first of its kind ever undertaken in the country, has clearly established not only the necessitybut also the possibility of undertaking extension interventions by way of designing communication tools and strategies in a participatory mode and putting them into massive use for creating an awareness on the concept of responsible fisheries among the stakeholders of marine fisheries sector in the country A model for communication of responsible fisheries is also suggested after explaining the various tools and strategies developed for responsible fisheries extension.