Excerpts from the Preface of the book published by ICSF (ISBN: 978-93-80802-44-2):
The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the first International Conference of Fish Workers and Supporters (ICFWS), held in Rome on July 4-8, 1984. Reflecting on this event reveals its pivotal role in shaping national, regional and international movements of fishworkers that followed.
The story begins with a letter John Kurien, a Founder Member of the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), received in July 1983. It was a tumultuous time, the late 1970s and the early 1980s. The Vietnam War had ended, the Cold War was intensifying, and global capitalism was undergoing significant changes. The repercussions of adopting Western-style industrial development in the primary and secondary sectors were evident in the socioeconomic shifts and marginalization of working populations in what is now termed the Global South. Concurrently, the feminist movement gained momentum; various social movements were emerging.
In the marine fisheries sector, the widespread adoption of state-promoted, large-scale industrial fishing vessels led to conflicts with small-scale artisanal fishing communities worldwide. Competition over fishery resources, particularly through large-scale trawl fishing, resulted in conflicts at sea. Coastal fishing communities became restless, expressing their discontent through actions ranging from Luddite protests to adversarial collective actions against the state. Their demands encompassed exclusive, trawler-free fishing zones, marine ecosystem protection, enhanced welfare support to address marginalization, and the right to free association. This was the socio-political backdrop of the first international gathering of fishworkers and their supporters.
Many, particularly the younger members within our circle of fisheries friends, were intrigued by the logistical challenges of organizing such a large-scale event within six months in 1984, a time devoid of today’s easily accessible and affordable communication tools. International phone calls incurred high costs; the internet, email and smartphones had yet to make their debut.
During that period, telex emerged as the swiftest and relatively more economical means of communication, while airmail letters took up to a week to traverse the globe. With personal computers only beginning to enter the market, mass communication relied on cyclostyling, typewriting or traditional printing in a press. Fax machines were considered a luxury; photocopying was in its nascent stages.
Despite these challenges, it was in that era of ‘snail mail’ that ICFWS was organized to become the first global gathering of fishworkers and their supporters, bringing together about 100 participants from 34 countries. The participants, many on their first international trip, embraced the journey with faith, goodwill and hope. The belief in the value of coming together to discuss common problems, identify causes, and plan remedies justified the trek to Rome. The formula was simple: no grand expectations, just the conviction that collective efforts will be worthwhile.
My reflections on this historic event comprise a personal account. A lot is from my memory, but several persons who read drafts provided details and corrections too. I must acknowledge that this account would not exist without the speedy communications and modern facilities we have today.
Reconnecting with individuals mentioned in the story through email and WhatsApp facilitated this retrospective that was written over a few months in 2023. The narration centres on a multitude of exceptional individuals, collective processes, and the preparatory events that were imbued with commitment, mutual trust, and friendship. Culminating on July 3, 1984, the day before the conference commenced, this chronicle encapsulates the essence of the preparations for this historic event. The hand-written report detailing what our fisheries friends affectionately term as The Rome Conference effectively chronicles the intricacies of the processes and the outcomes of this memorable event.
Enriching my narrative with additional content has been rewarding. The infusion of photos from the conference, graciously shared by friends who were in attendance, serves to amplify my story. These visual elements provide a vivid backdrop, allowing readers to immerse themselves more deeply into the ambience of the event. Furthermore, the inclusion of snapshots capturing the post-conference moments of the delegates meeting with the Pope, adds a poignant layer to the account.
Recent reflections shared by participants serve as a contemporary bridge to the past, creating a dynamic narration that resonates across time. It gains a multifaceted dimension by incorporating these insights, weaving together the historical significance of the Rome Conference with the enduring impressions it left on those who participated.
This account concludes with another letter that I wrote in 1985. It emerged as a pivotal element, serving as the catalyst for the formation of the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF). This unintended yet profound outcome of the conference adds a layer of serendipity, highlighting the unpredictable and transformative nature of historical events.
In a gesture of reverence, the narrative is dedicated to luminaries from the Rome Conference of 1984 who have since passed away. Their names appear at the end of this document. It is a whispered homage to these trailblazers, shaping the course of fishworker movements and inspiring ongoing struggles and triumphs globally.
In the realm of fishworker movements today, the narration emphasizes that we stand on the sturdy shoulders of these pioneers. Their sacrifices and wisdom form the foundation upon which present-day efforts are built. This document is a living tribute, acknowledging the enduring impact of those who paddled to create the waves of change in 1984. A reminder of the voyage they started, which continues to resonate in the chants of fishworkers worldwide. It is a tribute to our collective resilience.
In the Foreword, Nicole Franz of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO/UN) writes: “This publication serves as a testament to the origins of global SSF civil society organizations, illustrating how collaborative action can drive policy change. It is important to ensure that the current and future generations of fisheries movements and supporters—global, regional, national and local—are aware of and treasure their origins.”