The fishers may be organized enough to utilize the information obtained to
prepare a preliminary project plan and strategy. However, in many cases, an
external agent and/or government official may enter the community at this
point to begin to provide assistance. Outside assistance is often needed as the
fishers may lack the capability to act collectively. However, in situations
where fishers are motivated by a crisis, for example, they can act collectively,
although the effort may not be sustainable. The external agent and/or
government official may organize community meetings and one-on-one and
small group discussions to introduce themselves, provide information and
discuss the local situation (Box 5.9). The meetings and discussions are meant
to begin to gather and organize information on the local situation and fishers
attitudes and perceptions regarding the resource and management. They are
also meant to begin to inform and educate the fishers about the resource and
possible solutions to problems, such as co-management. They are also meant
to open and maintain communication among the various stakeholders. These
meetings and discussions may initially be rather informal and unstructured as