Through our lens: voices from fishing communities

Small-scale fisherfolk communities are on the frontlines of climate change, environmental degradation, and socio-economic transformation. Yet their lived experiences, knowledge, and perspectives remain underrepresented in policy dialogues and development planning. 

Through a participatory photovoice initiative, community members documented their everyday realities, challenges, and aspirations using photography. These images provide powerful, first-hand narratives on fisheries livelihoods, gender roles, climate risks, and environmental change. 

This photo exhibition aims to transform community-generated evidence into a platform for dialogue, learning, and policy engagement by bringing together fisher representatives, policymakers, embassies, development partners, researchers, media, and civil society. 

Objectives 

The exhibition aims to: 

1. Amplify community voices and lived experiences through visual storytelling. 
2. Increase awareness of climate, livelihood, and gender challenges in small-scale fisheries. 
3. Facilitate dialogue between communities and decision-makers. 

The target audience for this exhibition includes government policymakers, diplomatic missions and development partners; national and international NGOs; media professionals and journalists; researchers and academics; community representatives and leaders. 

Exhibition format 

The exhibition format is being planned as a physical exhibition featuring 10–15 curated photographs with captions and/or short narratives. It will include an interactive space for dialogue between invited guests and a few community members who would also be invited to the event. It’s planned to also host an online exhibition that will include a digital photo gallery, and possibly a few stories/quotes from community members.