WG2 Minutes 2021-01-18

Agenda

1. The five WG2 sub-themes
2. Research questions and outputs, including the MARE conference (expecting the MARE conference paper can be a sort of manifesto for WG2)
3. Institutionalizing WG2 (e.g., taking on students, RAs, working with other research teams)

Discussion

Sub-themes

DEREK presented the five sub-themes from the previous meeting (these are listed on the page DFM Working Group 2: Food and nutrition security).

AMAL: This is an excellent summary. We have little macro-level data on dried fish, so it is difficult to know about dried fish consumption, but meta-analysis might help. The "macro picture" (export data) helps to understand production, by proxy. We should bring out the diversity of dried fish economies, looking for example at plantation economies, tribal economies, etc. A draft paper from Karnataka will be shared soon, addressing dried fish consumption in India, extrapolated from export data, and utilization of shrimp. This looks at (1) marine ecosystem impacts, (2) livelihoods -- who has access to marine catch, and (3) relationship between shrimp (export) and dried fish production / fish affordability.

ROTIMI: Who will be in charge of all these goals? To move quickly we need an indication of who will steer each of these activities. Would like to have a defined system. I can personally contribute, but in a fairly narrow way (i.e., focusing on technical aspects).

DEREK: Maybe 2-3 people steering everything? In the original formulation of WG2 had looked at involving Kirit in this role, but he may not have time. Perhaps Sami can take on an administrative role? He is an economist; Sami could be paired with a PhD student with more of a nutrition science focus. Rotimi is also a key player for technical work and student supervision. This could be 2-3 people guiding the process, anchored in the work of PhD students.

IAIN: I have questions about the shape of fish value chains and ecological shifts: what is changing? Thinking in visual terms can be helpful. Nutritional composition can be traced along the value chain, up to the consumer. Comparing nutritional value of fish vs. shrimp is an option, for example. We should track the different dimensions in parallel, including nutritional and cultural value. To do this we need to know the final product.

MARE Conference and other research outputs

DEREK: There are several possible options for the MARE conference. These include:

• meta-analysis (literature review on consumption)
• how the meaning of "dried fish" comes out, based on field research -- perhaps based on a questionnaire sent out to Research Teams
• The Karnataka paper (case study) -- maybe to be presented by Priya, possibly in consultation with Joeri.

It would be possible to create a paper with three components, having three lead authors. The themes would be: (1) nutrition, (2) value chains, and (3) culture.

AMAL: Maybe it would be best to rely on a PhD student to do the presentation?

DEREK: Perhaps Sami could be assigned the bulk of the work, with support from Priya and Rasheda?

IAIN: The Karnataka case study sounds fascinating. How about value chains case studies from other countries?

Student involvement

DEREK: Shakuntala raised the point that it would be difficult for a student to do both contaminant and nutritional analyses.

ROTIMI: This should actually be possible; the facilities are available. We can explore changes due to storage, etc. For this type of multinational (multi-sited) project, we can look at species, processing methods, storage methods, etc. that are common to all the sites. This can allow for a small number of samples to be development (e.g., 3-4 samples). We need to have a good discussion with Shakuntala to see what is achievable, but also fits in with the other aspects of the project.

ERIC: A student could also look at published nutritional data on dried/fermented fish from the global database, and compile a baseline, over the next couple of months.

DEREK: Maybe we can send out a list of three sub-themes and ask for contributors, and work out the division of labour in the group? I can continue facilitating for the time being, but someone else might take over.

ROTIMI: For international students, September intake at the University of Manitoba, the application must be in by March. The visa process is about 6 months.

Coordination

DEREK: We also need to coordinate with the Research Teams.

ROTIMI: As we learned from a recent IDRC project, people are often shy to volunteer, but if you approach them and ask for something, such as a conference abstract, they can step up and do it.

Action items

Eric and Derek will summarize what has been discussed, circulate list of key outcomes, seek approval, and turn that into a plan. They will send out the list of the themes discussed.

Derek and Rotimi will meet with Shakuntala (and Ben) to develop a plan for students and scope of work; this needs to be done quickly

The Working Group will hold a follow-up meeting in a month or so.