The world is in havoc as the fast-changing global developments of COVID-19 are causing effects and consequences for all of us in our industries. We understand it disrupts our organisations; our work & operations, the lives of the fishers and the communities we work with, all of our relationships, both professional and personal, and in these unprecedented times it is difficult to foresee what the future might hold.
With approximately 800 million people dependent upon fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods around the world and with 108 million people working in small-scale fisheries, the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) is the only non-profit association that is solely committed to promoting responsible one-by-one tuna fisheries and supply chains. As we still need to continue to create the biggest impact – when and however we can, IPNLF is strengthening its senior management team with these two key appointments.
Martin Purves, IPNLF’s Managing Director welcomed Kama Dean Fitz, the new Americas Director, and Philippine Wouters, the new Communications Manager, on board, saying:
“Despite the difficult times our fisheries and fishing communities are currently facing, IPNLF will continue to support the one-by-one tuna fisheries we work with, both at sea and on land, where there are many communities that depend on them for their livelihoods. These excellent additions to our team are in line with our new 5-year Strategic Plan which will be publicly launched in the near future. Although these are very challenging times, we’re excited about the future and long-term commitment to responsible fisheries by our market partners, empowering these fisheries to give back to the seas and people that depend on them. With small-scale fisheries the world over being more vulnerable now than ever before I’m sure both Kama and Philippine bring the right levels of enthusiasm and expertise to realise our vision of a world with thriving fisheries that work in balance with nature by catching one fish at a time. We are very happy to have them on board.”
Kama joins IPNLF as the Americas Director and will be overseeing IPNLF development/fundraising efforts as well as membership outreach and relationships in North America. She will also spend a small amount of time supporting IPNLF’s developing work in Latin America, as necessary. Next to working for IPNLF, she also spends time on other consulting projects. These projects include working with the Oak Foundation in a Program Officer role with Oak grantee WorldFish; managing the Oak and Walton-funded Small Scale Fisheries Funders Network where she works with ocean conservation and sustainable food system funders interested in supporting SSFs; providing technical development support to the Multiplier Sustainable Seafood Fund, a forgivable loan program for seafood companies engaging in fisheries sustainability; and overseeing a Packard-funded Organizational Effectiveness project with FishChoice.
Previously, Kama worked in philanthropy as a Program Officer with the Walton Family Foundation and The Ocean Foundation. Prior to that, she was the founder and executive director of a nonprofit focused on sustainable resource management (fisheries, fresh water, tourism) in coastal communities throughout NEW Mexico. Her work has traditionally focused on designing and executing conservation and sustainable development strategies; translating trustee interests and goals into programmatic plans; and building collaborative partnerships with governments, civil society and the private sector to accomplish shared goals. She has in-country experience in the U.S., Mexico, Cuba, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.
Philippine (Flip) is joining IPNLF as the new Communications Manager and will be responsible for all marketing / communications related areas of IPNLF. Her connection to the ocean is not by study or trade, but by being a competitive sailor ranging from short distance sailing and being a sail instructor in Europe to long distance sea sailing. Also, growing up with three brothers, she believes has made her a communication and negotiation expert from an early age on.
Prior to working for IPNLF, she started her career als Community & Marketing Manager launching Yelp in Europe and moving into the role of Marketing & Communications Director being responsible for all communications, marketing campaigns, PR, and event organisation and relations. After waving goodbye to the review platform, she created her own roles in working independently in structuring and positioning companies and has worked for KIA, Corporate Sports Events, We Are Eves, and many more. Next to working for IPNLF, she continues working on her independent projects and second passion: opening her own bar & restaurant in Amsterdam later in 2020.