Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia

Regional Fisheries

Livelihoods

Programme for South

and Southeast Asia

Results and

Achievements

August 2013

RFLP at a glance

Seeking to improve the livelihoods and

reduce vulnerability of small-scale

fishers and their families

Fostering more sustainable resource management practices

Funded by SpainImplemented by FAO

Sri Lanka

Cambodia

Viet Nam

Philippines

Timor-Leste

Indonesia

Taking place in six countries

Capacity building was at the heart of RFLP

Some 35,500 fishers, family members and government staff took part in over 1,150 capacity building activities

Community members (mainly women)

Government staff

Fishers

All activities sought to provide practical skills and tangible benefits to those who participated

The sharing of management responsibility and authority between local communities and the government over fisheries resources can play a major role in their improvement.

RFLP therefore sought to introduce or reinforce co-management mechanisms through a number of means.

RFLP introduced or reinforced 65 various co-management mechanisms or bodies

In Viet Nam the first ever Fisheries Associations were formed in Quang Nam and Quang Tri provinces

In Sri Lanka legislation was changed, Fisheries Management Committees formed and the eco-systems approach to fisheries management introduced

Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils were formed or reactivated in the Philippines

Innovative Village Regulations were introduced in Indonesia as a basis for marine resource management

In Timor-Leste a traditional Tara Banduresource management mechanism was documented for the first time

Over 40 resource management plans were developed and elements implemented• Cambodia – Community

Fisheries Area Management Plans

• Viet Nam – Commune resource management plans

• Philippines – Coastal and Fisheries Resource Management Plans

• Sri Lanka – Fisheries and Mangrove Management Plans for 3 lagoons

• Indonesia – Village Regulations

• Timor-Leste – Tara Bandu

Demarcation of community fishing areas took place

The resource management plans were implemented in a variety of ways

In Cambodia anti-trawling devices have been deployed

In Cambodia community-patrolling capacity was also increased

Illegal nets have been confiscated and instances of illegal fishing have decreased

Illegal traps go up in flames in Viet Nam

Fisheries Law Enforcement Teams supported by RFLP play an important role in enforcing 3-month ban on commercial sardine fishing in the Philippines

Tara Bandu in Timor-Leste have already proven effective

In many RFLP countries fisher-government relations have been greatly enhanced

RFLP put in place processes and mechanisms to gather and generate data and information about fisheries and small-scale fishing communities

This will form the basis for informed fisheries management plans

In Timor-Leste an online National Fisheries Statistics System was launched

The first ever national census of fishing vessels in Timor-Leste

96% of vessels nationwide registered with details entered into Google Earth where they are instantly accessible

A pilot system to report and record data on IUU fishing using personal locator beacons

Boat positions and incidences of IUU fishing logged online in real time

Fishers also use device to call for help in emergency

Government plans to adopt as national system

National Maritime Authority to be formed to deal with emergency response

Generating bathymetric data through GPS sounders

Fishers can find fish, authorities gather data

Mapping spots of community interest

Fish catch monitoring took place in Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Sri Lanka

Marine resource surveys

Marine resource maps provide vital planning data in the Philippines

RFLP helped improve the safety of fishers at sea and the vulnerability of fishing communities

Training and basic equipment such as life jackets provided

Rescue and safety techniques

Boat building and boat maintenance skills

Basic first aid

Outboard engine maintenance and repair

Navigation skills

Helping fishers become ‘officially’ licensed in Viet Nam, Indonesia and Cambodia

Women were involved in training to help reinforce understanding and implementation of skills by fishers

Safety at sea awareness campaigns

Leading and landing lights in Sri Lanka and Cambodia provided immediate benefits to fishers returning in the dark or bad weather

Accident reporting systems were piloted in Indonesia, Cambodia and Viet Nam as well as Timor-Leste. In Timor the system revealed the scale of deaths and injuries from saltwater crocodile attacks.

RFLP helped develop a National Plan of Action for Safety of Fishers and Vessels at Sea in Sri Lanka

16 saved from sinking boat in Timor-Leste by using ‘aquapack’ to keep mobile phone dry which was used to call for help

Saved in Sri Lanka : diver remembers RFLP training when lost at sea; fisher saved by RFLP lifejacket when washed overboard

RFLP improved the quality of fishery products and market chains

A wide range of actions to improve production techniques, product quality and marketing so as to boost fishers’ income from their efforts

Hygiene and sanitation practices were improved through training, awareness raising material and campaigns

Post harvest losses were reduced and incomes enhanced through the provision of ice boxes and aerators in Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam

In Indonesia motorcycle cool boxes allowed fisheries products to be transported more hygienically, economically and over longer distances

Capacity building to improve product quality took place in all six RFLP countries

Producers were trained in new techniques and gained certification

Better processes, product quality, packaging, certification and marketing lead to increased sales and income

Examples of improved labellingfor fisheries products supported by RFLP in Indonesia

Direct marketing efforts boosted sales in Viet Nam

Participation in provincial and national trade shows in Indonesia drove sales and boosted confidence of producers

Beach access paths in Sri Lanka resulted in a considerable increased in income for fishers by facilitating access for more potential buyers

Thuan An port in Viet Nam’s Thua ThienHue province was renovated to enhance hygiene standards

Hygiene and management levels at Oebafish landing centre in Kupang, Indonesia were enhanced following an intense participatory process

Previously unused fish landing centers in Timor-Leste were given a new lease of life

They became centers for data collection and sharing, and ice production

They were also used for training events so as to make them more relevant to the community

Strengthening livelihoods

Approximately 40 different livelihoods initiatives were launched by RFLP.

These will enhance income opportunities for participants while potentially contributing to reduced pressure on natural resources.

A significant amount of community consultation took place to identify potential livelihoods options

Considerable emphasis was also placed on business planning and management skills

Sewing skills in the Philippines

Making bags, hats and underwear

Handicrafts in Sri Lanka

Small-scale aquaculture in Indonesia

Support to a National Aquaculture Development Plan in Timor-Leste

New Zealand will fund the first phase of implementation

Vocational training – IT skills in Sri Lanka

Hairdressing and beauty culture – Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines

Fibre glass products -Indonesia

IT repair skills - Indonesia

Engine repair skills -Indonesia

Fishing product supply store - Philippines

Boat repair and maintenance - Cambodia

Engine repair – Timor-Leste

Various fish-based and non-fish based food products

Coconut oil production –Sri Lanka

Coir – Sri Lanka

Rice banks – Cambodia

Pig raising – Viet Nam

Chicken raising – Viet Nam, Cambodia

Home gardens – Sri Lanka

Dairy farming– Sri Lanka

Sand leeks – Viet Nam

Seaweed farming – Indonesia

Bio gas – Viet Nam, Indonesia

RFLP boosted financial literacy and access to micro-finance

Emphasis was placed on raising basic financial literacy

Significant progress made in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan fisheries societies operating at higher professional levelSavings, loan and repayment rates improvedUmbrella organization createdWholesale loans receivedLife insurance for fishers launched for first time

Government requests national replication of RFLP micro-finance strategy

Community based savings groups boost membership in Cambodia

Sharing knowledge between RFLP countries and wider afield

Advisory and lessons learned notes

Anchored FADS

ICT for fishersNewsletters

English

Khmer

Bahasa

Sinhala

Tetum

Publications

Gender

mainstreaming

Anchored FADS

Boat building

Baseline overviews

Online presence

www.rflp.org & Facebook

Regional knowledge sharing

workshops

Support to Asia Pacific Fisheries

Commission (APFIC)

RFLP sought to mainstream gender in all its activities

Gender analysis and specific strategy

Approx 38% of participants in RFLP capacity building activities were women

RFLP successfully increased the membership and involvement of women in management bodies such as Fisheries Associations in Viet Nam

Changes to Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Act mean that women can now sit on co-management bodies

Two seats on Fish Finance Network Association board of directors in Sri Lanka set aside for women

Women became signatories to Tara Banduin Timor-Leste in a symbolic step

Thank you for your attention!

www.rflp.org