IMPLEMENTING AN ECOLABEL IN WEST AFRICA, CHALLENGES

AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Seaweb Seafood Summit – St Juliana – MALTA

• February 3rd, 2016

Makhtar Thiam Co-founder "Bëg Ellëg“, the African Sustainable Seafood Label

ABOUT "Bëg Ellëg"

• "Bëg Ellëg" is the eco-label for promoting sustainable and responsible artisanal fishing in Senegal and West Africa.

• “Bëg Ellëg" is a marketing tool that uses the fish market to showcase and promote locally the best practices in sustainable and responsible fishing for the benefit of fishing communities.

ABOUT "Bëg Ellëg" "Bëg Ellëg" means in Wolof, the first local

language of Senegal and for most artisanal fishermen, "THINK TO THE FUTURE" or "BE HAPPY TOMORROW"

"Bëg Ellëg" reflects a vision: "Fishing better to fish less and earn more "and make provision for future generations.

"Bëg Ellëg" brings together fishing communities, industry and other public and private stakeholders (administration, associations, NGOs, donors, etc.).

ABOUT "Bëg Ellëg" "Bëg Ellëg" set up its own framework based

on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries of FAO and is inspired by current best practices in some Senegalese fisheries such as fisheries co-management, protected fishing zone, prohibition of some fishing gears, traceability systems, inclusive surveillance, an information system, data collection and tracking, etc.

"Bëg Ellëg" is a private label and the certification is voluntary.

"Bëg Ellëg" Commitment • Fisheries communities that have agreed

to engage in sustainable fishing will benefit in return, socially and economically, for their efforts.

• These social activities towards fishing communities could be discussed inclusively.

• The objective is to show other communities that they have interest in going to labelisation because in return, their efforts will be rewarded.

ABOUT "Bëg Ellëg" Therefore "Bëg Ellëg" is an advocacy tool

towards:

• other not labeled fishing communities;

• other exporters who are not sensitive to sustainable fishing challenges;

• public authorities to resolutely engage in sustainable fishing and on a strict enforcement of laws and regulations,

• all fisheries stakeholders, interested in sustainability.

SOCIAL MEASURES UNDERTAKEN • Free ophthalmological

consultation for Ikagel Staff;

• The rehabilitation of the morgue in M'bour City;

• Financial contributions to immersion of octopus pots;

• Financial assistance to local fishermen;

• Free supply of fish for lunch to handicapped young students in Mbour City

"Bëg Ellëg" LOGO AND FLASH COD

ABOUT FOUNDERS AND PROMOTERS

Christian Langlois French Native, he born in Senegal, in a family

settled since 1940. His generosity, tolerance and perseverance allows him to appreciate the Senegalese human qualities as well as to enhance the great potential of ancient maritime traditions. President and CEO of IKAGEL SA, one of the most biggest and famous Senegalese seafood export company which supplying and processing from artisanal fishermen, and co-founder of "BEG ELLEK", he is advocating for a sustainable development and environmentally responsible initiatives of artisanal fishing in an environment where people are struggling with life day to day.

ABOUT FOUNDERS AND PROMOTERS Makhtar Thiam Makhtar Thiam has more than 20 years’

experience in the private sector and in overseeing donor programs. He partners with firms along seafood value chain to improve their business performance.

He is co-founder of "Bëg Ellëg“. Previously, as Director of the Dakar Office for the USAID West Africa Trade Hub (WATH) project, Mr. Thiam launched, the West African Sustainable Seafood Development Alliance (WASSDA) which aims to promote best fishing practices in West Africa. He was a member of the Senegalese certification Committee. He is leading his own fish export company and is currently the Secretary General of the Senegalese Seafood Export Association (UPAMES).

"Bëg Ellëg" STRATEGY

• Showcase sustainable fisheries initiatives

• Use the market as a tool to change habits and behaviors of fishing communities and industry.

• Invite industrials to support these efforts in buying labeled products at a premium price and invest in social actions in fishermen communities particularly towards women and children.

• Then, demonstrate to other fishing communities that they have an interest in developing a sustainable fishery as well as to invite government and NGO to assist and develop sustainable fishing policy

WHAT IS DIFFERENT WITH "Bëg Ellëg“

• "Bëg Ellëg“ is a internal and local initiative from actors themselves (fishermen and industrials);

• Realism and pragmatism, "Bëg Ellëg“ is modifying best practices that already exist;

• "Bëg Ellëg" is not labeling a particular species but fishing communities;

• "Bëg Ellëg" involves the government and local actors at the grassroots;

• "Bëg Ellëg" enhance local African expertise in co-management and sustainable fishing;

• "Bëg Ellëg" is promoting and enhancing synergies with public and private actors.

"Bëg Ellëg" KEY PILARS

1. PRODUCERS: The artisanal fisheries (fishermen, wholesalers, retailers, etc.);

1. THE MARKET: Industrial - exporters, women processors, buyers, etc.

2. PARTNERS: Government, research centers, agencies, private associations, donors and support organizations, projects, etc.

CONTEXT OF IMPLEMENTATION

• Location in Senegal (West Arica);

• Senegal has a secular traditional artisanal of fishing (20% of the population involved);

• No label currently in West Africa;

• In the past, attempts to set up eco-label but limited success;

• Poverty environment;

• Then fishing is an absolute survival necessity.

Industrial Fishmongers

HOW "Bëg Ellëg" WORKS

Members (From all sectors and

origins)

"Bëg Ellëg" ASSOCIATION

INDUSTRIAL EXPORTERS

LOCAL COMMITTEES

Co-management activities and monitoring of specifications application (Licences, Canoes registrations fishmongers autorisation, quality control, etc.)

Local Fishermen Local Fishmongers

FRAMEWORK specifications

Scientific Committee

Monitoring

Social Actions Social Actions

"Bëg Ellëg“ CRITERIAS 1. The labeled site or fishing community must be fully

recognized by the government and practice artisanal fishing;

2. Communities’ members agree to use only fishing gear that are authorized by laws and regulations;

3. Commitment of communities to:

• Set up a verifiable traceability system with an Oserver;

• comply with the specifications of the National Fishery Code particularly about fish size and mesh nets;

• not degrade the environment;

• implement an ecosystem management program or co-management plan;

4. Accepting control of these criteria by the Association;

5. Agree to share the benefits of labelisation with other community members including women and child.

"Bëg Ellëg“ VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION PROCESS

1. Applicant's request is sent to "Bëg Ellëg“ Association via the Local Council of Artisanal Fishing (CLPA);

2. Then , the "Bëg Ellëg“ Association send the questionnaire to the the Applicant;

3. The Applicant sends back the filled Questionnaire; 4. The Scientific Committee evaluate the filled questionnaire; 5. Then, make an on-site assessment; 6. And give their opinion: - If minor non-compliance, corrective action proposals are

proposed and followed by a subsequent verification; - In case of rejection for major non-conformity, back to point

2), - - in case of compliance, notification to the President of "Bëg

Ellëg“ Association by the Scientific Committee; 7. Decision and notification to the candidate by the President

of "Bëg Ellëg“ , with all the right to use the label.

CHAIN OF COSTUDY

• The independent Scientific Committee of the Association verifies and controls the application of specifications for labeling and renewal;

• Taking into account the lack of human and financial

resources and the local context, internal controls and respect of Specifications are made, documented and recorded by local fisheries committees;

• The Scientific Committee will annually monitor and verify

compliance with the commitments of fisheries communities;

• In case of non-compliance, the association may suspend

the right to use the label.

THE MAIN CHALLENGES OF ARTISANAL FISHING

• Free access to fishery resources • Generally, no delimitation of fishing zones, multi

fisheries, multi gears, etc. • High level of Illiteracy (rather oral culture) • Failure or lack of accurate data on fish stock

assessments and landings of seafood. • Difficulties to set up a verifiable traceability

system • Cost of Certification • Weakness of surveillance and good governance. • Lack of local market for labeled products

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

• To fish less in a context of economic and social need for survival;

• Unwillingness of some industrial to pay a premium price to fishermen;

• Competition on the same international markets with non-labeled products;

• Lack of enforcement of laws and regulations to protect fishery resources;

• Insufficient human and financial resources of governments to regulate fishery access;

• Family and political pressure on people who wants to enforce laws and regulations.

OPPORTUNITIES • Better awareness of public and private

stakeholders who are facing to scarcity of resources;

• Support and commitment of government and ongoing projects;

• Existence of some good co-management initiatives from fishermen communities themselves;

• "Bëg Ellëg" brings social and economic investments that are discussed inclusively with fishing communities;

• Potential foundation for certification of other labels like Marine Steward Council (MSC);

• Avoid risk of non-tariff barriers for African products

OPPORTUNITES

So "Bëg Ellëg" is an advocacy tool towards:

• other fishing sites not yet labeled;

• other exporters who are not sensitive to the issues of sustainable fisheries;

• public authorities to enforce resolutely sustainable fishing, laws and regulations;

• all fisheries stakeholders, interested in sustainability.

"Bëg Ellëg“ FUNDING SOURCES

• Sales of marketing products

• Lucrative events

• Training programs

• Membership fees

• Legacies and donation

• Etc.

BEG ELLEK INVITATION

"Bëg Ellëg“ is a realistic initiative designed and implemented locally by actors themselves.

Therefore join us, to be more numerous in supporting sustainable fisheries initiative for future African generations.

“Be part of the solution and not part of the problem”

Tomorrow starts now….

THANK YOU !!!

Makhtar THIAM : "Bëg Ellëg" Coordinator

contact@begellek.org

www.begellek.org

Tel: +221 77 639 31 52