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