Community Engagements On Education On Proper Fish Handling And Management As Well As Bad Fishing Practices

The FAO as part of its broader objective of promoting quality and healthy consumption through the best practices of production of good fisheries products supported step- down community engagements for fisher folks. The sustainable management of fisheries is crucial to ensure the long-term viability of aquatic ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on fisheries worldwide. In this report, we outline a comprehensive program aimed at educating fisher folks on proper fish handling and management practices while addressing and discouraging bad fishing practices. The initiative seeks to enhance the sustainability of fishing activities, promote responsible fishing, and preserve marine bio diversity. This engagement was done through the zonal fisheries officers and the officers of the Department of Co-operatives within the selected districts. A total of ninety-nine (99) fishers benefitted from the trainings. The details are as follows:

The engagements were organized between 29^th November 2022 and 7^th December 2022. The engagements started at exactly 9:00 am each day and ended at around 12:00pm. The officers from the department of co-operatives and the Fisheries Commission facilitated the engagements.

Participants were taken through the SSF guidelines and best practices videos and educated fisher folks on proper fish handling and management as well as bad fishing practices after which there were questions and answers and discussions.

Also, there was a registration form to update database on some fisherfolks and fish vessels whose names were not captured in the list. The groups were also trained on cooperative formation and development, bookkeeping as well as co-operative financial management.

The training held on the 3^rd December, 2022 was graced with the presence of the Regional Director and a Deputy Registrar of Department of Co-operatives to provide technical support and further deepen the understanding of participants on the group formation and formalization.

Issues and concerns raised

Some of the concerns raised by the members included the following;

• Failed assurances by NGOs and other stakeholders to form groups for assistance which usually turn to be disappointments,
• the need for some form of insurance from government on their job,
• the need for regular hygienic sensitization,
• Some refreshments at the training from the facilitators for their long stay among a few others.
• Deposition of pure water and any other plastic rubbers in the sea during fishing.
• Open defecation at the shore and at high seas during fishing.
• Long period of time spent at sea by fishermen result the fish to go bad hence low value addition to processors and fishermen due to the high expenses on a trip to sea.
• Some participants were having change of mind to join association for any capacity building training to minimize illegalities.
• Consistence education and sensitization should be done for good sustainability by fisheries commission and NGOs.
• Members don’t attend meetings and don’t pay monthly dues as well.
• Fishers also said the continuous showing of the best practices videos and the SSF guidelines will make an impact to change behavior.
• A task force should be formed for the SSF guidelines to be implemented.