Progress report for
Research and capacity development to support livelihood and food security and safety in African Coastal Communities
Achievement at a glance
Halfway through the set implementation period about half of the promised resources have been allocated and half of the defined deliverables completed. Overall the pledge can therefore be said to be on schedule. However, while the first 2-3 years of implementation have been satisfactorily defined and implemented there is a need to better define the latter 2-3 years.The pledge has so far been divided into three separate sub-projects, achievement for each ...
Sub-project one - Improving fish smoking techniques and management within coastal communities in Liberia and Sierra Leone: After two years of operation, with USD 410,000 spent the sub-project is approximately 2/3 completed. A fish smoking system has been designed and installed (1 out of 2 planned); in-country workshop conducted (1 out of 2); fellowships awarded (5 out of 8).
Sub-project two - Improving fisheries data analyses for sustainable use of the resource in Sierra Leone and Liberia: After two years of operation, with USD 230,000 spent, the sub-project is approximately 2/3 completed. A regional workshop has been held (1 out of 1-2 planned); in-country workshops conducted (2 out of 2-4); fellowships awarded (6 out of 10).
Sub-project three - Promote better handling of fish by introducing sensory evaluation schemes in Tanzania fisheries: After one year of operation, with USD 70,000 spent, the sub-project is by and large completed. A preparatory workshop, a pre-trial and a training workshop have all been conducted and one fellowship awarded (out of 1-2).
Challenges faced in implementation
Major challenges for each constituent project ...Sub-project one - Improving fish smoking techniques and management within coastal communities in Liberia and Sierra Leone: Fragile in-country infrastructure that requires considerable logistical /managerial support to deal with money transfers, accountability, supervision and so on.
Sub-project two - Improving fisheries data analyses for sustainable use of the resource in Sierra Leone and Liberia: Same as for sub-project one. Additionally, combatting IUU may be a somewhat politically sensitive issue anywhere. It is still by no means clear how effective this kind of external aid cooperation can be in that context.
Sub-project three - Promote better handling of fish by introducing sensory evaluation schemes
in Tanzania fisheries: Uncertainties regarding effective adoption of the resultant QIM sensory evaluation schemes into the national regulation on fish handling and monitoring.
Beneficiaries
Main Beneficiaries for each constituent project ...
Sub-project one - Improving fish smoking techniques and management within coastal communities in Liberia and Sierra Leone: In Sierra Leone - Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources, supported fellows and the Tombo fishing community, especially women fish producers. In Liberia - National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority and supported fellows.
Sub-project two - Improving fisheries data analyses for sustainable use of the resource in Sierra Leone and Liberia: Fishing monitoring centers in the West-African Region, fellows supported, experts trained and, by extension, local fishing communities (protected against external encroachment).
Sub-project three - Promote better handling of fish by introducing sensory evaluation schemes in Tanzania fisheries: Tanzania, fishing communities in Kigoma around Lake Tanganyika, Department of Fisheries, TAFIRI.
Actions
Specific actions for each constituent project ...Sub-project one - Improving fish smoking techniques and management within coastal communities in Liberia and Sierra Leone: Pilot oven system has been set up in Tombo Sierra Leone. One in-country training of trainers workshop has been conducted in Tombo with a total participation of 50 local fish processors and 10 fisheries officers. Five local experts have received rigorous training in Iceland in related fields of technology and management.
 
Sub-project two - Improving fisheries data analyses for sustainable use of the resource in Sierra Leone and Liberia: A critical mass of specialists from the West Africa region has been trained, enhancing regional capacity to combat IUU and ensure local fishermen safety. Three workshops have been conducted, one regional (Freetown) and two in-country (Freetown and Monrovia). Six local experts have received rigorous training in Iceland in related fields of data management /analyses and fisheries policies (four from Liberia and two from Sierra Leone).
Sub-project three - Promote better handling of fish by introducing sensory evaluation schemes in Tanzania fisheries: QIM schemes for two fish species, Dagaa and Mgebuka, are available for adoption into national regulation on fish handling and monitoring.