3.2.2 Introduction of alternative sources of income
If the income of fishers decreases through fisheries resource management measures, such as fishing efforts or the establishment of marine protected areas, it will be difficult to gain the understanding of fishers and would make it difficult for fishers continue their activities. Governments or donors can provide financial support based on the needs of fishing village residents to reduce the negative impact of the activities on their livelihoods and to ensure the sustainability of the activities. This section describes how this can be accomplished.
27. Implications of introducing alternative sources of income for fisheries resource management activities
When fishing-related activities are chosen as an alternative source of income, there is often a resource person who can support the activities within the fishing village. On the other hand, when incorporating activities outside of the fisheries sector, it may be necessary to secure technician or provide technical guidance that cannot be handled within the fishing village; however, it is possible to generate income and expenditures that do not depend on fishery resources. Regardless of the alternative income-generating activity, when introducing a new activity, it is important that fishers and fisheries stakeholders fully understand that the alternative income activities will be a means of protecting their own livelihoods on the premise that they comply with resource management activities.
- Discuss ideas for alternative income-generating activities
- Select activities for alternative sources of income, and decide on an implementation group and budget
- Develop and implement an activity plan
- Regularly monitor activities and find solutions to problems
Discuss ideas for alternative income-generating activities.
The fisheries resource management organisations, in collaboration with the administrations, organise a workshop with stakeholders, including fishers and processors in the target area, to identify the negative impacts of fisheries resource management activities on fishermen’s livelihoods and discuss how to reduce them. If it is necessary to find alternative sources of income, workshop participants share their ideas.
The alternative income-generating activities that have been introduced in Senegal thus far in conjunction with fisheries management activities are as follows.
⚫︎ Alternative income-generating activities related to the fishing industry include the use of discarded shells such as cymbium shells for the manufacture of fishmeal and road surfacing materials, management and operation of stations providing fuel for fishing boats, and management of shops selling outboard engine parts and fishing gear.
27. Information from the income-generating activity of running a petrol station
The JICA Development Study Project conducted between 2003 and 2006 supported the construction and operation of petrol stations to diversify their livelihoods, create alternative sources of income to finance fisheries resource management activities, and provide incentives for fishers to engage in resource management activities. In one of the project's target localities, the village of Pointe Sarène, the resource management committee operates a petrol station and the proceeds from the project have been used to build a school and kindergarten in the village and to finance the making of octopus pots for spawning. The CLPA and the GIE (economic interest grouping) contribute 50,000 FCFA each year to finance their activities, and this is an example of achieving the objective of the activities. However, in the neighbouring village of Mballing, the activities have stagnated without achieving their objective.
⚫︎ Alternative non-fishing income-generating activities: Poultry farming and vegetable growth
28. Income diversification of fishermen’s households by introducing poultry farming
Poultry farming was introduced as an alternative source of income for fishermen implementing fisheries resource management activities from 2003 to 2006 by the JICA Development Study Project. It continued to generate profits from the sale of poultry meat for two years after the end of this development study. However, the subsequent global outbreak of bird flu, which did not infect the Nianing chickens, made it difficult to sell the products because of the damage caused by rumours. They then switched to producing and selling eggs using the poultry farming techniques they had learned. As they continued their activities, the fishermen put into practice measures to diversify their sources of income and strengthen their family management.
Select activities for alternative sources of income, and decide on an implementation group and budget.
Alternative income-generating activities will be selected by reviewing the proposals made at the workshop considering the profitability of the activities, technical relevance, contribution to resource management activities and fishing communities, and budget required. The management modality, business plan, and income and expenditure prospects of the project to be introduced will be fully discussed. It is also useful to invite people who have implemented similar projects to hear the details. Resource management organisations will organise a workshop with fisheries stakeholders, including fishers and processors, to select group implementing activities and decide on the structure and budget of the activities.
29. Calculating the balance between profits lost during the closed season and profits from joint shipments
In the pilot activity of the JICA Development Study Project, measures to support fishers’ income through alternative income-generating activities, such as the joint shipment of fishery products, were introduced in conjunction with the establishment of closed seasons for octopus and cymbium. A calculation of the balance between the commercial benefits generated from the joint shipment of octopus and cymbium and the benefits lost by fishers owing to the closed seasons showed that the benefits were greater than the benefits lost, which provided the basis for local support for the resource management activities.
Develop and implement an activity plan.
An alternative income generation implementation group will formulate and implement a concrete activity plan, including the identification of responsible people, division of roles, an annual business plan, an income and expenditure plan, and method of allocating the company’s profits. This group will procure the necessary facilities, equipment, and materials and conduct customer surveys and price negotiations for their products. The activity implementation group will calculate the initial working capital in the direction of the resource management organisation. If necessary, the group will check the grace period, repayment period, and penalties for non-payment of bank loans and applies for them.
Where technical training is required for implementing members, central and local government officials will work with other ministries, universities, and other research institutions that can provide training to prepare for the necessary training and the resource management organisation will arrange for the group implementing the activities to receive the necessary technical training in such matters as quality control, operation and maintenance of facilities, accounting, and marketing.
30. Poor project planning leading to joint shipping project failure
In the Saloum Delta, where a shrimp distribution network of fishermen and fishmongers was established, an environmental NGO supported the formation of a shipment group by shrimp fishermen in 2001. The aim was to improve the shrimp distribution system in the Saloum Delta, which was relayed through agents and fishmongers, and to better secure the interests of the fishers by selling the shrimp directly to fish exporters through a joint shipping group. However, the project was unsuccessful because of inadequate handling and transportation of shrimp products and dissatisfaction among shrimp fishers due to the purchase of shrimp of different commercial values at one price.
Regularly monitor activities and find solutions to problems.
Once the project has started, a fisheries resource management organisation will regularly monitor activities and, if problems arise, discuss them with the implementation group and develop measures to overcome them. If necessary, central and local government officials will be consulted and support measures will be put in place.