Case 2-16 ‘Being in the same boat’ in the fisheries value chain: case study of strengthening collaboration in the fisheries value chain in Senegal

In resource management measures such as setting closed seasons for target species, export companies, which are positioned downstream from the top of the marine product distribution pyramid, play a major role. This is because producers often face intense pressure from the demand side. At the top of the fisheries distribution pyramid, exporters play an important role in fisheries resource management measures, such as the establishment of closed seasons for target resources. Indeed, all economic operators in the fisheries sector want to profit from their products, but overfishing increases pressure on the available resources, and the deterioration of the resources leads to lower profits for all parties involved. Thus, it should be recognised that all stakeholders involved in the fisheries value chain, from fishers to fish exporters to fishmongers, are in the same boat.

In 2012, while COGEPAS was ongoing, several fisheries exporters, including BLUE FISH, began to express their support for fisheries resource management activities. This led to a call to actively involve fisheries exporters in resource management. In addition, the Directorate of Fisheries Processing Industries (DITP), which supervises fisheries product exporting companies, was asked to actively participate in resource management activities. Indeed, the success of a ban on fishing target resources requires the cooperation of the DITP, which is responsible for issuing health and landing certificates for target species.

The contribution of fish exporting companies to resource management activities consists of not purchasing the targeted fisheries products during the periods of the fishing ban on the one hand, and financially supporting the fisheries resource management activities by fishers on the other. In 2015 and 2016, 12,000 octopus pots for egg-laying were produced and launched into the sea by the fisheries exporters IKA GEL, AFRICA FISH, AMERGE and BLUE FISH. Since the end of COGEPAS in 2013, similar activities have continued annually with the support of other donors and private fishing companies.

The involvement of stakeholders in the fisheries value chain, such as fisheries exporters and the DITP overseeing them, in fisheries resource management activities has led to effective and sustainable resource management activities in Senegal.

Chapter 2 Establishing and strengthening the resource management implementation system

2.5 Enhancing collaboration within the fisheries value chain

Fishing village leaders and government officials should ask fishery companies to share information on the product size and freshness required by the companies, as well as the quality and percentage of raw materials that are ineligible for export, to help fishermen add value to the fisheries products they produce. It is also recommended to consider measures to build a win-win relationship between the companies and the fishermen, such as inviting the two sides’ representatives at the beginning of the closed season and on days of resource proliferation activities (e.g. the day octopus pots for spawning are put in), and introduce them to the media, thereby motivating the cooperating companies by praising their social contributions.

To achieve results from resource management activities, it is essential to work with fishery businesses, such as export companies, who are in the same ‘boat’ of the fisheries value chain. This case can serve as an effective reference for fishermen and fisheries administrative officials to seek cooperation with fisheries businesses in resource management activities.