Case 2-17 Case study of the cooperation of the president of BLUE FISH, Senegal, in resource management activities

‘BLUE FISH is a company that buys octopus, cuttlefish (sepia esculenta), girdle, sole, flounder, horse mackerel and other fisheries products from artisanal fishers from Saint-Louis to Ziguinchor and exports them to such countries as Spain, Italy, and China. The transaction volume in 2016 was 4,850 metric tons. The company endorsed PROCOVAL’s objective for achieving sustainable fisheries resource management by safeguarding the interests of artisanal fishers through the added value of their products and cooperated in fisheries resource management activities on the ground.

As part of the cooperation with PROCOVAL’s activities, BLUE FISH stopped buying octopus during the biological rest and provided funds for the production of octopus pots as a corporate social responsibility. The company agreed to PROCOVAL’s proposal to keep each fish fresh using the polythene bag and provided the polythene bags to artisanal fishers in Joal, Nianing, Pointe Sarène, Yoff and Soumbédioune. In Ngaparou, it covered the electricity bill for a landing facility built with JICA support.

These fisheries resource management activities changed the mindset of the artisanal fishers. Instead of beating octopus to death with sticks on board, they started putting them in polythene bags one by one and landing them alive. The quality has improved remarkably. It is important that private fishing companies, artisanal fishers and administrations cooperate with each other. The fisheries resource co-management has brought us (1) good quality fisheries products and (2) the sustainable production of fisheries products.’

The PROCOVAL project has established collaborative relationships for fisheries resource management activities with several private fishing companies. Among these, BLUE FISH values its collaborative relationship which has resulted in (1) good quality fisheries products and (2) the sustainable production of fisheries products. A win-win relationship was established in resource management activities.

Chapter 2 Establishing and strengthening the resource management implementation system

2.5 Enhancing collaboration within the fisheries value chain

After understanding BLUE FISH’s situation, fishing village leaders and government officials may cooperate with the fisheries company, such as not purchasing target fisheries during the closed season. They may also request financial cooperation from other fisheries companies for activities that are considered effective for the recovery and proliferation of the target fishery resources (such as the introduction of spawning fish reefs and habitat conservation).

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.