Case 3-20 Enhancing sustainability by introducing alternative income sources (1): case study of introducing fuel station management

diversification of livelihoods, creation of alternative sources of income, fuel stations, Pointe Sarène and Mballing

The JICA fisheries resource management assessment and planning study conducted between 2003 and 2006 supported the construction of a petrol station at two locations in the villages of Pointe Sarène and Mballing on Petite-Côte. The aim was to diversify livelihoods and create alternative sources of income to finance fisheries resource management activities and provide incentives for fishers to engage in resource management activities. These petrol stations were operated and managed by the village fisheries resource management committees. This case study presents the outline, results and lessons learned from the trial.

The village petrol station operated by the fisheries resource management committee since 2005 in the village of Pointe Sarène was operating in 2017, the year of the survey, under the same management structure as at the start of the project. Initially, only 4,000 litres were supplied by the oil company for a tank capacity of 15,000 litres, but by 2017 the oil company could fill a full tank at once. This shows the confidence of the oil company based on the previous management performance of the fisheries resource management committee. The profit gained from this income-generating activity was used to build a school and kindergarten in the village, to buy octopus pots for egg-laying, and to pay XAF 50,000 each year to the CLPA and the GIE to finance their activities.

In Pointe Sarène, the introduction of income-generating activities proved to be an effective means of mitigating resistance to the introduction of fisheries resource management activities, which had a negative impact on the income of the fishers, and simultaneously served to strengthen the economic base of the resource management activities, demonstrating that it could be an approach to alleviate fishing pressure. In contrast, the village of Mballing, which began operating a petrol station at the same time, ceased operational management after the completion of the development study. 

The operation and management of the petrol station, which was introduced in the JICA study on fisheries resource assessment and management planning in order to obtain funds for fisheries resource management activities and provide incentives for fisheries resource management activities, was an example of achieving its objectives in the village of Pointe Sarène.

Chapter 3 Implementation of resource management measures

3.2 Measures to strengthen the sustainability of resource management

If fishermen’s income is reduced owing to resource management measures such as limiting fishing effort or establishing marine protected areas, it will be difficult to obtain fishermen’s understanding and continue resource management activities. It is recommended that the government or donor agencies consider providing some financial support based on the needs of residents of fishing communities to reduce the negative impact of resource management activities on fishing household management and ensure the sustainability of resource management activities.

This case is an effective reference for introducing an alternative income source to reduce the negative impact of fisheries resource management activities on fishing household management and encouraging voluntary participation by fishermen.