Rehabilitation of the banks of the mouth of Lake Togo
Structure built in the ocean to protect the city of Aného.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Bank of the lagoon and rehabilitated road.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Southern embankment in the city of Aného. The stabilized bank enables the resumption of fishing activities.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Embankment in the city of Aného.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Phosphate mud in Kpémé.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Primary school threatened by erosion in the village of Agbodrafo.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Beach erosion before construction work.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Abandoned house in the city of Aného.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Several abandoned houses in an area subject to erosion.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Proposition for a protection plan.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Resource extraction.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Unprotected sectors in Baguida.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Rehabilitated mangroves.
Pessièzoum Adjoussi
Reinforcement of embankments of the mouth of Lake Togo: construction of a rocky structure, paving of the street and creation of a parking area.
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Contribution à l’amélioration de la résilience à l‘érosion côtière au Togo’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Contribution à l’amélioration de la résilience à l‘érosion côtière au Togo’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.
Sander den Haring
Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.
Sander den Haring
Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.
Sander den Haring
Distribution of materials on the reef environment to snorkel operators.
Sander den Haring
To facilitate the interpretive efforts reaching the snorkeling clients a set of materials was designed and created to be used by the snorkel operators. This set of materials included: a 20-sided, A3, waterproof flip chart depicting organized information on the reef environment, a double sided water proof marine life identification slate, a salesman folder (used to sell excursions in a more organized and professional manner), flags used to brand the boats that undertook the training and deliver interpretive efforts, a uniform branded with the workshop logo and sign boards placed along the beach explaining what the branded logo stands for (so clients can choose their boats accordingly) and also depicting the newly developed code of conduct all boats will adhere to. This code of conduct was developed during the workshop in one of the group discussions.
Available funding for material production and free distribution of materials.
It is important to create easy to use and clear materials that any of the target audience (in this case coastal snorkel boat operators) can use. Apart from just designing these materials, it is essential that training be included in how to use these materials. This offers the target audience an opportunity to ask questions about the materials or overcome their fears of not understanding what each material is used for.
The training session described above was essential in making the target audience more comfortable with the materials. Some of the participants who were too shy during the training to make use of this practice session were not seen using the materials after the workshop. Showing the target audience how easy it is to use these materials is very important.
Participatory Market System Development workshop, Pemba
Mwambao
Ali Thani presenting at a Participatory Market System Development workshop, Pemba
Mwambao
Octopus export companies agent showing an example of premium catch at Participatory Market System Development workshop, Pemba
Mwambao
This entails the collection of information through focus groups and interviews with fishers and buyers to understand the octopus fishery, number of buyers, prices, processing, export destination and decision-making criteria, in particular whether a fisher is ‘locked’ into a relationship with a buyer. The interviews use the value chain questions included in the STEP survey designed by E. O’Neill of Stockholm Resilience Center. Interviews and focus groups were held with octopus, sea cucumber and cowrie collectors and buyers and seaweed growers. Information has been gathered as to export markets and collector/buyer relationships. The supply chain for octopus has been elaborated, key players identified and links established. Buying price fluctuation has been noted and reasons explored. This information is invaluable when designing an intervention to add value to the fishery or when looking at the viability of new market buyers or destinations. This work in Pemba has been followed up with 'participatory market system development' workshops (supported by FFI) with all stakeholders. This resulted in commitment from all players to play their part in supporting the intervention, including buyers agreeing to negotiate a set price with fisher committees before 'opening day'.
Trust between the interviewee and the interviewer leading to open sharing of information
Availability of project staff to carry out interviews in conjunction with fisheries officers
Availability of financial resources to cover working times of those involved
Prior information (i.e. stock assessments if possible) on species vulnerability for a particular fishery
Supportive buyers
Some export markets have continued for many years without any consideration of demands at destination and whether value can be added at the place of origin. Possibilities for processing and marketing potential however must be carefully assessed, e.g. by looking at the sustainability of current levels of harvesting.
Credit facilities and trust appear to be the main motivating factors for fishers to stay with a particular buyer.
Main buyers are not as ‘irreplaceable’ as supposed and alternative market options were revealed, as well as alternative processing options i.e. drying octopus to transport to local markets when export buyers were not purchasing (Pemba). Maintaining relationships with supportive buyers however is important where possible.
There is apparently no local incentive to fish larger octopus although some export markets are thought to pay a higher price for these individuals.
Training the fisher committee in Kisiwa Panza, Pemba
Mwambao
Management planning in Kukuu, Pemba
Mwambao
Kukuu Village Fisher Committee with their management plan
Mwambao
Collaborative management explores opportunities within current fishery regulations and laws and provides an opportunity to make improvements in the management of octopus and other species fisheries. Challenges lie both in lack of capacity of Village Fisheries Committees but also the ability at Fisheries Department level to hand over management responsibilities to these committees. Officers are often unfamiliar with the principles of collaborative management and how it can improve fisheries management locally and assist the Department in discharging their responsibilities e.g. patrolling, local closures etc. Project leaders have involved Fisheries Department officers in all trainings of Village Fisheries Committees and ensured regular feedback to the Department's HQ. A manual has been compiled to assist Department officers and to guide Village Fisheries Committees. It includes sections on: · Standard operation procedures for Village Fisheries Committees · Mechanism for handling conflicts · Process for by-law formulation · Guidelines for record keeping · Strategy for self financing · Communication strategy
Training modules available
Supporting NGO/trainer with required skills and resources
Community interest and will
Conducive relationship with Department of Fisheries officers
Enabling legislation
A manual for Village Fishery Committee operation procedures prepared in the local language
Where collaborative management for fisheries is new, it is imperative that fisheries authorities do not feel threatened by the process and fully understand the benefits. It is thus important that the concerned fisheries officers take part in any training and that Department HQ staff are kept fully informed of the process.
Sensitive facilitation during trainings is important
Ongoing support/training for Village Fisheries Committees for a period ideally of not less than two years is desirable in order to build capacity and to assist with ongoing challenges
During development of local by-laws it is important that suggested fines/penalties are implementable
Roles and responsibilities of committee members should be clearly understood to aid in the election of the most appropriate persons to key positions
Opportunities for committee self-financing should be explored in collaboration with the fisheries authorities, including opportunities for revenue collection
Building capacity for conflict resolution is very important especially in a previously open access fishery
Participatory video for documentation and lesson sharing
Community members engrossed in a participatory video workshop
Mwambao
Participatory video workshop
Mwambao
Participatory video (PV) is used to explore octopus management in depth, document success, challenges or traditional knowledge of the octopus fishery; and monitor changes in attitude, knowledge or yield over time. Trainees, many of whom have never handled film-making equipment, are trained in the basic techniques; · Trainees decide the content of the film and work together to design the storyboard; · Trainees decide who and where to interview and all film is reviewed and discussed daily on return; · Editing is time-restricted (2-3 days) and is guided by a ‘paper edit’ carried out with trainees/community members. Having left the film location, subsequent editing is not carried out (apart from subtitling) so the film remains as reviewed by trainees/village communities. The resulting film is a visual output that is used to share lessons and experiences about octopus management and that builds on the oral traditions of local fishing communities in a language and terminology that is accessible to them. The aim is not to produce perfect cinematography but to produce a community product and communicate octopus management issues and options to a wider groups of stakeholders including new villages. This only needs repeating in one or two communities but is useful in the piloting period.
Availability of technical equipment to make community films and to show them
Trainees and trainers available for a period of at least 12 days
Commitment to the whole process from the team of trainees
Facilitators who are trained in the process and techniques of filming and editing
Financial resources to cover time-input of participants
Clear terms of engagement and full consent for filming
Consent from all participants to allow the organization and the community to use the film freely in its current form
PV is an extremely powerful tool for getting ‘beneath the skin’ of an issue PV imparts many skills to the community
PV builds trust and understanding between facilitators and trainees
If possible, it is preferable for trainees to have long-term access to simple film equipment or smartphones for continued use and recording of lessons
PV requires a committed and skilled team of facilitators but they do not need to be trained film-makers or photographers
Fishers from target communities visit other communities already implementing temporary fishery closures or other marine management strategies. By learning directly from the real experiences of fishers from similar backgrounds to themselves, target communities realise that this is something that they can adapt to their own contexts. Experienced communities often recount not only the benefits but also the challenges that they have faced in implementing community management and thus allow new communities to prepare for, or even avoid these challenges themselves.
- Funding to support a fisher-fisher exchange - An initial management interest in the visiting/target community - Key fishers representatives / respected spokespeople from visiting communities to lead discussions in their home communities - An honest and supportive hosting community with relevant experience - Planned follow up after the exchange
Follow up after a peer exchange trip is crucial. The supporting organization must ensure that participants have understood key messages from the host community, synthesized what they’ve learned and are comfortable leading discussions in their home communities. Participants in the exchange trip should be community members who are legitimate in the eyes of fishers (i.e. fishers themselves) and respected. It is also helpful to have participants who are known as being sceptical and asking difficult questions –these types of people will often be the hardest to convince and the first to oppose the establishment of a closure, so having them in support of the closure from the start is a big advantage.
