Water resources policy and administrative management

1. Background St. Marks Fisher folk and Tourism Cooperative Society Ltd, referred to as the Coop was reconstituted in 2008 from the old St. Marks Fisheries Cooperative which had been inactive for some time. A tourism objective was added to the constitution to exploit tourism opportunities in the area. The Cooperative s registration number is 76/82 and it s serves the geographic area of Point Michel, Soufriere, Gallion and Scott s Head. Its administrative office is based in Scott s Head. The Coop is managed by a Board of Directors (see Appendix I for details) comprising four officers and three members and holds monthly meetings of the Board and on average two meetings of the membership including an AGM. Over the past three years the Coop has gone through some difficult times (loss of key members, under resourcing, lack of commitment by the authorities) but is now at a stage to increase its activities. This has come about by the cohesiveness of its Board of Directors, the completion of an office by the customization of a 40 feet container and the retailing of machine oil and gasoline from Petro Caribe, an initiative of the government of Dominica. Through this project the cooperative is expected to grow with increased capacity, new skills and wider participation and networking. 2. Justification The overarching theme is the maintenance of livelihoods and increasing employment. The St. Marks area by way of registered fishermen, number of boats and fishing equipment is one of the largest fishing areas in Dominica, however, when viewed against published figures (2011 - Marigot 287,304 lbs, Portsmouth 257,743 lbs, Scott s Head 171,694,overall 1,465,676 lbs) the area is under performing in terms of fish landings . It ranks behind Marigot and Portsmouth. Fishers in the Marigot area depend largely on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) with ready access to at least eight FADs. Fishers in St.Marks have ready access to about two FADs. The project comprises a number of sub projects centered on the construction and deployment of FADs. Towards this end five FADs will be constructed and deployed. It is envisaged this will lead to an increase in the frequency of fishers going to sea because of the expectation of assured catches. Increasing fish catch could potentially lead to periodic over supply on the market with the knock on effect of price deflation and a reduction of fishers going to sea. The sub project of market development would address the potential increase catch in the local market and in conjunction with the Fisheries Division and NAFCOOP examine the potential for the export of fish. Another component of market development would be the construction and deployment of a prototype smoker for fish smoking such as marlin and trigger fish which are ideal for that purpose. The sub project of acquiring a fully equipped boat powered by an environmentally friendly 4-stroke engine would serve the dual purpose of creating employment by deploying non-boat owning fishers whilst being a source of income to the Co-op. The motor engine deployed would be environmentally friendlier in comparison to the 2-stroke engine in common use and would also consume less fuel. This project will be implemented in a very strategic protected area, the Soufriere Scott s Head Marine Reserve (SSMR). The SSMR was established under the Fisheries Act #11 of 1987 and by the statutory rules and orders (SRO) #18 of 1998. The Local Area Management Authority (LAMA) was established under SRO#17 of 1998. As a legal authority it is made up of various stakeholders relating to the enterprise, fishermen, the Village Council, Dominica Water Sport Association and the Fisheries Division and Cost Guard are ex officio members. The St Mark s Co-operative will take a very proactive approach to participate fully in LAMA. The project will also be implemented within the legal authority s framework, ensuring that it contributes to enhancing the environment and add value to the SSMR. Throughout the project finalization and implementation, the Cooperative will work closely with partners to build on existing, and develop new linkages and networks with major stakeholders to maximize support and success. The area is also a popular tourist destination with a sulphur spring, Segment One of the Witukubuli National Trail, Scott s Head Beach and a marine reserve with world class snorkeling sites. One put off for visitors is unsightly rubbish dumps and a sub project would address this matter. In addition, the locker room complex in Scott s Head was constructed to provide vendor space for about ten vendor arcades. Functional vendor arcades would increase income amongst a disadvantaged section, young women. The vendor arcades are incomplete and funding would be required to make them functional. 3. Objectives The objectives of the project are as follows: 1. To improve the capacity, effectiveness and financial base of the Co-operative. 2. Mitigating against climate change by enhancing food security 3. To improve working practices and livelihoods of fisher folk and others. 4. To work as a participating member organization with umbrella organizations of NAFCOOP and LAMA. 5. To work collaboratively with stakeholders of the community of Soufriere/Scott s Head such as the Village Council, St. Marks Improvement Committee, boat owners, fisher folk and tour operators, to ensure increased economic activity and protection of the environment. 6. To work collaboratively with other stakeholders

Dominica