Environmental policy and administrative management

Context: Degradation of Kilombero river ecosystem has four forms: (1) Unsustainable fishing through the use of prohibited fishing nets (2) Pollution of river waters through mainly land based sources (3) Continuous siltation due to unprotected river banks (4) Excessive tree cutting for fish smoking. This project, which is formulated by fishermen and fisherwomen intends to address these problems through training and demonstration action with the view to reversing the trend of degradation of the river ecosystem. About the proponent: Kivukoni Wavuvi SACCOS Group is a Savings and Credit Society which is owned and managed by grassroots fishermen and women. It is a financial instrument, which fishermen use to raise capital for their business through savings. Total membership is 60. 35 women and 25 men. However, considering other people who work with family members and cross section of customers, the project counts a constituency of 15,000. The SACOSS has been a nucleus of disseminating knowledge on how to mainstream environment issues in their fishing work by using their own meager resources. This project will strengthen and expand their efforts. Project Objective: To promote conservation of Kilombero river ecosystem through wider adoption of sustainable fishing practices, fuel efficient fish smoking technologies and protection of river banks.

Tanzania