Bio-diversity

The proposed action is concerned with a semi-industrialised outer lagoon fishing project. 20 dedicated and committed artisanal fishermen grouped under the Innovative Fishermen Association (IFA), a registered association from Grand Riviere Sud Est (GRSE) village, have decided to embark on this challenging project as beneficiaries. This project is in line with government policy to encourage artisanal fishermen to explore offshore capture fisheries, which should provide them major economic benefits. Relocating fishing efforts to offshore areas should be translated through financial assistance and capacity building to artisanal fishermen as vulnerable group. The action would consist of constructing a fully equipped fiberglass medium-sized fishing boat of 15.24 M in length and 4.57 M in width for chilled fish fishery. It will also cover the first four fishing outings operational expenses during the first two months. It is expected that after first two months, the project would be generating sufficient revenues to cover subsequent operational expenses. The action will include some major activities namely the construction the fishing boat, the purchasing and installation of engines/propellers and marine equipment, the capacity building of the target group and four fishing outings. The whole action would be covered over a period of 14 months. Fishing vessel will be operating on the St Brandon, Albatross and Hawkins banks, which are within the 1.9-km2 Mauritius Marine economic zones. The Mouvement Pour L Autosuffisance Alimentaire (MAA), an Agricultural and Developmental registered NGO would be responsible for the implementation of the action for the beneficiaries /artisanal fishermen of Innovative Fishermen Association. The fishing vessel would be constructed by Carpenen Ltd, a pioneer in the construction of medium-sized outer lagoon vessels. It would be equipped with freezing and chilled chambers to preserve fish in chilled condition for marketing at landing. It would be run by two Ashok Leyland Diesel Marine engines, the ALM 402 106HP/2000 RPM engine to be purchased though the Ashok Leyland Territory Manager (IMK) C/o Leal, Pailles. Marine equipment such as Marine GPS, Fishing Vessel tractor- LCD Radar and the Furuno Echo Sounder would be purchased from Marine Radio Sales and Service Ltd. Installation of engines and Marine equipment would be under the close guidance of the Ashok Leyland engineer and Marine Radio Sales Service Ltd respectively. Capacity Building is an important component of the action. Beneficiaries would have further training at sea by the Fisheries Training and Extension Centre (FITEC). The training will help beneficiaries to foster their practical knowledge and skills in some key specific areas such as the engine maintenance, the manipulation of the marine communication equipment (radar, radio echo-sounder, GPS), the long-line fishing technique, and fish preservation and handling. Capacity building of beneficiaries in Project Management and Participatory monitoring and Evaluation (PME) would be provided by MAA staff through workshops and monthly meetings. Special focus will be laid on financial management and rules and regulations governing the sound management of the project. The GRSE Innovative fishing project management committee comprising of the main stakeholders would be set up to monitor the ongoing fishing activities and would replace the Project implementation committee (PIC) set up at the outset of the project to implement and monitor the action. Moreover a Secretary -Accountant will be recruited in the second term of the first year to perform administrative and financial duties and to assist in marketing. Artisanal fishing in Mauritius is characterized by a strong dispersion of local fishermen around the coast of the island and they continue to remain as one of the most vulnerable groups in Mauritius in spite of the development in the fishing sector. They have always remained compliant to their poor economic status which many of them perceive as a matter of destiny. Exploited by intermediates for decades, most of them have not really gained the ownership of their business to become free entrepreneurs. On the other hand Government policies in the past and today has always encouraged them to go for offshore and bank fishery, but never really sort out the critical issue of financial assistance nor did they feel any need to set up close follow-up system to help them to implement such project. Most of the very few artisanal fishermen who tried the experience in the past failed in their offshore projects due to management problems. However the recent massive grouping of artisanal fishermen into a trade union is a positive sign and they have sent the red signal to the authorities to save them from their bleak destiny in lagoon fishing. A comprehensive strategy to relocate them offshore is needed to replace the piecemeal government approach. The average monthly revenue of the artisanal fishermen is around 5500 rupees, which is below the poverty line based on family income of 7000 rupees. The artisanal fisherman fishing days is around 200-days/ yr and has to remain ashore for the remaining days of the year because of bad weather. His frail embarkation is the main limiting factor restraining him from fishing safely throughout the year. However subsidies given to fishermen through compensation allowance for bad weather could gradually be invested in artisanal fishermen bank projects a

Mauritius