The current project carries out its activities in 10 communities in Cacheu, focusing on the fishery, increasing production and nutrition, and introducing local processing and marketing techniques in an organised manner.
The project will, in cooperation with the fishery associations, find ways to get cheaper equipment to the fishermen and improve the processing of the fish.
The current projects started in May 2022 and will end in December 2022.
The project has created 16 clubs of 60 people each in the four sectors of the Cacheu region, which are Canchungo, Caió, Calequisse and Cacheu. The project has 48 Focal points, and 80 Step up fishermen, who guarantee the sustainability of the project when the implementation period expires. Furthermore, the project worked with Associations practising blue Economy Activities. It has trained 60 women in the traditional processing of fish and water products and 60 Women/ Youth in Entrepreneurship of the blue economy. In addition, different campaigns on aquatic garbage management and marine potential have taken place, and the project has identified and trained the established fish processing centres, which improved the fisher's economies.
The region has several communities along the coast with economic activities related to the Ocean, like fishery, oyster harvest etc. The activities are mainly artisanal fishing, led by men and women. In contrast, mollusc harvesting, fish processing and salt production, sold locally or sent to the capital, are done mainly by women.
Women selling the fish are involved in fish processing on a small scale and without an organised marketing structure to enter national and sub-regional value chains. Fish processing is carried out through smoking, drying, and salting traditionally, on a small scale, without industrialisation.
Traditional fish processing does not always comply with quality procedures, which calls into question the integrity of the product on the market, and it can put public health at risk, so it is essential to define quality standards. However, the project has reinforced the training on fish processing and placing the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system for quality management.
The education level in Cacheu is not higher than the national average, and the percentage of young adults (15-34 years old) is higher than the national average, highlighting the low school enrolment rate and, consequently, the low literacy rates. Therefore, the project adapted the UNESCO Ocean literacy manual to develop the ocean literacy education program for adults and youth.
The project is supported by UNDP and Humana People to People partners