FISH FOR FOOD SECURITY - STRENGTHENING SOMALI FISHERIES & COASTAL MANAGEMENT ANNUAL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015
EU teams up with Oxfam to boost the Somali fisheries industry
Training workshop in Bosaso for fish inspectors conducted by Oxfam’s technical experts
Why invest in the fisheries industry?
The ultimate goal is to improve livelihoods and increase the contribution of the fisheries sector The EU funded Oxfam Fisheries Project aims to to food security, employment and the economy at strengthen the fisheries sector in Somaliland and large. Puntland by creating a better environment for public and private sector stakeholders to undertake fisheries This programme seeks to contribute to building a activities and promote the overall recovery of the sector. more robust Somali fisheries sector. The national stakeholders are being supported to strengthen The project focuses on capacity-building and supporting the situation for small scale artisanal fishermen to the Ministries of Fisheries & Marine Resources in maximise production and revenues. At community Somaliland and Puntland to improve policies, legislation, level, a more efficient artisanal fisheries sector and institutional structures and processes to support the will help increase the number of people and fisheries sector at national and local levels, alongside businesses involved in the industry. the private sector.
inspection, quality assurance and fish export procedures and regulations. The national staffs of the ministries are on regular on-job trainings, which will carry on throughout the project.
Practical training at the fish market
The project aims to boost the welfare of fishermen and their households as well as that of the wider community through easier access to fish and sea products. It also focuses on building the capacity Training workshop for fish inspectors in Hargesia of government to strike a balance between enabling and regulating the fisheries sector to Training & exposure visit to Uganda ensure sustainable fishing for current and future Ten fisheries national staff attended a two weeks training generations. During the first year of implementation and exposure visit in Uganda. The training was provided in 2014-2015 a number of activities took place: by the Uganda Fisheries Institute and covered a wide range of fisheries related courses such as fisheries Formalizing partnership with Ministries management, fish processing and quality control and and partners financial management. Memoranda of understanding were signed with ministries in both Puntland and Somaliland and local implementing partners – HAVOYOCO and KAALO - to assign roles and responsibilities. Inception workshops and project launch events took place on June 2014 in both Puntland and Somaliland.
Study and exposure visit of the national staff to Uganda Fisheries Institute
Fish Inspection, Quality Assurance and Export Certification quality assurance (FIQAEC) system set-up The technical experts in collaboration with the Ministries’ staff have developed a Fish Inspection, Quality Assurance and Export Certification (FIQAEC) system to govern fish handling, transportation, industrial processing, storage and export of fish and fisheries products. Project launch in Garowe with representation from the EU, ministry, Oxfam & KAALO
Technical expertise recruited
Fisheries technical experts have been recruited and deployed to the ministry offices in Hargeisa and Bosaso to train and mentor ministry staff on fisheries management and development aspects as stipulated in the project. This involves fish
The experts first conducted baseline assessments that informed the development of the quality system. The FIQAEC system comprises of:• Organizational functions of competent authority (CA) to lead the sector, • Functions of fish inspectors, requirements for official control and monitoring of fish production conditions, • Health conditions for fishing boats, landing sites, fish
• • •
markets & factories, Health conditions for frozen, dried and smoked fish and fishery products, Guidelines for application of seafood, sanitation standards, operating practices (GMPs); and Hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) in fish processing establishments, functions of fish quality control laboratories and fish export certification procedures and requirements etc.
Success story: Mohamed Ali’s story My name is Mohamed Ali Muse, I am the IT database national staff of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Puntland. Thanks to the EU and Oxfam Project I now have continuous technical support that enables me to better perform in my daily duties at the ministry. I’m really motivated and intend to stay long in this role. The project provided trainings, office equipment and financially support to me which has tremendously improved my life and daily performance. My job contributes to the development of a database and licensing system for the ministry which will
FIQAEC workshop for national staff in Bosaso
Validation of the FIQAEC system with national stakeholders
go along way in contributing to the growth of the wider fisheries sector in Puntland.
Awareness training on the FIQAEC System has been undertaken for top officials (Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Director-Generals, Heads of Departments, and Regional Coordinators) of the ministries of fisheries by technical experts in order to make them more aware of the benefits of implementing the system.
A total of 70 ministry staff have been trained on fish inspection, quality assurance and export certification by the Oxfam technical experts from both the Ministries of Fisheries of Puntland and Somaliland. A capacity building consultant was hired in March 2015 to conduct capacity assessments for both ministries that were completed and the findings presented to the top management of the ministries for further action. The assessment reports capture the particular structural capacity needs and gaps that exist in the ministries and offers concrete recommendations
EU and Oxfam’s commitment to building the fisheries sector EU and Oxfam are committed to expanding this unique program to enhance and sustain Somali artisanal fisheries production, including processing and trade, and the related coastal management. Over the long term, this program will serve to build the resilience of local communities.
Mohamed Ali