FAO RFLP Brochure

The Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia (RFLP)

PHILIPPINES VIET NAM CAMBODIA

TIMOR - LESTE

SRI LANKA

INDONESIA

Where does RFLP work?

Cambodia - coastal fishing communities in Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Koh Kong, and Kep provinces.

Indonesia - the Province of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and specifically Kupang, Kota Kupang, Rote Ndao and Alor.

Philippines - Two coastal cities (Dipolog and Dapitan City) and 10 municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte Province, Mindanao Island.

Sri Lanka - The Estuary of Puttalam, Negombo Lagoon and the Chilaw Lagoon on the NW coast.

Timor-Leste - The north coast, (including Atauro Island), the south coast and the Oecussi enclave.

Viet Nam - The three central provinces, namely: Quang Tri, Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue. For more information See www.rflp.org alternatively, contact Steve Needham, Information Officer, Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme Tel: +66 2 697 4183 Mob: +66 85 480 3988 Email steve.needham@fao.org

What does RFLP hope to achieve?

RFLP has six key areas of activity and seeks to create the following: 1. Co-management mechanisms for sustainable utilization of fishery resources RFLP seeks to put in place mechanisms and capacity for joint management of fisheries between the fishers and government authorities.

4. Diversified income opportunities for fisher families Fishers need alternative opportunities in the event of reduced income from fishing. RFLP strengthens existing income generating activities while helping identify and implement alternatives.

2. Measures to improve safety RFLP is implementing measures to improve safety at sea and reduce vulnerability for fishers and other community members.

5. Better access to microfinance services RFLP is facilitating access to microfinance services for fishers, processors and vendors while helping communities better understand savings and credit mechanisms.

3. Improved fishery products and market chains RFLP is addressing the loss of income from fish and fishery products due to poor handling, preservation and processing practices while improving marketing systems.

6. Increased knowledge sharing Lessons learned in the different countries will be pooled together and communicated to participating countries and others in the region.

About the RFLP The Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia (RFLP) is strengthening capacity among participating small-scale fishing communities and their supporting institutions in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, TimorLeste and Viet Nam. By doing so the RFLP seeks to improve the livelihoods of fishers and their families while fostering more sustainable fisheries resources management practices.

The four-year (2009 – 2013), USD 19.55 million RFLP is funded by the Kingdom of Spain and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) working in close collaboration with national authorities in participating countries.

Why are small-scale fisheries

Who are the main beneficiaries?

Although many small-scale fishing communities are poor and vulnerable, it is widely acknowledged that they can make a meaningful contribution to natural resource management, poverty alleviation and food security. There are an estimated 5.6 million small-scale fishers in the countries participating in the RFLP. In addition, millions are employed in other fisheries related jobs such as processing and trading.

RFLP operates in specific areas of participating countries however pilot activities and institutional strengthening will benefit fishers beyond the geographical scope of the programme.

The primary beneficiaries of RFLP are: coastal fishers, processors, traders and their families, their organizations and their communities.

In addition, the project targets government organizations and institutions responsible for the administration, management and development of coastal fisheries at local, district/ province and national levels.

important?

A

commitment to gender The important role women play in the fisheries sector especially in post-harvest and marketing often goes unrecognized.

RFLP therefore works to ensure that both women and men, young and old, will benefit from programme activities.

Special efforts are also devoted to the involvement of women in decision making processes within the sector.