The Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia (RFLP) set out to strengthen capacity among participating small-scale fishing communities and their supporting institutions in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam. The four-year (2009 – 2013) RFLP was funded by the Kingdom of Spain and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

1. The Regional Fisheries
Livelihoods Programme:
results and achievements

2. RFLP sought to improve the livelihoods
and reduce vulnerability of small-scale
fishers and their families.

3. It also helped foster more sustainable
resource management practices.

4. Sri Lanka
Cambodia
Viet Nam
Philippines
Timor-Leste
Indonesia
The programme took place in
six countries.

5. It was funded by the
Kingdom of Spain and
implemented by the
Food and Agriculture
Organization of the
United Nations.

6. Capacity building was at the
heart of RFLP.

7. In all some 35,500 fishers, family
members and government staff took part
in over 1,150 capacity building activities.

8. This included community members
(who were mainly women).

9. Government staff

10. As well as fishers
themselves

11. All RFLP activities sought to provide
practical skills and tangible benefits to
those who participated.

12. RFLP undertook activities in six main
thematic areas.
TRANSITION SLIDE
1. Co-management of marine resources

13. The first was the co-management of marine resources

14. The sharing of management
responsibility and authority between local
communities and the government over
fisheries resources can play a major role
in their improvement.

15. RFLP therefore sought to introduce or
reinforce co-management mechanisms
through a number of means.

16. In all 65 various co-management
mechanisms or bodies were
introduced or reinforced

17. For example, in Viet Nam the first
ever Fisheries Associations were
formed in Quang Nam and Quang Tri
provinces.

18. In Sri Lanka legislation was
changed, Fisheries
Management Committees
formed and the eco-systems
approach to fisheries
management introduced.

19. Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management
Councils were formed or reactivated in the
Philippines.

20. Innovative Village Regulations were
introduced in Indonesia as a basis for
marine resource management.

21. Meanwhile, in Timor-Leste a traditional
Tara Bandu resource management
mechanism was documented for the
first time.

22. Over 40 resource management
plans were developed and
elements implemented.

23. In Cambodia 15 Community Fisheries
Area Management Plans were
developed.

24. In Viet Nam Commune resource
management plans were put in place.

25. Coastal and Fisheries Resource
Management Plans were
developed in the Philippines.

26. Fisheries and Mangrove Management Plans were devised
for Negombo, Chilaw and Puttalam lagoons in Sri Lanka.

27. Demarcation of community fishing
areas took place, for example as here in
Cambodia.
The resource management plans were
implemented in a variety of ways

28. In Cambodia anti-trawling devices have
also been deployed.

29. And community-patrolling capacity
increased.

30. Patrol boats were also provided in the
Philippines.

31. As well as in Viet Nam.

32. Illegal nets have been confiscated and
instances of illegal fishing have decreased
in Cambodia.
Enhancing patrolling capacity has
delivered good results.

33. Illegal traps have been confiscated and
burnt in Viet Nam

34. In the Philippines Fisheries Law
Enforcement Teams supported by RFLP
have played an important role.

35. They have helped enforce a 3-month
ban on commercial sardine fishing that
has greatly helped stocks recover.

36. Tara Bandu in Timor-Leste have already
proven effective.

37. As community-based mechanisms to
effectively co-manage local resources.

38. As a result of RFLP’s actions fisher-
government relations have been greatly
enhanced in many countries.

39. This plays a hugely important role in
ensuring resources are co-managed
effectively.

40. RFLP put in place processes and
mechanisms to gather and
generate data and information
about fisheries and small-scale
fishing communities.
This will form the basis for informed
fisheries management plans.

41. In Timor-Leste an online National Fisheries
Statistics System was established.

42. As part of this initiative, the first ever national
census of fishing vessels in Timor-Leste took
place.

43. 96% of vessels nationwide
were registered with details
entered into Google Earth
where they are instantly
accessible.

44. A pilot system to report and record data on
illegal fishing using personal locator beacons
was successfully launched.

45. Boat positions and
incidences of illegal
fishing are logged
online in real time.
Fishers also use the
device to call for
help in emergency.
As a result of RFLP efforts
the Timorese Government
plans to adopt this system
nationwide.

46. A National Maritime Authority will
also be formed to deal with
emergency response for when
fishers push the ‘help’ button.

47. In Timor-Leste bathymetric data was also gathered
through the use of GPS sounders.

48. The GPS sounders helped the fishers to find
fish.

49. While at the same time the authorities could gather data on
water depth, temperature and fisher movements.

50. Areas of community interest were
mapped. This included where fishers
went to sea or if there were saltwater
crocodiles present.

51. Fish catch monitoring also took
place in Timor-Leste, Cambodia
and Sri Lanka.

52. Other important skills
taught included how to
carry out marine resource
surveys.

53. These skills were put to use in the
development of marine resource
maps in the Philippines

54. As well as village regulations to manage local resources in
Indonesia.

55. Transition
slide
2. Reducing
vulnerability of small-
scale fishers and their
families

56. Fishing remains the world’s
most dangerous
occupation.

57. RFLP therefore helped
improve the safety of
fishers at sea and the
vulnerability of fishing
communities it worked
with.

58. Training and basic
equipment such as life
jackets were provided.

59. Rescue and safety
techniques taught.

60. As were boat building and
boat maintenance skills.

61. Boat building skills.

62. Basic first aid skills
were especially
popular with women
who could put them
to use in the home.

63. Outboard engine
maintenance and repair
skills were especially
popular with fishers.

64. Being able to fix and maintain their engines enhances
safety and their ability to fish and make money.

65. Navigation skills
were taught.

66. Fishers were also helped
to become ‘officially’
licensed in Viet Nam,
Indonesia and Cambodia.

67. Women were involved in
training to help encourage
safer practices by husbands or
brothers etc.

68. A variety of safety at sea awareness
campaigns and materials were
produced.

69. Leading and
landing lights in
Sri Lanka and
Cambodia
helped fishers
return safely in
the dark or bad
weather.

70. Accident reporting systems were
piloted in Indonesia, Cambodia and Viet
Nam as well as Timor-Leste.

71. In Timor the system revealed the scale of deaths and injuries from
saltwater crocodile attacks.

72. RFLP helped develop a
National Plan of Action for
Safety of Fishers and Vessels
at Sea in Sri Lanka.

73. 16 people were
rescued from a
sinking boat in
Timor-Leste
when a phone
kept dry in an
RFLP-supplied
‘Aquapac’ was
used to call for
help.
As a result of RFLP safety
at sea activities there
were a number of
documented cases of
lives being saved.

74. A fisher was also saved by an
RFLP lifejacket when he was
washed overboard.
Saved in Sri Lanka – a diver
put RFLP training to use when
lost at sea.

75. TRANSITION SLIDE
3. Improving the quality of fishery
products and market chains
TRANSITION SLIDE

76. A wide range of actions to improve
production techniques, product
quality and marketing so as to boost
fishers’ income from their efforts.

77. Hygiene and sanitation practices were
improved through training, developing
awareness raising material and

78. Post harvest losses were reduced and
incomes enhanced through the
provision of ice boxes and aerators in
Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.

79. In Indonesia motorcycle cool boxes allowed fisheries products to be
transported more hygienically, economically and over longer distances.

80. Capacity building took place to improve
product quality in all six RFLP countries.

81. Producers were trained in new techniques
and gained certification.

82. Better processes, product quality, packaging,
certification and marketing all led to increased sales
and income.

83. Direct marketing efforts boosted sales of
fisheries products in Viet Nam.

84. Participation in provincial and national
trade shows in Indonesia drove sales and
boosted confidence of producers.

85. Beach access paths in Sri Lanka resulted in
a considerable increase in income for
fishers by facilitating access for more
buyers.

86. Thuan An port in Viet Nam’s Thua Thien
Hue province was renovated to enhance
hygiene standards.

87. Hygiene and management levels at Oeba
fish landing centre in Kupang, Indonesia
were enhanced following an intense
participatory process.

88. Previously unused fish landing centers in Timor-Leste were also given a new lease of
life.

89. They became centers for data collection
and sharing, and ice production.

90. They were also used for training events so
as to make them more relevant to the
community.

91. 4. Strengthening
livelihoods
TRANSITION SLIDE

92. Approximately 40 different
livelihoods initiatives were
launched by RFLP.

93. These will enhance income
opportunities for participants
while potentially contributing
to reduced pressure on
natural resources.

94. A significant amount of community
consultation took place to identify
potential livelihoods options.

95. Considerable emphasis was also placed on
building business planning and
management skills before livelihoods
actions were launched.

96. Examples of RFLP livelihoods actions
include…
Sewing skills in the Philippines

97. With groups trained to make bags,
hats and underwear.

98. Handicrafts in Sri Lanka

99. Small-scale aquaculture in
Indonesia

100. Support to a National
Aquaculture Development
Strategy in Timor-Leste.
New Zealand will fund the
first implementation
phase.

101. Vocational training – IT
skills in Sri Lanka

102. Hairdressing and beauty
culture were taught in Sri
Lanka, Indonesia and the
Philippines.

103. Fibre glass products were
made in Indonesia.

104. Indonesian youth also
learned IT repair skills.

105. …and how to fix engines.

106. Fisher wives in the
Philippines were
supported to launch a
fishing product supply
store.

107. A boat removal and repair
facility was constructed in
Cambodia.

108. Fishers trained in engine
repair in Timor-Leste also
launched small workshops.

109. Various fish-based and non-
fish based food products
were produced for sale.

110. In Sri Lanka a coconut oil
production facility became
operational.

111. As did a coir
products
production centre.

112. Rice banks were built and
launched in Cambodia.

113. These help farmer/fishers
borrow rice when they
need it as well as offer
affordable loans.

114. Pig raising was supported
in Viet Nam often in
conjunction with biogas
facilities.

115. Chicken raising was
successful in Viet Nam and
Cambodia.

116. Home gardens in Sri Lanka
provided fisher families
with financial and
nutritional benefits.

117. Fisher families in Sri Lanka
also tried their hand at
dairy farming.

118. Sand leeks were grown in
Viet Nam.

119. And seaweed farming
techniques improved in
Indonesia.

120. Biogas introduced in Viet
Nam and Indonesia helps
fisher families spend less
on kerosene, reduces time
spent looking for wood
and also helps clean the
environment by using
animal waste etc.

121. 5. RFLP boosted financial
literacy and access to
micro-finance services.
TRANSITION SLIDE

122. Emphasis was placed on raising basic
financial literacy in all RFLP countries.

123. Significant progress was made in Sri
Lanka.

124. Sri Lankan fisheries societies were helped to operate more efficiently
and more professionally.

125. As a result the government requested
replication of RFLP’s micro-finance
strategy for fishers nationwide.

126. Community-based savings groups also
boosted membership in Cambodia
following RFLP training.

127. 6. Sharing knowledge between RFLP
countries and other interested
stakeholders
TRANSITION SLIDE

128. RFLP gathered information on its activities
and produced a wide range of knowledge
sharing materials

129. These included advisory and lessons
learned notes.

130. Publications

131. Case studies

132. Newsletters

133. RFLP also contributed to regional policy
dialogue through participation in regional
fisheries workshops and events and
publication of policy papers.

134. TRANSITION SLIDE
Gender mainstreaming

135. Gender analysis took place and a specific
gender strategy was developed.
RFLP sought to mainstream gender in all
its activities.

136. Approx 38% of participants in RFLP
capacity building activities were
women.

137. RFLP successfully increased the
membership and involvement of women in
management bodies such as Fisheries
Associations in Viet Nam.

138. Changes to Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Act mean that women can
now sit on co-management bodies.

139. Seats on the Fish Finance Network
Association board of directors in Sri Lanka
were set aside for women.

140. Women also became signatories to Tara
Bandu in Timor-Leste in a symbolic step.

141. Transition
slide

142. RFLP would like to extend its thanks to the
Kingdom of Spain and all those who have
supported and participated in its activities.
Their contribution has been vital to the
programme’s success!

143. Thank you for your attention!

144. Regional Fisheries
Livelihoods Programme for
South and Southeast Asia
www.rflp.org