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A triple bottom line approach to small-scale fisheries improvement

Stuart du Plessis stuart@abalobi.org

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Unchallenged market forces result in overfishing and deteriorating socioeconomic�conditions for millions of fishers globally

Problem: Society & market are disengaged

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Who we are & what sets us apart?

Visibility

Equity

Access

Inclusion

Safety at Sea

Poverty alleviation

Food security

Climate resilience

SDGs

Conservation

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ABALOBI is an African-based social enterprise with global reach.

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Our mission is to contribute towards thriving, equitable and sustainable small-scale fishing communities in Africa and beyond, through the joint development of Technology For Good.

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What is ABALOBI?

An opportunity for change & fisheries rebuilding

Fisher-centric technologies & data - our ‘tech & touch’ approach

ABALOBI co-designs inclusive, community-led technologies that poise small-scale fisheries for ecological, economic and social sustainability. We believe in participatory fisheries rebuilding initiatives that consider ocean life and livelihoods.

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What is ABALOBI?

Our Community Supported Fisheries (CSF) model

Formalising roles

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Fair remuneration for all

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Building strong fishers’ associations

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Enhancing traceability, cold chain, logistics, and safety at sea

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Fishers as financially independent data owners

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Impact: ABALOBI is driving market transformation

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  • Triple bottom line: financial, social & ecological �risk assessments�
  • Participatory approach involving the Struisbaai community: skippers, boat owners, crew, post-harvest quality control workers, shore harvesters, community health workers�
  • Methods: telephonic interviews, social surveys, workshops�
  • Success driven by community involvement at every step - survey enumerator from the community, community engagement meetings, feedback sessions

Community-level Fishery Improvement: a triple bottom line approach

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R13.5m total paid to fishers from MP sales, of which R1.5m paid to 44 women harvesters, product producers and post-harvest quality control workers

Impact: ABALOBI is driving Triple Bottom Line Impact

Avg. 350% increase

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Where to from here?

  • Triple bottom line baseline risk assessment of the Struisbaai TLF

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  • C-FIP lodged on FisheryProgress.org, awaiting registration

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  • Continued improvements including market access, organisational development, financial services development, export markets