The Sepik region has long been a vital source of fish and other aquatic resources. In this vast and diverse region, numerous communities rely on fishing as their primary source of livelihood. One such initiative to support these communities has recently concluded its distribution of fishing boats and canoes.
The programme’s vital resources
• 50 new engine-mounted craft boats to coastal and island groups
• 200 robust fishing canoes to riverine communities
• Fishing and safety gear
• Essential accessories, including fish baskets, 200 and 800-litre cooler boxes, and solar kits
• Capacity building, including training in improved fishing techniques
These resources were provided to support 13,000+ fisher folks who rely primarily on fishing for their livelihoods and wellbeing.
Support for Coastal and River Communities
The Programme provided new engine-mounted craft boats to 50 coastal and island groups. Each boat is equipped with a 40 HP outboard engine and comes with fishing and safety gear. Riverine fisher groups received between one and five canoes per group based on their size and membership. These canoes are designed to be durable, strong, and resistant to various water conditions, making them ideal for fishing in the Sepik River. The essential accessories provided to riverine groups include fish baskets, cooler boxes, and solar kits. These accessories are designed to help riverine communities catch and process fish more efficiently.
Empowering Women and Strengthening Household Livelihoods
The Programme recognized the critical yet under-acknowledged role of women in the fisheries value chain. Women, including widows, were key beneficiaries of this support. Among the recipients were 57 mothers from the Kararau Cooperative Society Group in Angoram District, East Sepik Province. These women received two canoes and expressed their gratitude for the support. “We get up very early in the morning and paddle out to the lakes to deploy our fishing nets and check the nets late in the afternoon. For some, our husbands have died and cannot help us with dugout canoes. Thank you so much,” said Ms Ruth Kami, women’s spokesperson for the Kararau Cooperative Society Group. The Kandangapma Women’s Business Group from Angoram Service Camp also benefited from this initiative. This group of 150 members received three canoes and expressed their gratitude for the support. “Through the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, we are able to get this support. The canoes will help our mothers in the village with the supply of protein, fish, and also to provide some income in fish marketing,” said Chairlady Ms Tina Savinio of the Kandangapma Women’s Business Group.
Strategic Approach and Capacity Building
The Programme’s strategic approach is focused on supporting the Sepik region’s fisheries sector through capacity building and value chain upgrading. This support initiative follows a fisheries value chain study commissioned by the Programme and conducted by the PNG National Fisheries Authority (NFA). The study identified challenges faced by key actors in the Sepik region’s fisheries sector and informed upgrading strategies and investment plans. This support initiative is one of three key value chains supported under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme. The Programme’s Gender & Youth Inclusion Specialist, Ms Patu Shang, remarked on the intended impact of this support: “We hope these canoes and accessories will help to increase their fish catch and also the amount of fish they can process and smoke to bring to the markets. In addition, the more catch will help with the nutrition of their family. We hope that these materials will contribute to their economy as well as their livelihood.”
Ms Shang further explained the focus on inclusion: “When men and women work together, there is inclusion and every body is in the game for a sustainable development.”
| Key Actors | Recipient Groups | Number of Canoes |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal and Island Groups | 50 groups | 50 boats |
| Riverine Communities | 200 groups | 200 canoes |
Conclusion
The EU-STREIT PNG Programme has made a significant impact in supporting the fisheries sector in the Sepik region. By providing vital resources to coastal and riverine communities, the Programme has helped to strengthen the livelihoods of 13,000+ fisher folks. The support has also empowered women and strengthened household livelihoods, contributing to sustainable development in the region.
