| Backdrop | ICT4Fisheries | Development | Pilot sites |
Covering all aspects of small-scale fisheries from hook to cook:

Backdrop
{ What is needed? Progressive policies, a human rights approach to fisheries governance and development, and the co-production of knowledge that can guide more nuanced and fisher-driven arrangements to promote resource stewardship, food security, gender equity and socio-economic development }
ICTs to unlock policy implementation
The pending implementation of the recently gazetted Small-Scale Fisheries Policy in South Africa has provided an impetus for similarly novel approaches to small-scale fisheries governance, and an opportunity exists to leapfrog the traditionally marginalised small-scale fisheries sector into the forefront of fisheries management through the use of innovative, mobile and cloud-based information and communication technology. The new Policy is seen as a bold step towards recognising small-scale fishers’ traditional rights and seeks to implement novel co-management approaches, decentralise resource allocation, and involve fishers in resource monitoring and compliance. At the same time, the Policy aims to enable fishers to play a more empowered role throughout the value chain.
Through the development of an integrated small-scale fisheries information-management system and mobile app suite, the ABALOBI initiative aims to enable small-scale fishers to drive and be integrated into information and resource networks – from fishery monitoring and maritime safety to local development and market opportunities.
Development
A pilot process is currently active in six sites in South Africa, with large-scale roll out scheduled for late 2016. See the particulars of the app suite here …
“This is not about a team of IT people developing yet another app. ABALOBI is an initiative by the small-scale fishing communities themselves, to own the process of implementing the policies they fought for.”Dr Serge Raemaekers, Project Director
Pilot sites
Insights from our pilot programme

“With ABALOBI we can track environmental events that affect our fishing.”Ernest Titus, Small-scale fisher, Lambertsbaai, South Africa

“Everything is changing. Why should we stay the same? Look at how technology is advancing. I cannot live with the technology my grandfather used.”Theunis Newman, Small-scale fisher, Struisbaai, South Africa

“A few years ago we joked that we needed to take out accountants with us on the boats … Now we can do just that, with our smartphones and ABALOBI.”Sias Marthinus, Small-scale fisher, Struisbaai, South Africa

“With ABALOBI we can prove that we are bona fide active traditional fishers, and as a collective, we can claim our community fishing area and basket.”David Shoshola, Small-scale fisher, Lambertsbaai, South Africa