Wrap-up activities of the Joint Programme: back-to-back workshops in Les Cayes and Jérémie

The consultations and the subsequent wrap-up activities in the priority zones aimed at collecting final comments from key stakeholders in order to complete the project's final report, as well as to define the key objectives, outcomes, and outputs of a fisheries and aquaculture sector development programme to be presented to potential financiers. As a result, the participants had a better understanding of the regulatory gaps in the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Haiti; understood the interest in mobilizing strategic partnerships for priority areas in the fisheries and aquaculture value chain; became aware of the productive capacities necessary for sustainable fisheries; and contributed to the formulation of recommendations for a development project in priority areas. Stakeholders’ recommendations collected during focus group discussions and workshops include:

• put in place clear and effective legislation to regulate fishing;
• raise awareness and capacity building for fishermen;
• establish a retraining and continuous learning system for fishermen, including the issuance of fishing licenses and specialized training in fishing and aquaculture;
• install fish aggregating devices (FAD);
• provide appropriate sanctions in the event of non-compliance with regulations, including offenses related to the installation and destruction of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs);
• provide technical and financial support to fishermen;
• improve marketing and conservation of fish, incl. infrastructure, conservation, etc.;
• support the mobilization of women in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors;
• develop specific infrastructure and services for the sector;
• raise awareness and educate fishermen on protecting marine ecosystems;
• set up training programmes and develop aquaculture;
• facilitate the structuring of fishing cooperatives while ensuring the availability of fishing equipment.