The current project carries out its activities in 10 communities in Cacheu, focusing on fisheries, increasing production and improving nutrition, while introducing local processing and marketing techniques in an organised manner.
In cooperation with fishing associations, the project will identify ways to obtain more affordable equipment for fishers and improve fish processing.
The current projects began in May 2022 and will end in December 2022.
The project established 16 clubs, each with 60 members, across the four sectors of the Cacheu region: Canchungo, Caió, Calequisse and Cacheu. The project has 48 focal points and 80 fishers who ensure its sustainability after the implementation period ends. In addition, the project worked with associations engaged in blue economy activities. It trained 60 women in the traditional processing of fish and aquatic products, and 60 women and young people in blue economy entrepreneurship. Various campaigns were also carried out on aquatic waste management and marine potential. The project identified and trained existing fish-processing centres, helping to improve Fisher’ livelihoods.
The region has several coastal communities whose economic activities are linked to the ocean, including fishing and oyster harvesting. These activities mainly involve small-scale artisanal fishing, carried out by both men and women. By contrast, shellfish harvesting, fish processing and salt production—products sold locally or sent to the capital—are carried out mainly by women.
Women who sell fish are involved in small-scale fish processing, but lack an organised marketing structure that would enable them to access national and sub-regional value chains. Fish is traditionally processed on a small scale through smoking, drying and salting, without industrialisation.
Traditional fish processing does not always comply with quality procedures, raising concerns about product integrity on the market and potentially putting public health at risk. It is therefore essential to establish quality standards. The project strengthened training in fish processing and introduced the HACCP system (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) for quality management.
Educational attainment in Cacheu is no higher than the national average, while the proportion of young adults (aged 15–34) is above the national average. This highlights low school enrolment and, consequently, low literacy rates. The project therefore adapted UNESCO’s ocean literacy manual to develop an ocean literacy education programme for adults and young people.