Somaliland

Somaliland : Somali Fair Fishing to be launched soon

October 7, 2012   ·   3579413 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fsomaliland-somali-fair-fishing-to-be-launched-soon-35794Somaliland+%3A+Somali+Fair+Fishing+to+be+launched+soon2012-10-07+20%3A03%3A37SomalilandPresshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D35794

Somaliland is expected to benefit from a commercial fishing venture which is expected to be launched soon, the venture which has been named Somali Fair Fishing is an independent Danish-Somali NGO formed on the October 4^th 2011 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Vision & mission

SFF aim to build a commercial fishing sector in Somali waters to provide an alternative to Somali piracy by creating new, legal and prosperous ways of living.

SFF aims to fulfill three local needs: Gainful employment, nutrition and optimal rightful commercial utilization of the marine resources that are on Somaliland’s watery doorstep.

We believe that a medium and long-term solution to the problems in the Somali waters lies in building a legitimate, societal structure ashore. The rich Somali fish-stock presents an obvious first step to secure this transition. We believe that it is essential to involve every stakeholder with an interest in stability and prosperity in the region if our goal is to be achieved.

By starting with the very basic activity of pulling fish out of the sea and taking the entire value chain and life cycle into account – from sea to stomach, all the way to consumption – SFF will develop the fishing industry through a bottom-up, ‘software’ approach, focusing on the development of the skills that are necessary for fishermen in order for a local fishing industry to be sustainable.

Our vision is to contribute to develop sovereign, orderly and prosperous ways of living for the Somali people.

Our mission is take initiative to build a new, profitable and sustainable fishing sector in the region, which we believe will be a strong asset to help fulfill our vision.

The rich fishing stock in The Gulf of Aden is a very valuable resource for the Somali people and a cornerstone in the establishment of a future peaceful and prosperous Somalia.

Somali Fair Fishing aims to contribute to build a strong, profitable and pirate-safe Somali fishing sector along with local authorities and civil society. This is an obvious path to create a sustainable transition from piracy to fishery for many young Somali men. We plan to show that fishing will present a more profitable, safe and legitimate way of living for the Somali youth.

The work of Somali Fair Fishing has three main principles and areas of focus, however the results of our preliminary research in Somaliland (spring 2012) can change and ad details within each area of focus:

Export of Somali fish to the world markets – at world market prices – through a highly flexible and effective method based on existing freezing infrastructure in the Somali territories and/or by means of a vessel with factory-, freezing and transport capacity. The fresh catch of seafood is sold from costal fishermen at fair prices directly at the freezing facilities, then processed, packed, and frozen in a disinfected environment by local Somali labour. When an ade0quate amount of freezing containers are filled with processed seafood, a ship sails to the nearest terminal port, from where the freezing containers are shipped to Europe and Asia, where the high quality seafood can be sold at world market prices. The generated funds are channeled directly back into capacity building of fisheries in Somali territories.

Capacity building of the fishermen and coastal authorities in Somalia through modern and pirate-safe fishing equipment, education of fishermen in sustainable fishing methods and new pirate preventing material to the well-educated but inadequately equipped Somaliland coast guard.

Local anchoring of the project through local ownership of the factory/freezing vessels and/or other infrastructure in cooperation with local authorities and business and by strengthening local fishing organizations. Safety and security of factory, freezing and transportation facilities must be guaranteed by the local government, and all equipment should as fast as possible be manned by locals.

We plan to start our venture in the coastal city of Berberra in Somaliland. The situation in Somaliland, is far from comparable to the rest of Somali region. Somaliland has a stabile security situation, a democratically elected government, a thriving business sector, multi-billion dollar foreign investment in infrastructural development and a decently functioning coast guard.

The plan is to enlarge the project to other areas of the Somali region when the security situation allows it.

Organization

Based on an idea by our late co-founder Jakob Johannsen, Somali Fair Fishing is driven by a mix of developmental experts, Somali diaspora representatives and political strategists. We are supported by a wide-ranging network of experts and practitioners from relevant sectors in Europe and in Africa. This organizational setting secures a high degree of knowledge in developmental issues, local and regional expertise and methods to anchor fast track execution.

Board

The Board consists of members with different insights into Somali Fair Fishing’s three main organizational targets: 1) capacity building, 2) local anchoring and 3) waters and fishery expertise.

Board

The Board consists of members with different insights into Somali Fair Fishing’s three main organisational targets: 1) capacity building, 2) local anchoring and 3) waters and fishery expertise.

Members of the Board

 

Knud Vilby, Chairman

Mahad Farah Aden, Vice-Chairman

Claus Bindslev, Vice-Chairman

Said Hussein

Kurt Bertelsen Christensen

Bindslev Next Step funds the secretariat of Somali Fair Fishing.

Toyah Hunting is the secretary.

 

 

 

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By SomalilandPress

Tags: Denmark, fisheries, Somaliland