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More Fish for You & Me

The initiative fosters sustainable fishing through a stakeholder committee, training, proper nets, aquaculture, mangrove replanting, and modern facilities.

Municipality

CM
Bamusso, Región del Sudoeste,

Category / Sub-Category / Topic

Economic development, Sustainability

Type of investment needed

Grant

Associated SDGs

The challenge

In Bamusso, unsustainable fishing and law violations have reduced fish supply, pushing fishermen to costly trips over 10 miles offshore.

The project

“More Fish For You & Me” tackles Bamusso's fishing crisis through community-driven, sustainable solutions that prioritize collaboration, education, and environmental conservation. At its core is a community-based steering committee comprising fishermen, fishmongers, local leaders, and government representatives. This inclusive group fosters collective decision-making and accountability, ensuring the initiative is tailored to the unique needs of the community while promoting long-term ownership and impact.
The project also includes training programs, in partnership with OKF Fish Farm and Bamusso Council, to teach sustainable fishing techniques and integrate environmental conservation into daily practices after which fishermen will receive properly sized nets at affordable prices to encourage responsible fishing. To further boost fish supply, aquaculture fish farms will be established with Beterrol Fish Farm in Kumba, offering innovative land and sea-based solutions. Additionally, collaboration with schools and local councils will be made to restore two hectares of degraded mangroves, enhancing biodiversity and creating a healthier environment for fish breeding.
Future plans include recycling disused fishing nets to promote a circular economy, rehabilitating ice plants, and building modern transformation units to complement existing traditional facilities.
The initiative’s emphasis on community ownership and active participation, addressing gaps left by previous NGO efforts that failed to engage locals effectively makes it innovative. With strong support from government stakeholders, including the chief of the fishery post in Bamusso, this initiative stands as a model of sustainable, community-led development that ensures long-term impact.

Know more...

Bamusso municipality, located in the South West Region of Cameroon, is a coastal area within the Ndian Division along the Atlantic Ocean. It features rural, traditional settlements, many of which are situated on islands and waterways, with limited modern amenities. Bamusso town, the municipal headquarters, thrives on fishing due to its rich aquatic resources, supported by mangrove ecosystems that foster biodiversity. The majority of residents rely on small-scale fishing, alongside minor farming and trading activities. Fish is a critical part of the local economy and diet, serving both as a staple food and a bartering commodity. Despite its local significance, fish from Bamusso is also traded in nearby markets and across national borders, making the preservation of its marine habitat essential for sustaining livelihoods and the local economy.

The municipality faces a significant challenge with unsustainable fishing practices, leading to a decline in fish stocks. Fishermen must travel up to 10 miles offshore to secure sufficient catches, which increases costs and effort. Despite the high demand for fish, supply remains inconsistent, leaving fishmongers unable to meet customer needs. This issue stems primarily from the widespread non-compliance with fishing regulations by local fishermen and large companies. The use of small-mesh nets captures juvenile fish, preventing population recovery, while some resort to harmful chemicals that damage the marine environment. As a result, there is a reduction in fish populations, declining incomes for fishermen and fishmongers, and the destruction of marine habitats.

Several factors contribute to this problem, including weak enforcement of fishing laws, overfishing, and poverty. Government efforts to monitor fishing activities are hindered by insufficient staff, inadequate patrol resources, and poor surveillance systems. Additionally, many local fishermen lack licenses and adopt destructive fishing methods, exacerbating the issue. Overfishing is prevalent, with 75–80% of the population relying on fishing as their primary livelihood. Poverty further compounds the problem, as fishermen cannot afford modern, sustainable tools like appropriate net sizes, ice plants, or efficient fishing boats, leaving them dependent on outdated practices that harm marine ecosystems.

Efforts to address these challenges include monitoring fishermen’s catches at the shore and imposing fines for capturing young fish. However, these measures are insufficient to address the scale of the problem. To ensure sustainability, there is a pressing need for stronger enforcement of fishing laws, adoption of sustainable fishing techniques, and investment in resources such as adaptable fishing equipment and cold storage facilities. Without these interventions, the long-term viability of Bamusso’s fishing economy remains at risk.

  • Committee Selection: Establishing a community-based fish management system by educating the community on the importance of this, defining membership criteria, and selecting 10 members through a community vote
  • Awareness creation & training of the fishermen & the community on sustainable fishing methods, fish management and conservation of fish habitat: Collaborating with OKF Aqua-fish for training of 50 fishermen as advocates of sustainable fishing practices, Training on mangrove protection & carrying out of mangrove reforestation in collaboration with local communities, schools, or conservation organizations, Leveraging social media to encourage use of sustainable fishing practices & showcase success stories on the benefits of adopting sustainable fishing practices, Sharing success stories through village meetings and community outreach.
  • Setting of aquaculture fish farm: Collaborating with OKF Aqua Fish Farm to establish 2 land-based fish ponds and 2 sea-floating cages, selecting 7,000 suitable fingerlings, and raising community awareness on the existence of fish farms.
  • Supply of proper & affordable fishing nets: Selecting the right parameters of fishing nets & ropes, Obtaining legal approvals, Importing 5 bales of fishing nets from local manufacturers, and Involving youth in distribution and sales.
  • Recycling/repurposing of disused nets to encourage circular economy & rehabilitation of ice plants, and build a transformation unit: Incentivizing net recycling with rewards, training locals in upcycling to create marketable products, partnering with recycling companies, and collaborating with the council for ice plant and transformation unit rehabilitation.

Direct Results

  • 1 selected committee with at least 10 key stakeholders
  • 1 Mangrove nursery established
  • 50 fishermen selected & trained who will later train other fishermen within the community on sustainable fishing practices & artificial and natural restoration practices of fish habitats
  •  2 weeks training on sustainable fishing practices planned & executed
  • Attendance of weekly village meetings for different groups to to speak on on sustainable fishing, & encourage them to carry out advocacy of sustainable fishing
  • 50 sqr meter site selected & fenced for fish farming
  • 2 floating cages purchased of 12.5 sqm each to be put in the sea
  • 2 concrete fish ponds constructed each of 3*6 meters in size
  • 1 solar reservoir constructed
  • 1 Security & management persons employed
  •  7,000 Fingerlings purchased
  •  5 bales of right size nets to be imported
  • 2 youths employed to sought, receive supplies and start selling of materials
  • Collection center for disused nets established
  • Partnership with recycling companies established
  • Ice plant rehabilitated and a transformation unit constructed

Expected Impact

  • At least 70% Improved Local Governance of Fishing Resources & Practices by 2026. The community-based fish management system will help local authorities enforce sustainable fishing laws more effectively, as community members have buy-in and representation.
  • 2 hectares of fish breeding site restored and fish population increased by 30% both on land (in fish ponds) and at sea (in floating cages) within 2 years.
  • Bamusso Council
  •  OKF Aquafish farm Limbe (https://m.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=719920013473872&id=100063676400584 )
  • Berttorel Aquaculture Kumba
  • Ngojonqui Veronique Ehinak, Delegate of Rural Development Agents (RUDEA CIG), (ehinakv@gmail.com )
  • Okenye Patrick Anoh, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Rural Development Agents (RUDEA CIG), (okenyepatrick@yahoo.com )
  • Iteke Vera Nangia, Administrative Assistant of Rural Development Agents (RUDEA CIG),(itekevera16@gmail.com )
  • Dione Linda Sone, Public Relation Officer of Rural Development Agents (RUDEA CIG), (dionelinda7@gmail.com )

Investment

(*): In kind/pro bonus

(**): Financing

Goods and inputs
Funds
Needed
Covered
Solicited

Capacitación de 50 pescadores: 1 salón equipado, insumos de librería, insumos para capacitar. (**)

u$s 289.92

u$s 0.00

u$s 289.92

Insumos para construir y equipar 2 estanques de acuicultura (25m² cada uno) (**)

u$s 1466.43

u$s 0.00

u$s 1466.43

Suministros para 2 jaulas flotantes de peces (12,5m² cada una) utilizando materiales locales (**)

u$s 2013.31

u$s 0.00

u$s 2013.31

50 pacas de red de 40mm (**)

u$s 742.37

u$s 0.00

u$s 742.37

Compra de 9,000 bolsas de polietileno (**)

u$s 371.19

u$s 0.00

u$s 371.19

Protección del vivero con una cerca de red de pacas (**)

u$s 100.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 100.00

Services
Funds
Needed
Covered
Solicited

Diseño e impresión de 50 manuales de capacitación (**)

u$s 41.33

u$s 0.00

u$s 41.33

Honorarios para 2 expertos por 3 días (**)

u$s 247.99

u$s 0.00

u$s 247.99

4 honorarios para 1 ingeniero y 3 asistentes para la construcción de 2 estanques de 18m² cada uno (**)

u$s 578.51

u$s 0.00

u$s 578.51

4 honorarios para 1 ingeniero y 3 asistentes para la construcción de 2 jaulas flotantes de peces (12,5m² cada una) utilizando materiales locales (**)

u$s 413.22

u$s 0.00

u$s 413.22

50 transportes desde Douala a Idenau (**)

u$s 16.50

u$s 0.00

u$s 16.50

50 transportes desde Idenau a Bamusso (**)

u$s 16.50

u$s 0.00

u$s 16.50

Transporte de 9,000 plántulas (**)

u$s 82.49

u$s 0.00

u$s 82.49

2 honorarios para un conservador y encargado del vivero (**)

u$s 16.52

u$s 0.00

u$s 16.52

TOTAL AMOUNTS:

u$s 6396.28

u$s 0.00

u$s 6396.28

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