In São Tomé and Príncipe, artisanal fishing provides 70% of the local population’s animal protein supply. It employs around 3,000 fishers across as many dugout canoes, only 15% of which are motorised. For this local economic activity to be sustainable, it is necessary to preserve the marine environment. The current situation shows that many problems remain, and that artisanal fishers remain largely unaware of environmental considerations. In addition, the NGO MARAPA notes a lack of access to information on sustainable fisheries management among fishing communities living in this island nation.
The project’s overall objective is to strengthen fishers’ knowledge of fisheries resource dynamics and the sustainable management of their activity. The aim is to improve fisheries conservation, management and development, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of fishers’ livelihoods.