ABALOBI Background
General approach
ABALOBI (meaning ‘traditional fisher’ in the South African isiXhosa language) is a non-profit organisation based in South Africa but with a global reach. We work with small-scale fishers through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and capacity building to foster more responsible fisheries management and the realisation of thriving coastal fishing communities.
Our approach to community development and upliftment is expressed through the ABALOBI Theory of Change, based on the hypothesis that sustainable development can only take place through fisheries change pathways that integrate ecological, social and economic concerns. Enabling small-scale fishers to record their own catches and visualise their data collectively, coupled with capacity-building, the development of a fully traceable, storied seafood offering, and consistent market access, will empower them to engage in the market from a more equitable position. In turn, this will increase the value of their livelihoods and ultimately catalyse fishers’ engagement in adaptive fisheries management and promote thriving, sustainable and equitable small-scale fishing communities. Our role is seen as a disruptor seeking to better position fishers and communities that rely on the marine environment to sustain a living.
Seychelles work
During March 2018, a scoping study was undertaken by the ABALOBI team in collaboration with the Fishermen & Boat Owners Association (FBOA) and the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA). It was concluded that the use and re-configuration of the ABALOBI mobile application suite could complement the data collection systems being implemented for artisanal and small-scale fishers and build on the success of the FBOA Label Programme. This FBOA initiative was developed from the ground up with artisanal and small-scale fishers and promoted responsible fishing techniques and resource sustainability with a traceable label linking consumers to the fishers’ vessels.
Subsequently, in 2019 and 2020, the ABALOBI Fisher and ABALOBI Marketplace were re-configured for the Seychellois context and were launched as the “Lansiv / ABALOBI” project, a name selected by the participating Seychellois fishers. This tech platform was envisioned to support the FBAO in revitalising its Label Programme, to incentivise fishers to record their catches for use in future co-management arrangements, and to differentiate the artisanal and small-scale fishers brand on a local market. The traceability offering allowed buyers and consumers to know exactly where, how, when and by whom the fish they were buying was caught.
