Report of Regional Consultation

for the Identification of Technical Assistance Needs of

Tsunami Affected Coastal Fishing Community

Medan and Aceh, 7-10 February 2006

1.   The Regional Consultation for the Identification of Technical Assistance Needs of Tsunami Affected Coastal Fishing Community was held in Medan and Banda Aceh, on 7 – 10 February 2006. The Consultation was organized under the joint cooperation of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, the “Common Fund for Commodities” (CFC), INFOFISH and the “Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation” (NAM CSSTC).

2.    Fourteen (14) participants from the five tsunami-affected countries attended the Consultation, namely from Indonesia, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand, consisting of policy makers, technical experts, and representatives of fishing communities. Nine (9) participants attended the Consultation as representatives from potential donors and international organizations, namely: Australia/IFC, FAO, ADB, Worldfish Center, Triangle Generation Humanitaire, Mercy Corps, and USAID. Ten (10) participants from the host country also took part in the Consultation.

3.  The objective of the Consultation is to identify specific technical assistance needs of the coastal communities affected by the tsunami that hit the region on 26 December 2004. The Consultation is also a forum for dialogue and sharing experience among participants in order to identify the constraints and problems faced by the affected countries. Participants of the Consultation are expected to formulate appropriate recommendations and assistance within the frame-work of fisheries communities rehabilitation programme.

Opening Session

4.   Director of NAM CSSTC, Ms. Linggawaty Hakim, welcomed the participants to the Consultation, followed by opening address by Mr. Tailai Lu, the representative of CFC. The Consultation was officially opened by H.E. Mr. Imron Cotan, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, who stated in his opening remarks that the Consultation was a reflection of collaborative effort and shared commitment of the international community to assist the affected coastal and fishing communities.

5.   It was further emphasized during the opening session that rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts should not only focus on repairing the damaged fishing infrastructures and equipments, but also on capacity building of the affected people to enable them to run sustainable fishing expeditions in the future without compromising the environment. Rehabilitation should also be based on a study of the fishery sector’s medium and long-term needs and of its trade pattern development, for damage to fisheries has definitely become a factor in hampering domestic and international trade in fish and fish-related commodity.

Field Trip to NAD

6.    A field trip to Nangroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) was conducted on 8 February 2006 in order to get a clear picture of the situation regarding the damage caused by the tsunami and the progress of the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts that have been done by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in cooperation with donors.

7.   During the visit in Banda Aceh, participants were guided and briefed by the representatives from the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for NAD and Nias (BRR), the regional office of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and Panglima Laot (local fishermen organization), particularly on the policy and the programme implementation in the sectors of housing, infrastructures, fishery industries, education, health and livelihood.

8.   The field trip included a visit to fishing landing site at Lampulo, where integrated fishing industry is being constructed to facilitate medium-up scale fishermen with the support of international donors. Another visit was made to the Boat Workshop at Lok Nga that has been building the small fishing boat for small fishermen equipped with fishing tools. The boat workshop is being supported by a French NGO-the Triangle of Humanitarie as an effort to reactivate fishery activities in Aceh Besar district.

9.   Participants had also the opportunity to observe the destroyed fishermen village in Ulee Le and other damaged areas affected by tsunami.       

Country Report

10. Participants from the five tsunami-affected countries presented Country Report on the effect of tsunami and the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in their respective countries.

11. Discussions took place after each presentation, particularly to further clarify the substantive matters of the Country Report. Some main issues raised by participants during the discussion were, among others: (1) capacity building  on the development of aquaculture, boat construction, storage and handling process, project planning and management; (2) community level early warning system; (3) building of infrastructure, such as fish landing centres and markets; irrigation networks for ponds; cold storage and ice making plants; (4) rehabilitation of coastal habitat/eco-system; (5) needs of better standard on fishery activities; and (6) extension services.

Presentation by Regional/International Organization, Donor Agencies and NGOs

12. Representatives from donors and international organizations/institutions elaborated the wide ranging activities undertaken by them in tandem with the effort of rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas, particularly in Aceh and Nias. Special focus laid in the activities of sustainability of resources, income/employment generation including skills development, and empowerment of women.

Worldfish Centre

13. The representative of Worldfish Centre explained that the organization has been involved in the fisheries rehabilitation project in Aceh, funded by ACIAR, working together with UNSYIAH, MMAF & Agency for Marine & Fisheries Research, and Dinas Perikanan.

14. The overall aim of its work is to ensure that the Indonesian Strategy for rehabilitation and restoration of capture fisheries results in improved and sustainable fisheries livelihoods for coastal communities and improved fisheries management. It is also intenden to strengthen the capacity of local researchers in fisheries and livelihood assessments and local fisheries officers in fisheries management and community engagement.        

15. Worldfish Centre is interested to develop its work focussed on fishing effort, sharing arrangement of catch, marketing channel, and livelihood options.

ADB

16. The representative of ADB explained that the organization has been working closely with BRR Fisheries Steering Committee to rehabilitate the fishing affected economic sector in Aceh. Its support focussed on the development of infrastructure, aquaculture, boat building, services, and environment.

17. The project is being implemented in 11 districts in NAD and Nias, with integrated approach in the fields of community empowerment, capture fisheries, aquaculture facilities, infrastructure and post-harvest facilities, coastal resources rehabilitation, and restoring support services.

IFC

18. The representative of International Finance Corporation (IFC) explained that the organization is a development arm of the World Bank aimed at supporting micro business activity and access to finance. IFC draws its funding from International Donors, while IFC Aceh-Nias is financed by the Australian Government.

19. IFC has not been involved in the rehabilitation phase of the affected tsunami areas. However, it will support the long term evolution of Aceh – Nias beyond rehabilitation, particularly in the development of the shrimp aquaculture sector (institutional strengthening and value chain activities) and the institutional strengthening of fisher group, supporting integration of organizational management, micro credit and revolving funds leading to the adoption of micro projects and product marketing.

20. IFC has particular interest in Vessel construction, Harbour construction, Aquaculture, Community empowerment, Credit and Micro- credit, Marketing, and Support infrastructure.

Triangle Generation Humanitaire

21. The representative of Triangle briefed participants on the work of its organization that has been in operation in Aceh to evaluate the intervention opportunities. After 3 week assessment, Triangle has found potential rehabilitation activities in fisheries sector and psychosocial-educational sector to be implemented in Aceh, with the support of corporate financial partners, particularly the European Union, French Government and FAO.

22. The general objective of rehabilitation and reconstruction work in Aceh is aimed to support the local government in the recovery of the affected fisheries community, particularly in the reconstruction of fishery infrastructure and equipment; building traditional fishing wooden boats; enhancing the storage and handling process; reorganization of the cooperatives and rehabilitation of river embankments; and digging seashore.

Mercy Corps

23. The representative of Mercy Corps explained that the organization is an international NGO working in a number of areas throughout Indonesia. Within Aceh, Mercy Corps operates from two offices; one in Banda Aceh and one in Meulaboh, with activities focused around community mobilisation and development, infrastructure (excluding housing), social revitalisation (e.g. arts and culture, midwife clinics, sports facilities) and livelihoods (fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, livestock, forestry and small business). A majority of Mercy Corps fisheries activities are being implemented in Aceh Barat although it also conducts aquaculture programs in Aceh Besar.

24. Within Aceh Barat Mercy Corps has worked with the fisheries sector in 23 villages within 5 sub-districts. Merci Corps has been working closely with Panglima Laot, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and IPB – Coastal marine research centre at Bogor University.

25. Mercy Corps has been predominantly involved in asset replacement by providing cash grants and some materials to fishers, fish sellers, fish processors and infrastructure programs. It is now looking at longer term sustainable development activities particularly focusing on community based initiatives and working with local institutions.

Group Discussion

26. In order to formulate appropriate capacity building programme and technical assistance required by the affected countries, participants were divided into two Working Groups, namely Group I to discuss the issue of “Aquaculture”, and Group II to discuss the issue of “Fishing and Resource Management”. Each Group focused its discussion on four main subjects, i.e. (1) handling, processing, and marketing; (2) environmental rehabilitation; (3) institutional strengthening/capacity building; and (4) infrastructure development needs.

Group I-Aquaculture

27. The Working Group I was chaired by Mr. Ajay Battacharya (India), consisting of 9 members, namely: Dr. Andrea Mottram (Mercy Corps Indonesia), Aniza Suspita (Indonesia), Hussain Niyaaz (Maldives), Tarlochan Singh (INFOFISH), Fernandes (Sri Lanka), S.Bandara (Sri  Lanka), Soen’an H.Poernomo (Indonesia), Chairong Rasanasomsithi (Thailand), and Richard Banks (IFC-Australia).

28.  The Group took note of the following situation in the affected area:

Thailand: 15 M square metres of shrimp pond and 1 M square of fish ponds lost. Mangroves where existed provided sufficient protection. The problem is that in many cases mangroves were destroyed before the Tsunami. Opportunities: Restoration of mangroves.

Indonesia: Major losses in farms in major producing areas (40% or 15,000 ha), loss of hatcheries (80%). Opportunities: New species.

Sri-Lanka: small scale farming losses but support infrastructure supported

India: few farms were affected, generally lower levels of loss than fisheries. Aquaculture is considered as a valuable alternative development post Tsunami.

29. As a follow-up action, the Group made the following recommendations for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas:

Short-term

• rehabilitation of tsunami affected land with the view to re-establishing aquaculture   (***) / F

• assessment of appropriate land use patterns for tsunami affected areas (***) TA / F

• reestablishment of hatcheries, fish farms and cage culture facilities (***) TA

• reestablishment of ice production and  supply (*) F

• support in handling, processing and marketing including product and market diversification (**) TA / F

• implementation of mechanisms for aquaculture advisory and  extension support (**) TA

• strengthening and rebuilding farmers organizations/groups where necessary (**) TA / F

• establish suitable mechanisms to facilitate  coordination among  the various stakeholders such as executors/ NGOs/  individually-collectively owned farms/ regulatory authorities etc (**)  TA

Medium Term

• rehabilitation of mangrove vegetation through replanting and sustainable management (***) TA / F

• encouragement of sustainable  and environmental friendly aquaculture practices and other developmental activities (***) TA / F

• introduction of improved monitoring mechanisms for aquaculture health management, environmental monitoring and culture technologies (**)TA / F

• appropriate technological and market interventions for assurance of product safety/quality and product/ market diversification (**)TA / F

• introduction/ reestablishment of backyard hatcheries capable of producing quality seed for restocking (*)TA

Long Term

• establish suitable  mechanisms for identifying appropriate regulatory frameworks for sustainable development of aquaculture

• initiate development of a code of conduct encompassing best aquaculture practices 

Note:

TA: Technical Assistance

F: Financial Support

*): Scale of Priority and Urgency

Group II – Fishing and Resource Management

30. The Working Group II was chaired by Dr. Faathin Hameed (Maldives), consisting of 9 members, namely: D.S Nandasena (Sri Lanka), Len R Garces (World Fish Centre), Sulaiman Habeeb (Maldives), Dede Solehudin (Indonesia), Bashar A.M Ali (Triangle Generation Humanitarie), A.J. Banga (India), K. Krishna (India), Mohd. Adli Abdullah (Indonesia), Richard Coutts (ADB-Etesp Fisheries).

31. As a follow-up action, the Group made the following recommendations for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas:

• Improvements to fishing vessel design taking into consideration, safety, fuel efficiency, deck/on-board handling and storage facilities (***) TA / F

• Establish fishing vessel standard for the coastal / multi-day fishing fleets (***) TA

• Stock assessment to ensure sustainable  utilization of resources through the establishment of appropriate legal framework for resource management and  incorporating suitable fishing vessel registration mechanisms (***) TA

• Empowering of fisher communities to strengthen their participation in resource management, planning and development through mechanisms such as propagation of community based, co-management arrangements, cooperatives, etc (***) TA

• Provision of training, including technology transfer to promote adoption of improved, cost effective  fishing technologies by the fishing communities (**) TA

• Studies to identify, promote and implement  alternative livelihood opportunities (**) TA / F

• Improve and develop access to credit and microfinance to facilitate income/ employment generation among affected communities (***) TA / F

• reestablish and develop institutional arrangements for fisher safety at sea (***) TA / F

• to identify and assess the needs for  appropriate post harvest facilities and investments to ensure product/ market development such as  landing, post harvest handling/processing  and marketing (***) TA

• identify and implement mechanisms to improve existing marketing systems or to develop marketing arrangements (both domestic and export) to ensure better returns for fishers (***) TA / F

• Establish quality assurance systems and food safety standards and good handling/manufacturing practices (***) TA / F

• Promote HACCP when re-establishing new landing, processing and market sites (***) TA

• Assess and establish appropriate transport arrangements and infrastructure to re-establish and improve the logistcs/links between landing/processing sites and markets (***) TA / F

• Training in handling, product preservation, improved processing, packaging and marketing - Focus on empowerment of women  (***)  TA

• Training/awareness to promote entrepreneurial/business planning, development and management skills of fishers and fisher collectives (***) TA

• Assessment of market opportunities for existing and potential new products, to promote product diversification and reduce vulnerabilities to external market fluctuations (**) TA

• Establishment/improvement of market information systems networks (**) TA

• Strengthen existing local institutional arrangements, and, where such arrangements do no not exist at present, organize and build capacity of fishing communities to strengthen their bargaining power and socio-economic returns (***) TA / F

• Support for development of fishery extension services (***) TA / F

• Capacity building on research and training institutions to develop and deliver appropriate training and technology transfer to fishers - Rebuild / re-equip damaged institutions (***) TA / F

• Build / strengthen public-private partnerships (**) TA

• Assess training needs in all stages of fish production chains, and develop appropriate training delivery arrangements (**) TA

• Establish training facilities for fish workers (**) TA /F

• Promote knowledge transfer and supportive networks between fishing communities from different countries (***) TA

• Support for development and use of MCS (**) TA

• Develop and implement integrated fisheries policy and plans (***) TA

• Strengthen / develop data collection systems and analysis of socio-economic and biological status, using participatory and needs based approaches (***) TA

Adoption of the Working Groups Recommendations

32. Following a lengthy discussion, the Consultation adopted the recommendations made by the Working Groups for further follow-up action and concrete implementation in the five-affected countries. In this regard, the affected countries were encouraged to formulate and develop appropriate project proposals for consideration by donors and international organizations/institutions. The recommendations should also be submitted to FAO for further consideration by all its members to acquire the support required for such rehabilitation.

33. The Consultation took note of the offer made by the Indonesian participant that the Government of Indonesia would be prepared to coordinate the proposed regional cooperation as recommended by this Consultation. In this regard, the related institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, as well as NAM CSSTC, would be involved in the implementation of the recommendation resulted in the Consultation.

Closing Session

34. Participants expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, CFC, INFOFISH, NAM CSSTC and members of the organizing committee for organizing the Regional Consultation, which is important and useful for sharing of experience and accelerating the recovery process in the tsunami affected areas.

35. At the closing session, the representative of Indonesia, Dr. Hadimulyo, and the representative of CFC, Mr. Tailai Lu, made their closing remarks by thanking all participants for taking part actively in the Consultation. They emphasized the need to continue to work together and strengthen regional cooperation to contribute to the efforts of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of coastal and fishing community. Donor countries and institutions were called upon to financially support the implementation of such recommendations.

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