The project has created a more organized network of fishing communities from various jetties. Contact persons selected by the repective communities represented the fishing communities. These leaders or contact persons regularly met with other contact persons to share experiences, discuss problems and find solutions to mutual and specific issues. As the project required regular meetings and firm commitment, a more formal and organized grouping naturally resulted.
The project has exposed them to the need to protect the environment and support sustainable fisheries. This is clear by their commitment in undertaking mangrove restoration activities and in monitoring the activities of illegal encroachment by trawlers.
In the process of organizing workshops the leaders have also shown good organizational skills, ability to conduct meetings and data gathering and documentation. In addressing issues and problems being faced by the fishing communities, experience has made it clear that they are able to meet government officials and present the arguments convincingly in a rational dialogue.
It is also evident that a large segment of the fishing community clearly understands the importance of mangroves and is actively involved in restoration projects. They also provided info on pollution caused by shrimp ponds and the mysterious death of mangroves in some areas.
They also understand and appreciate further the meaning of sustainable fishing practices that are being used and the project has helped create awareness on sustainable fisheries but it is not possible to say that we have helped improve their income through the promotion of sustainable fishing practices. WE may have helped influence their decision not to use destructive fishing practices or opt out of them totally.
What we have stressed during the duration of this project is the need to stop and reverse the underlying causes of fish biodiversity depletion. Apart from the use of destructive fishing gears, the encroachment into the inshore waters by the trawlers, water pollution and mangrove forest destruction are principal causes. The fishing communities have realized that all these fundamental causes must also be addressed if fish BD is to be restored and income levels are to be improved.
The project has also resulted in the production of 2 Malay publications- one relating to information about sustainable fishing practices and the other about the importance and use of mangrove forests.