The Boat Motorization Assistance Center CAMP and its predecessors

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2.3.2.1 The Boat Motorization Assistance Center CAMP and its predecessors

The Center of Assistance for the Motorization of Canoes CAMP was established as an outcome of cooperation between Canada and Senegal 1972 Convention between Canada and Senegal. The main objectives of CAMP were: • To acquire new outboard engines and spare parts; • To establish local outlets for the maintenance, repair and distribution of outboard engines; • To train the technical staff required mechanics, spare parts technicians; • To establish a program for mechanical services. The project functioned as an autonomous entity until 1978, during which time it played a decisive role in the modernization of artisanal fisheries. For example, a credit system making it possible for fishermen to acquire their material within a period of two years was adopted. Organization and operation CAMP established local outlets engine repair and maintenance units in the main fishing centers and provided all the fishing equipment and accessories. A preventive mechanical services program was established to educate and train fishermen to use and maintain their engines. Meetings were held on a regular basis to supply fishing materials, equipment and accessories, sea fishing overalls, lifevests and engine parts to fishermen, and to teach them how to use and maintain such materials. At the institutional level, CAMP was placed under the supervision of the Department of Oceanography and Marine Fisheries, and it had Representatives at the local level. Results and accomplishments On the whole, the results of CAMP were satisfactory, especially in the dissemination and ownership of technologies. The CAMP recipe for success was based on i good organization at the central and regional levels, ii the provision of the required resources and materials, and iii the organization of actors in cooperatives with the support of a team of facilitators and supervisors provided by the Department of Cooperation in the Ministry of Agriculture. CAMP became part of the Center for Assistance to Artisanal Fishing in Senegal CAPAS, another project of the Canadian Agency for Cooperation, whose objectives were to assist in organizing the sale and distribution of fish within the country and in the remote areas. In terms of results, CAPAS i improved the organization, outreach andor training of fishermen as well as their access to equipment such as outboard engines and fishing materials and accessories; ii established three 03 fish trading centers in Joal, Cayar and Rufisque with workers trained to properly handle, package, store and transport fish; and iii opened the fish distribution chain to the rest of the country and towards the remote areas in Senegal’s eastern and river valley regions. After CAMP achieved the objective of motorizing fishing boats and privatizing the sale of outboard engines and their spare parts, it was assigned new objectives and transformed into the Center for Assistance, Experimentation and extension in Fisheries CAEP. CAEP became a full legal entity in 18 0ctober 1994 with a Ministerial Order from the Ministry of Fisheries, which set out its objectives as follows: • To provide assistance, supervision, training and information to artisanal fisheries stakeholders engaged in all fields of activity production, processing, marketing; • To undertake, with fishermen in this sub-sector, the experimentation and dissemination of all the technical innovations related to the development of artisanal fisheries; • To order and sell all the materials and equipment for artisanal fisheries. With regard to institutional and operational issues, CAEP took over the responsibilities and even the personnel of CAMP, and offered them proper training to be able to redirect their duties accordingly. In terms of results, CAEP functioned as a crosscutting entity and coordinated or conducted several training sessions for the Fisheries Department, and also for the Ministry of Youth. We shall examine the impact of these training sessions later in the study. After the national consultations in 20002001, there was a shift in focus. The authorities transformed CAEP into the Fisheries Enhancement, Experimentation and Extension Center CPEP. Established in September 2003 Order of 31 December providing for the organization and operationalization of CPEP, this center, unlike the other Departments of the Ministry of Fisheries, was assigned crosscutting objectives, such as: • The training and retraining of fishermen and aquaculturists; • The experimentation and extension techniques and research findings on fisheries and aquaculture; • The monitoring and examination of tax exemption records on fishing equipment. On institutional, organizational and operational aspects, CPEP took advantage of the accomplishments of CAMP and CAEP. In terms of results, considerable gains were made in the delivery of fishing equipment and accessories. In this regard, the proximity of fishermen, the existence of structures at the local level and of actors who were organized in EIGs all facilitated CPEP initiatives, particularly in stakeholder training and capacity building. CAEP and CPEP made substantial contributions to the experimentation and extension of navigation and safety materials and equipment Compasses, GPS, Life vests, flares and Reflectors. They also helped experimenting in collaboration with fishermen with fiberglass boats. These boats were found to be more comfortable and safe for fishermen. In spite of all these accomplishments, CPEP ended in 2006 after 3 years of operation. It ended due to lack of resources for staff suport and operations. According to the statutes which created these provisions for the establishement of a state department and extension services, the CPEP remains in existence. But it has been placed under the Ministry of Fisheries, and it has no staff and structure of its own.

2.3.2.2 Program of Assistance to Artisanal Fisheries in the South PAPA SUD