Integrated Community Fisheries Management and Resilience Plans for the Pra River

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4.4 Integrated Community Fisheries Management and Resilience Plans for the Pra River

Estuarine and Mangrove Ecosystems Year 3 activities in the Ankobra estuary will see a transition of emphasis from community vulnerability and resilience planning in the Shama and Anlo beach area to development of a pilot community based fisheries management plan for the estuarine and mangrove areas of the lower river basin. Governance mechanisms with Shama District. The governance mechanism within the Shama District is crucial for the sustained conservation of the Pra River Estuary. SFMP will therefore strengthen the governance mechanisms in the District utilizing the existing District Coastal Management Committees, Anlo Beach mangrove committee, existing bye-laws, town and country planning program and GIS capability within the Shama District Assembly. The various roles and responsibilities of the committees and the planning units have been outlined and a strategy developed to coordinate their activities. Year 3 work will support mainstreaming the governance at the district level and work towards the integration the community Fisheries Management and Resilience Plans into the eco-tourism plan. Effort will transition in this year towards the development and mainstreaming of a community based fisheries management in cooperation with the district and FC. Community based fisheries management planning. Actions to promote ecosystem-based fisheries management and community resilience planning were initiated in the Pra river estuarine area in Year 2. In addition Socio-ecological profiling, SWOT analyses of key stakeholder institutions, alternative livelihood assessment, vulnerability assessment, among other activities were completed. In Year 3, governance mechanisms will be mainstreamed with the Shama District Assembly and FC through a series of planning meetings. A community-based fisheries management scheme will be piloted within the Pra river estuarine areas. Specifically, a local co-management committee will be formed in the Pra area, members of the co-management group will be trained to enhance their performance. A local community-based fishery management plan will also be drafted and submitted to the Fisheries Commission and District Assembly for adoption and implementation. Lessons from these pilots will be documented and shared widely with stakeholders to encourage replication elsewhere. Sustainable woodlot development. CEWEFIA will train youth on woodlot management, sustainable harvesting practices and discuss its benefits. The upkeep of the woodlot plantation will be maintained by users, which include women and youth. Designated areas within the woodlot will be used for farming by user for the first year. The purpose of the woodlot is to minimize dependence and reduce depletion of mangroves. The woodlot will also serve as diversified livelihoods such as charcoal production and fuelwood for fish smokers.

4.5 Central and Western Region Fishing Community Livelihood Development Value Chain