The fishing industry: A reason to hope for a future for young Haitians

These fish merchants benefited from the fisheries-related project implemented by Fondation Verte and CIDA. Having access to microcredit enabled them to buy and sell fish at better prices, which in turn enabled them to send their children to school.

Cooperation seems to be the keystone of integration and recovery projects for Haitians living outside major centres.

That's how it came about that CIDA and Fondation Verte, a local non-governmental organization, implemented a project to assist more than 500 individuals who make their living through fishing. The project aims to help these people improve their techniques for catching, preserving, and transporting fish and enable them to sell it at a better price.

The communes of Petite-Rivière-de-Nippes, Petit-Trou-de-Nippes and Anse-à-Veau, in the department of Nippes, are now benefiting from this support and are working with fish merchants, all of whom are women, and fishers to revitalize a rapidly growing sector.

The first step was to bring the fishers and merchants together and examine their needs. Straightaway, the fishing sector enhancement project was set in motion, with the fishers receiving 10 small power boats to replace their boats made from tree trunks.

Specialists hired by CIDA and Fondation Verte also installed simple devices in the ocean to run the fish near the coast. Simple and ingenious, the method uses leaves and hay placed underwater to produce a shadow that attracts fish of all sizes.

Domère Laplante (in green shirt) and his colleagues are delighted with the improvements: "We're catching bigger fish, and fishing is safer. We're earning more money, and I'll be able to send my four kids to school and buy some things for the house."

Domère Laplante is delighted with the improvements: "We're catching bigger fish, and fishing is safer. We're earning more money, and I'll be able to send my four kids to school and buy some things for the house."

With the primary resource taken care of, preservation became the focus of attention. Merchants attended workshops on drying and smoking fish, then were granted funds so they could approach the local savings and credit union for loans, which they repay with revenues from their sales. Now, they too can send their children to school and buy food for their families.

Distribution is also being improved on an ongoing basis, with a goal to diversify. Not so long ago, fishers were handling the sale of their product themselves; today, once the fish is dried or smoked, a merchant takes over.

Franciès Isaac used to sell only wood charcoal but now that she can rely on a regular supply of quality merchandise, she also sells fish. "Now that fish is readily available, I can sell some quite easily."

For the moment, sales are mainly local, but already the supportive mindset instilled by CIDA through Fondation Verte is getting individuals thinking about the future. They want to develop markets and promote, sell, and distribute their fish while refining fishing methods.

Their dreams are landing them better catches and bringing them better prices and, eventually, will lead them to a fishing school where their children can learn how to catch and preserve fish in an environment that is not only safe and secure but also supportive.

Project profile for Bati Lavi Fund

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