Title : Involvement of Northern civil society organizations in the sustainable management of fisheries resources through the promotion of sustainable fishing around Lagdo Lake (northern Cameroon)
Abstract:
The cell for integrated development and the environment is an NGO active in the North Region of Cameroon. Its mission is to support and accompany grassroots community organizations as well as decentralized local communities bordering protected areas in northern Cameroon to fight against poverty through the sustainable management of resources. For several years, it has supported the organizations of fishermen living near the Lagdo reservoir in the practice of sustainable fishing. The Lagdo dam has been in place since 1984. Bad fishing practices, the use of non-conventional fishing gear and equipment, excessive cutting of wood by lake residents for household needs and the drying of fish, pollution of the banks of the lake.
The Lagdo dam has been in place since 1984. The perimeter of the lake has 112 fishing camps. Its area today amounts to less than 700 km². Fisheries resources were considerable at the time. Around 1988, the fish catch rate was about 20,000 tons per year. Today, there is a decline in fish populations. The catch rate is less than 5000 tonnes of fish/year. For more than 20 years, Lagdo Lake has been threatened with silting up, the populations who initially lived only from fishing are converting to other activities such as agriculture, livestock, the sale of wood and poaching. wildlife species.
Activities carried out:
Mobilization of fishermen, organization of educational talks involving traditional leaders, awareness information for fishermen, identification of non-conventional fishing gear, identification of conventional fishing gear and equipment, awareness of texts and laws governing the sustainable management of natural resources, subsidy conventional nets to fishermen's organisations, adoption of new fishing techniques, organization of awareness-raising campaigns to respect the Lake's biological rest period, conduct of a study to identify fish reproduction periods and points, setting up of a multi-actor platform for fisheries resources around Lagdo lake. Encouraging local populations to practice compensation activities (market gardening, sustainable agriculture, small livestock, etc.); popularization of the improved stove to reduce the consumption of firewood.
Results obtained:
12 administrative authorities (Divisional officers, sub divisional officers, traditional rulers) and the decentralized technical services of several ministries have been made aware of the sustainable management of fisheries resources and water according to conservation requirements and are actively participating in the activities.
2,800 beneficiaries informed and sensitized on respecting the biological rest period of Lagdo Lake; the organizational capacities of fishermen for the community management of fishery resources have been strengthened through the establishment of the platform (umbrella organization). More than 3,000 people from 80 villages have been educated in the rational and ecological exploitation of wood for smoking fish and daily use.
The shores of the lake and the halieutic resources are preserved and restored. 16,300 trees chosen by the beneficiaries made up of foresters including acacia polyacantha, acacia nilotica, eucalyptus and fruit trees: mango and guava trees were planted to protect the banks of the lake.
240 fishermen were organized into 6 common initiative groups and recognized by the administration. The banks of the lake are less polluted because the inhabitants ensure the rules of elementary hygiene.
In conclusion, the action will have enabled:
-To improve the health situation and the nutritional status of vulnerable populations, in particular pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under 5 years of age;
-Improve communities' access to economic opportunities and adequate food in a sustainable manner sensitive to social cohesion
Audience Take Away:
Collaboration between local public authorities and civil society, and in particular the participation of citizens in public action, through consultation or consultation, is a guarantee for the success of actions. In North Cameroon, civil society organizations have taken on considerable importance in the popularization of texts governing the sustainable management of natural resources, in particular with regard to sustainable fishing in Lake Lagdo.
