Port St Johns, South Africa

Overview

Economic Empowerment of Small-Scale Fishers in the Eastern Cape through a gender-inclusive blue economy incubator program.

Social, Environmental, and Financial Impact

Social Impact

Capacity Building & Empowerment: 17 cooperative members (8 women, 9 men) attended the 5-day Bootcamp.
Community Reach: A total of 291 indirect beneficiaries (98 women, 193 men) benefited from the training and resources across 8 communities, promoting gender-inclusive participation.
Specific Training: Training included Skipper Certification (Mngazana Cooperative), Compliance Awareness (Flat Rock Cooperative), and training in Abalobi Fishing traceable tools.

Environmental Impact

Sustainable Practices: The program encourages fishers to follow regulations, use gear designed for specific species, and adhere to seasonal closures to protect the environment and ensure sustainable use of marine resources.
Traceability: The use of Traceable tools (Abalobi App) supports better environmental monitoring and reporting.

Financial Impact

Market Access & Revenue: Several cooperatives secured 3-year contracts with East Coast Rock Lobster (ECRL) buyers (e.g., Chascavu, Blowhole, Flat Rock), moving them from relying on own-use permits to commercial operations.
Equipment Grant: Acquisition of fishing gears and stationery improved bookkeeping and operational capacity, leading to improved catch and better revenue (e.g., Nomngcingi Cooperative).
Infrastructure: Construction and fencing of storage sites (e.g., Mngazana Cooperative) establishes a business base for operations and resource management.

About Port St. Johns

Port St Johns is a coastal town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, situated at the mouth of the uMzimvubu River, within the area known as the Wild Coast. It is characterized by stunning natural scenery, lush hills, and pristine beaches, making it a popular tourist destination. The town’s community is predominantly Xhosa. Economic activities include tourism, agriculture, and, crucially, fishing, which is a primary source of income and sustenance for coastal communities.

Specific Challenges Faced

The area faces broad socio-economic and environmental challenges, as well as specific institutional hurdles for the fishing cooperatives:

General Seascape Challenges

Poverty and unemployment/underdevelopment.
Limited access to basic services and infrastructure deficiencies (e.g., poor road infrastructure).
Environmental degradation and overfishing.
Social disruption, land issues, and community resistance.
Resource management conflicts.

Specific Challenges for Fisher Cooperatives

Administrative & Legal: Outdated company records (CIPC), difficulties with SARS filings, tax penalties, and issues opening bank accounts. Lack of written policies and record-keeping.
Operational: Lack of essential equipment (fishing gear, cold storage, PPE) and limited access to markets.
Governance: Poor communication, lack of unity/trust, absence of transparency, and internal conflicts.
Capacity: Low literacy levels creating language barriers, limited understanding of permit conditions, and difficulty interpreting contracts.
Social: Safety concerns related to travel (especially for women), and a lack of gender inclusivity/youth participation in the sector.

OHA Activities in the Region (Blue Economy Incubator Program)

OceanHub Africa’s intervention aims to empower small-scale fishers in PSJ through a gender-inclusive blue economy incubator program.

Core Activities

Seascape Needs Analysis
In-person Training: A 5-day blue economy incubation “Bootcamp.”
Coaching and Mentoring Sessions: (Totaling 22 hours spent).
Grant Resource Fund: Providing fishing equipment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), stationery, and infrastructure support (e.g., fencing, storage container relocation).
Monitoring & Evaluation