Fishers from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal visited ABALOBI in Muizenberg.
Kickoff and Welcome
The first day of this NORAD-funded training and exchange kicked off with registration and a welcome breakfast at ABALOBI’s warehouse in Muizenberg. The twelve fishers in attendance (two from Port Edward and ten from Port St. Johns) were accompanied by two WWF representatives.
Overview
After all participants had received their information packs, ABALOBI caps, and ABALOBI t-shirts, an ABALOBI team member welcomed the attendees over breakfast and outlined the main goals for the week. The fishers were especially looking forward to the trip to the harbour in Struisbaai the next day, eager to see how the fishing activity in the Western Cape compared to their methods on the east coast.
Warehouse Tour
After breakfast, attendees toured the warehouse, led by ABALOBI’s Marketplace Operations and PR coordinator. They were guided through the process of receiving, storing, weighing, and packaging the fish, with demonstrations of the various key pieces of equipment used in these processes. Although the vital role of the ABALOBI Fisher app in communication, securing buyers, traceability, and contributing to smooth marketplace operations was evident to the fishers in attendance, the importance of data as the starting point for driving change and equity in the small-scale fisheries ("SSF") sector was emphasised. The importance of top-notch cold chain practices was another key theme that the fishers commented on and were eager to explore ways to implement these new practices in their own communities.
ABALOBI Fisher App Training
After the warehouse tour, fishers attended an interactive ABALOBI Fisher app training session, led by ABALOBI’s Community Engagement and Training Officer. The group was actively engaged, showcasing improvement in skills and understanding from prior training sessions. Following a brief demonstration to refresh the fishers on utilizing ABALOBI’s chatbot, LOBI, as a support resource, the group concluded the session and dispersed for the day.
Key Takeaways
A key takeaway from the day’s activities was the clear and evident progress made by the fishers. There was not only a noticeable increase in their comfort level with the various ABALOBI technologies, but several members also expressed how both WWF and ABALOBI had earned their trust through consistent engagement and effort.