ABALOBI in Port St Johns - Project Background

In collaboration with WWF South Africa, ABALOBI has begun trialing the use of the ABALOBI Monitor and Fisher platforms in Port St Johns, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Initial pilot work was conducted in early 2023, with three months of monitoring at one landing site in Port St. Johns. Building on these insights and adapting the technology to the local context, ABALOBI has since trained several cooperative members from Port St. Johns, and two from Port Edward, and two WWF in-community staff members on the use of these catch landings data collection tools.
The project builds on ABALOBI’s success in the Western Cape, where small-scale fishers have used co-management frameworks and digital tools to increase income, improve resource governance, and strengthen cooperatives.

In Port St Johns, poverty extends beyond low income to include inadequate infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Women, who play vital roles in post-harvest fisheries, face entrenched barriers to leadership and decision-making. Weak cooperatives and limited market access further trap communities in cycles of poverty. Though fishers hold rights on paper, they lack the tools, knowledge, and platforms to exercise these rights effectively. The integration of ABALOBI’s digital tools for catch logging and data collection ensures that fishers can generate credible, locally relevant data to advocate for their rights and manage resources sustainably. This innovation enhances transparency and empowers communities to engage with policymakers and markets.

Co-designing a Bootcamp

As part of the PSJ project, the ABALOBI team recently collaborated with OHA (Oceans Hub Africa) in the co-design of a Fisher Bootcamp, contributing to the conceptualisation of the workshop’s objectives, structure, and agenda.
Our goal was to ensure the programme aligned with the realities and needs of local cooperatives, government stakeholders, and implementing partners like DFFE and WWF. The design process emphasised practical learning, peer-to-peer exchange, and strategic planning for co-op sustainability and income diversification.

The Bootcamp was a resounding success, marking an important step toward empowering small-scale fishers with the tools, skills, and knowledge to take control of their livelihoods. Local fishing co-operatives gained access to funding opportunities while learning how to apply leadership and decision-making skills in an inclusive and sustainable way. More importantly, they took a crucial step toward long-term financial independence by gaining access to their own data portals - a game-changer for small-scale fisheries.

Moreover, the demonstrations from the pilot marketplace trial for East Coast Rock Lobster during the bootcamp, in collaboration with Rekaseed (Pty) Ltd, demonstrated both the potential and the challenges of linking remote fishers to high-value markets. Despite logistical constraints, the trial provided valuable lessons in cold chain management and product quality assurance—critical components for future scale.

Why These Bootcamps Matter

Small-scale fishers often face a cycle of economic vulnerability, where intermediaries dictate pricing, access to markets is restricted, and financial planning remains a challenge. ABALOBI’s work in these communities is focused on breaking this cycle by equipping fishers with the technology and skills needed to manage their own businesses, track their catches, and make informed financial decisions. Bootcamps like this provide a space where fishers can not only learn new tools but also engage with each other, strengthening their co-operatives and collective bargaining power.

At the heart of the PSJ Bootcamp was the emphasis on data ownership and financial autonomy. By introducing fishers to digital tracking through the Fisher app and ABALOBI Marketplace, participants learned how to:

• Log and track their catches, expenses, and revenue.
• Identify market trends and price their fish more effectively.
• Access direct buyers, cutting out middlemen and increasing their earnings.
• Strengthen their co-operatives, allowing for bulk sales, shared resources, and collective decision-making.

The Power of Data for Fishers

Fishers in the region are now set up with access to their own data portals. This is a critical shift - historically, data about small-scale fisheries has often been collected and held by external organisations, government agencies, or market players. But now, with these portals, fishers can see their own numbers in real-time, analyse their own performance, and make informed choices about when, where, and how to fish.

Beyond financial benefits, this data is also vital for sustainable fisheries management. Fishers can track which species are being caught in what volumes, identify patterns over time, and adjust their fishing practices accordingly. In a world where climate change and overfishing threaten the future of marine ecosystems, having fishers actively engaged in responsible resource management is essential.

Building Stronger Co-Operatives and Securing Funding

Another key outcome of the bootcamp was that fishers were trained in funding applications, ensuring they are not only aware of financial opportunities but also equipped to apply for them effectively. With co-operatives stepping into a more structured role in accessing funding, managing finances, and making collective decisions, the entire small-scale fishing sector benefits.

Overall the collaborative initiative between ABALOBI and Ocean Hub Africa (OHA) in Port St Johns, reflects the significant strides made in a relatively short timeframe. The partnership has successfully laid a strong foundation for continued engagement with small-scale fisher communities and key stakeholders in the region.

The co-designed bootcamp served as a critical milestone in the PSJ programme. It facilitated deep engagement between cooperatives, government stakeholders, and implementing partners. During these sessions, cooperative members identified key governance challenges, such as trust, transparency, and internal coordination, and proposed locally grounded solutions. Their commitment to integrating data into day-to-day operations and to building monitoring capacity highlights a growing culture of cooperative-led data use.

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, this collaboration has created a platform upon which further support and investment can be built. The establishment of community-led monitoring structures, improved access to digital tools, and greater alignment between funding priorities and on-the-ground needs will be essential for long-term sustainability. The success of the PSJ Bootcamp is just the beginning. As more fishers adopt these tools and actively participate in digital tracking and co-operative engagement, we will see a more resilient, sustainable, and economically independent small-scale fishing sector emerge.

For fishers, owning their data means owning their future. And through initiatives like the PSJ Bootcamp, that future looks brighter than ever. The partnership between ABALOBI and OHA in Port St Johns has demonstrated the power of co-design, localised capacity building, and digital innovation in driving meaningful change within small-scale fisheries. While challenges remain, the groundwork has been laid for a fisher-led data future—one that holds promise for stronger governance, improved livelihoods, and more sustainable ocean economies.