Support to the New Small-Scale Fisheries Cooperatives
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Published 19. Nov 2024 by lara_mullins
Data-Driven Fisheries: What ABALOBI’s Data Portal Means for the Future of Co-Management

For small-scale fishers, data is power - it shapes how resources are managed, markets are accessed, and policies are made. Historically, the lack of accessible, real-time data has left fishers disconnected from decision-making processes. But with the launch of the ABALOBI Data Portal, cooperatives now have direct access to their own fisheries data, ushering in a new era of transparent, community-led fisheries management.

Bringing Data to the Fishers: The ABALOBI Data Portal

The ABALOBI Data Portal is more than just a dashboard - it’s a tool that puts data ownership directly in the hands of cooperatives. Instead of waiting for reports from third parties, fishers and cooperative leaders can now log in, view real-time data, and track trends in their catches, financials, and market access.

The portal provides:

  • Real-time fish landing data to improve planning and decision-making.
  • Market trends and sales insights for better price negotiations.
  • Data transparency to strengthen co-management discussions with regulators and policymakers.

The November 2024 Data Feedback & Marketplace Workshop

In November 2024, ABALOBI hosted a Data Feedback and Marketplace Workshop in Port St. Johns, attended by 77 stakeholders, including representatives from DFFE, WWF, the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), and eight cooperatives. This event showcased how fishers are using the ABALOBI Data Portal and explored its role in enhancing fisheries governance.

Key Discussions & Takeaways:

  • Fishers as Data Owners – Cooperatives expressed enthusiasm about having real-time access to their data, allowing them to track sales, expenses, and catch trends with greater accuracy.
  • Bridging the Gap with DFFE – Government representatives emphasised that better data means better policy decisions, and they welcomed the portal’s potential for co-management frameworks.
  • Market Access & Value Chains – Fishers engaged in interactive exercises to understand how their data influences the broader seafood value chain, from dock to plate.

Shaping the Future of Co-Management

With fishers now able to own, access, and analyse their data, the ABALOBI Data Portal is laying the foundation for stronger co-management partnerships. By providing real-time data insights, cooperatives can:

  • Negotiate fairer pricing with buyers.
  • Ensure accurate reporting for regulatory compliance.
  • Identify stock trends to support sustainable fishing practices.

This data-driven approach is already sparking conversations on how cooperatives and DFFE can collaborate more effectively, using the portal as a shared resource.

Next Steps: Expanding Data Access & Training

To build on this momentum, ABALOBI is working on:

  • Onboarding more cooperatives onto the Data Portal.
  • Providing hands-on training so fishers can fully utilize the platform.
  • Enhancing data visualisations to make insights even more actionable.

Conclusion: Data as a Catalyst for Change

The ABALOBI Data Portal isn’t just a digital tool - it’s a catalyst for change in small-scale fisheries governance. By giving fishers control over their own data, it is transforming how they engage with markets, policymakers, and their own communities. As more cooperatives embrace this technology, the future of small-scale fisheries will be driven by those who know the ocean best - its fishers.