FUNDAMENTOS DE LA EDUCACION

Three recent documents were examined to assess the extent of integration of fisheries and aquaculture into the food security policies and plans of Eritrea. These were:

Documents:

1. United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), 2007-2011; 2. Food Security Strategy, (2004);

3. Fisheries Development Project, Project Design Report (2010).

The UN Development Assistance Framework does not refer to the relation between the food insecurity situation in the country and the fisheries sector. References to fisheries in the food security section are, as in many documents, general to many sectors. The proposed response of the UN system is to enhance the food security situation in the country. This includes increasing access of rural poor to finance in order to diversify their sources of income; and strengthening the Government’s capacity to improve food security planning and the development of policies related to agriculture, fisheries and water resources. Management of natural resources is included as an integral part of the approach to address food insecurity, and the UN intends to support conservation of marine resources among other areas. Although not specific, some outcomes can be related to fisheries since one of the partners is the Ministry of Fisheries. Such is the case of the outcome ‘Enhanced decision making on food security,’ and outputs of the development and updating of strategies, policies, plans and projects, or development of regulatory procedures. The outcome “Improved access and availability of food,’ with outputs of income generation activities and livelihoods, intended to support 10 percent of the poor through micro credit financing.

In the Food Security Strategy it is estimated that about 10 percent of all households’ income are due to fisheries. The diversity on the dietary intake is evaluated as low, and the share for animal and fish products is reduced (6-7 percent). In order to ensure national and household food security the proposed strategy has three pillars: to increase agricultural and fisheries production; to enhance foreign exchange earnings through exports; and to use food assistance effectively. Under the first pillar, the fishing sector is has a high potential, given that it is not (it should be noted that the document dates back to 2004) overcapitalized and most of the stocks are not overfished, and some are considered underexploited. The strategic objectives, in order to achieve higher production in fisheries, are increased productivity of artisanal fisheries by strengthening cooperatives through technical assistance, and enhanced resource management and planning. The key element of the strategy is improved income for coastal villagers through higher productivity and stronger cooperatives, to enhance their food security. Specific measures to promote domestic fish processing and marketing by small-scale fishermen are expected.

The second pillar is to enhance the national capacity to import adequate quantities of food by increasing export earnings. It is expected that investments and institutional reforms create a positive environment to develop the fisheries sector and promote investments that allow for a more efficient exploitation of resources and increase exports of high value products, generating revenue to buy food.

There is particular reference to the promotion and protection of small-scale fishermen in order to assure that the increased industrialization and development of marine resources exploitation does not threaten household food security.

Since the Project Design Report of the Fisheries Development Project is focused on fisheries, the analysis looked at the contribution of fisheries to food security. The document notes that agriculture manages to produce only 60 percent of food requirements and that fisheries have the potential to contribute substantially to and diversify national food security. This would also reduce the incidence of poverty, particularly among coastal communities. Fish stocks were noted as being abundant and underexploited. The potential for freshwater and marine aquaculture was also noted, and as part of the overall effort to achieve food security and alleviate poverty, the government and FAO have developed a support plan for this sector. The goal of the project is to contribute to national and household food security and the alleviation of rural poverty, by raising production and productivity of artisanal fishers while conserving fishery and other marine resources. According to the report, the Eritrean Government acknowledges the importance of aquaculture in the national development plan and strategy, and aims to develop the sector as part of the overall effort to achieve food security and reduce poverty. The project has a budget of US $18.1 million, and will be implemented in regions of the country where there are poor agricultural factors that makes the region dependent on fishing for food security.

Factors to be considered to assess the role of fish in food and nutritional security

Data & time points

Favorable Adverse _availableNo data

Total fish production (marine + inland + aquaculture) 2009-2004 Decreasing Total physical availability for consumption [total production +

imports - exports (in live weight)] 2009-2004 Decreasing The 'apparent consumption' of fish per capita 2009-2004 Decreasing Share of small-scale fishers production to the total fish

production 2002 High

Area of land covered by small-scale aquaculture (back yard ponds etc)

Share of industrial fishery catch which is (processed and) sold locally

Share of fish imported specifically for local consumption

(processed or fresh) 2009 High

Availability of fish marketing infrastructure in urban and rural areas

Availability of ice and cold storage facilities Roads from coast to inland areas

Per-capita income (GDP/pop) 2010-2009 Increasing

General consumer price index 2011-2010 Increasing Fish prices compared to other animal protein prices

Poverty levels and percentage of population below these levels 2004 High Unemployment levels

Access to safe water 2008-2000 Increasing Infant mortality levels 2009-2000 Decreasing

Access to sanitation 2010-2000 High

Female literacy 2009-2006 Increasing

Mention of fish in nutrition education/awareness programs and

literature Absent

Publicity about fish consumption in mass media (newspaper,

radio, TV, SMS, etc.) Present

Availibility

Accessibility

Utilisation

Stability