SIFFS

Author(s): Juulke Brosky
Publication date: Thursday 02 December 2004

Livelihood improvement of small, artisanal fishermen.

Country: India Sector: Poverty reduction, civil society building, lobby, sustainable development
Founded: 1970s
Website: www.siffs.org

Background:
All over the world, small fishermen have to struggle to survive. Middlemen and moneylenders control the (beach level) fish sales and often exploit the fishermen. In South West India, fishermen belong to the most marginalized group in society. SIFFS, the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Society, aims at improving the livelihood of small, artisanal fishermen on the lower South West coast of India. SIFFS is the head body of 125 fish marketing societies with more than 8000 fishermen, which are located in 8 coastal districts that are linked to 5 district federations.

The fish marketing societies are membership organisations that are independent of the state, political parties and NGOs that sponsor them. SIFFS constantly responds to the changing situation of the fishermen’s livelihoods. Step by step SIFFS evolved into an organisation that addresses most of the problems fishermen come across. These problems are mainly dealt with through techno-economic interventions but there is an indirect achievement of the social goals behind it.

SIFFS is based on a three-tier structure: the village societies, the district federations and the head body SIFFS. The three tiers are all autonomous units but strongly connected to each other through the exchange of information, knowledge and experiences. The higher tiers collect information and do research on specific technologies and equipment needs for fishermen. The village societies share the situations they encounter at sea, at the markets and in their daily lives as fishermen. Through the good contacts with the villages, the higher tiers have first hand information on the current problems and opportunities. In turn the village societies receive adequate solutions for their problems: a situation in which all parties contribute in a valuable way to each others situation.

Contribution to Civil Society Building:
SIFFS aims to build a society in which small fishermen have control over their fish sales and increase perspectives for a sustainable future. Through awareness building on preservation of natural resources to protect employment for the next generations and through the encouragement of shifts of occupation for youth, the fishing branch is protected. Those who continue fishing can do so with pride and good results. At the same time, strengthening of women’s livelihoods diversifies the economic base of the village, reduces over-dependency on fishery resources and ensures the all round development of the village.

The SIFFS model has led to changes in marketing systems in all villages where a fishermen society has been established. This has benefited all fishermen, whether they have joined the society or not, as the local trade system and middlemen are forced to respond to the society’s presence in a village. The independent, democratically functioning and self managed village societies have provided new ways of thinking for the fishermen, which resulted in a strong sense of ownership and leadership. SIFFS has contributed to society building through the constant focus on creating a favourable environment in which the village societies can grow and adjust to new circumstances.

The examples of activities are innumerable. It all started with the co-operation between fishermen who wanted to increase their income through improvement of the marketing conditions for their fish sales. With more income, fishermen were able to buy better equipment that increased the fish catch. The wish for better boats emerged and a boat-building yard was started where boats were built that answered to the specific needs of the artisanal fishermen and where at the same time new job opportunities were created. An ice plant was built to enable fishermen to conserve their fish while they were at sea, but also created the opportunity to transport the fish to inland markets where better prices are paid. The possibility that SIFFS created to offer micro credits to its members has put new life in the village societies and made them stronger. These are just a few examples of the variety of SIFFS’ activities. All these innovations go hand in hand with information sharing and education about new opportunities.

Besides the techno-economic interventions, SIFFS has become an important player in local, national and international networks that are devoted to policy research and advocacy to support the interests of fishermen and create awareness of the fishermen’s situation in the outside world.

Contribution to Millennium Development Goals:
Numerous SIFFS activities contribute indirectly to one or more of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Improvement of the livelihood of small, artisanal fishermen is intertwined with eradication of extreme poverty (MDG 1), primary education (MDG 2), gender equality and empowerment of women (MDG 3) and environmental sustainability (MDG 7). The availability of micro credits, the promotion of savings and insurance for members has made members less vulnerable for poverty. Youth is stimulated to educate themselves for different jobs through, for example, computer training; fisherwomen’s groups are supported and the preservation of natural resources is constantly dealt with, for example through challenging the large scale mechanised fishery sector that destroys marine life and through promotion of sustainable small-scale artisanal fishery.

From the Field:
V. Vivekanandan, “ Fishing for a Favour, Netting a Lesson”

“The visit of a Goodwill Mission of Indian fishermen to Sri Lanka to discuss the problems related to trans-border fishing by Indian boats in the Palk Bay and Palk Straits, was a memorable event for all those who were involved. That such a mission was being organised entirely outside the Government system created doubts about its feasibility in the minds of the fishermen as well as the organisers. As the mission progressed, all of us felt that we were part of a unique process that might even make history. Of course, the historical value of the mission will depend on the follow up and the subsequent developments. In fact, the mission has raised expectations among fishermen on both sides that may perhaps be difficult to meet. Come what may, the mission was a great learning experience for all concerned. It also demonstrated the potential for people-to-people dialogue as a way to solve certain knotty problems in resource sharing and management. As to what the mission tried to accomplish and what transpired, I can only say that the Indian fishermen went to Sri Lanka seeking a favour from their counterparts on the basis of close affinities, and came back with a lesson on resource management and sustainable development.”

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Comments

Comment from SIFFS Posted by Hapee de Groot on Friday 10 December 2004 12:19:06 am The case study is a good one and thanks for taking interest in SIFFS and putting so much effort. I must say that your explanation of the three tier structure is interesting. You have described it as a system for information sharing on the issues affecting fishermen and for finding solutions. It is quite true. Only we ourselves have not seen it so clearly! As far as the section on Millenium goals is concerned, I must say that SIFFS cannot really claim to be working for gender quality and things like that. All we do is to provide some services to fisherwomen's organisations connected with us. There are many tricky and difficult gender issues here and I am sure SIFFS will be found wanting if someone takes a closer look! I must also thank you for introducing me to the civil society building website. It is really an interesting site and am looking forward to visiting it regularly. Even though we did not conceptualise our work as civil society building, strengthening civil society is becoming a major requirement in our countries. In India, we badly need a re-negotiation of the roles of the State and Civil Society as the current system has outlived its utility and has become a constraint for a flowering of society. With regards, Vivek

SIFFS coordinates relief in India Posted by Julie Ferguson on Monday 03 January 2005 4:29:56 pm Hivos has made available a sum of Euro 250.000 for emergency relief in disaster areas following the tsunami in SE Asia. Relief efforts will run directly by Hivos local partners in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. For example, the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies (SIFFS) defends the interests of fishermen in South India, and will now actively mobilise all her channels towards the distribution of food, water, medicine, clothes and blankets to the victims of the region. SIFFS can count on her thousands of volunteers and members to make sure the aid is implemented effectively and in a coordinated fashion.

SIFFS opens website on tsunami and relief efforts Posted by Julie Ferguson on Thursday 27 January 2005 3:21:14 pm See http://www.tsunami2004-india.org/ for more.