SUFIA presents PSE Survey key learnings

The SUFIA Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Survey Results were presented by SUFIA RTI during the SUFIA PSE In-Briefing Session with the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat on 26 March 2021. A summary of the key learnings from the survey revealed that (1) many of the companies may consider providing technical assistance and many wants to develop a joint project; (2) the private sector, especially small-medium enterprises, requires additional support transitioning to ‘sustainable fisheries or aquaculture’ management and requires support in accessing financial services, improving tools/ technology, and capacity development; (3) blue economy initiatives and those supporting women and youth for sustainable livelihood in the fishing communities are the areas of interest by all stakeholders; (4) universities have proposed wide-ranging researcg projects e.g. research at sea, population studies, testing by catch reduction devices in artisanal shrimp fisheries, human impact on marine ecosystem, etc.; (5) Potetial partners that are interested in promoting sustainable, community base tourism are Local Alike, a small tour operator and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), that cna work with coastal or small fisheries; (6) NGOs interested for potential collaboration are Asian Food Improvement Collaborative and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership;(7) Gap exists between private sector vs government and NGOs priorities, e.g. private sector is focused on improvement to fish handling, processing, traceability and access to markets while the government and NGOs are prioritizing “data collection and fisheries management.” and (8) A number of companies who participated in the survey cannot do partnership activities ata this time due to pandemic, conflict of priorities and inability to do so. The survey received a total of 172 responses mostly coming from Thailand, US and Malaysia.