Community Development at Bulili Village through Coastal Economic Improvement and Mangrove Restoration

 
An example of a mud crab rearing pond in Bulili village, Pohuwato, Gorontalo province

An example of a mud crab rearing pond in Bulili village, Poh ... , Bulili village, Duhiadaa District, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province © MFF IUCN, 2014

Objectives

To restore mangrove ecosystem and to improve community livelihood through production of fish floss and mud-crab rearing

Background

Bulili village is located in Tomini Bay, and its residents are mostly fishers. Fish, crab, and shrimp are caught from the bay as well as from the surrounding mangrove forest; the products are sold at nearby markets and other provinces. Most of Bulili village's livelihood are mangrove dependent; however, mangrove forests are still continually converted for commercial use (mostly for aquaculture ponds). Since the livelihood of Bulili village largely depends on mangrove forests, so conserving the mangrove ecosystem is important.  

The remaining mangrove areas in Bulili village are mostly resulted from various planting programme caried out by local government, NGO, and local communities. Unfortunately, most of the natural mangrove areas have been converted into fish ponds, settlement and rice field.

The settlement pattern which mostly distributed along coast line has led into the frequent flooding events, due to the high tide and river water overflow. To overcome this problem, local government has built a concrete dam along affected areas. It is indicated that the building has impcated negatively into the growth of mangrove vegetation in the rehabilitated areas.

Target beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries of the project are 20 members of the Bulili village women's group and 50 fishers in Bulili village.

Outputs

  1. 75,000 mangrove seedlings were planted with 67% growth rate to rehabilitate 7.5 ha coastline area. However, due to current  direction change and coastline shift, about 15% of seedlings were buried in the sand;
  2. 40 members of women’s group received training on fish floss production and packaging. The fish floss was then marketed on the local market. However, there was no available data explaining the fish floss production improved community income;
  3. 5 community groups were trained on mud-crab husbandry and 5 units of mud crab culture were established. However, there was no available data explaining the mud crab culture improved community income.

Accomplishments and challenges

  • The most observed threat to the planted mangrove was disturbance from domestic animal, most notably cow and goat;
  • Training on mangrove rehabilitation technique was conducted, participated by 25 people represented villagers of 2 villages, local government officials, mangrove working group and MFF grantees. In collaboration with ELTI of Yale University and Blue Forest Foundation, Makassar.
  • Training on the production of shredded fish (fish loss), participated by 40 women group members
  • Training on crab fattening, facilitated by district’s fishery office. Continued by building of crab cages
  • One Yascita Staff and 2 group members were participated on the Ecological Manroves Restoration training in Makassar, South Sulawesi, facilitated by Blue Forest Foundation;A total of 75,000 Rhizopora sp seedlings were prepared in nursery, of which 54,720  seedlings were planted in the rehabilitation site.
  • Total rehabilitation areas were about 10 ha
  • Two women groups had been established, focused on the production of shredded fish (fish floss) and crab fattening;
  • There was a big challenge to change the community’s perspective that the project was not a charity programme, but having broader objective to facilitate the sustainable resilience of community, especially in relation to the protection from disaster as well as improving livelihood. The improvement of community’s understanding partly was done through the assignment of a Facilitator staying among community settlement and intensively provide room for direct dialogue and communication with communities. During the direct communication, Yascita found out some early difficulties in finding times to communicate with community members as most of them were engaging on fishing activities on a daily basis.

Contributions to cross-cutting themes

- Climate change and disaster risk reduction

75,000 mangrove seedlings were planted  to rehabilitate 7.5 ha coastline area. This planting activity is conducted to prevent flood and reduce its impact.

- Gender equality

40 members of women’s group received training on fish floss production and packaging.

 

Lessons Learned

  • In relation to mud crab culture, the origin of the fingerlings should be well noticed as well as how they are treated in the hatchery. Otherwise, grantee could purchase ill-treated fingerlings with low survival rate;
  • Training provided before the project implementation can significantly increase grantee's capacity and experience.

Project Facts

Country

Location

Bulili Village, Duhaidaa District, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province

Topic

Duration

6th May 2014 to 5th May 2015

MFF Grant Amount

IDR 197,775,000

Co-financing Partner

RIEI Charles Darwin University, Australia

Implementing Partner

Yayasan Insan Cita (YASCITA)

Perum Marisa Indah, Jl. Mangga No 7 Desa Palopo Kec.

Marisa District, Pohuwato

Contact person: Mr Ansar Akuba, Project manager

Mobile: +6285256848585

Email address: ansar.yascita@gmail.com

Related Images

  • Fish floss package, a product made by women's group
  • The construction of mud-crab cages
  • Mangrove rehabilitation site

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