Fisherman of the Ne Century

Our Organization

FarmABILITY

What is the name of your solution?

Fisherman of the Ne Century

Provide a one-line summary of your solution.

To reduce emission of emissions from Lake Victoria by empowering fishermen to start using sustainable solar lighting technology

What specific problem are you solving?

Pollution and high levels of carbon dioxide caused by fishing using fuel`s lamps and generator in Lake Victoria have had a significant impact on lake ecology as well as climate change in areas around the lake in Tanzania. According to a 2021 study by the United Nations, Lake Victoria produces more carbon dioxide emissions than kerosene and petrol used by fishermen. (https://news.un.org/sw/story/2020/06/1092082). However, statistics show that 51% of Lake Victoria is located in Tanzania where in the Mara region, about 25% of jobs depend on Lake Victoria. The impact is huge every year where the study conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2015 showed that the fishing industry in the Mara Region in provided direct employment to 24220 fishermen which is less than 1158 compared to 25368 fishermen in 2021. This is because of fisheries that adhere to the principles of environmental stewardship that have led to the decline of the lake ecosystem as a whole which has affected employment opportunities each year. In addition to the ecological degradation of the lake, this affects other sectors such as fish processors, fishmongers and traders, fishermen owners, boat craftsmen, fishermen and fishermen, mother nutrition etc.) By this logic, the industry also provided employment to at least 96,880 for the year 2014https://mara.go.tz/economic-activity/fishing There is a great need to make concerted efforts to care for the environment and climate change in order to improve people's lives. However, significant efforts have been made and continue to be implemented by International Organizations and Governments including the UN General Assembly resolution dated 5 December 2017 proposed by FAO on sustainable fishing and declared June 5 each year to be an international day of protest illegal fishing. The first commemoration took place last year 2018. Similarly, for the year 2020 Tanzania through the Ministry of Fisheries and Fisheries has made improvements to the Fisheries Regulations of 2019 number 292 including the Government allowing the use of 90-50 watt solar lights in fishing activities in Lake Victoria to protect ecology and the environment. Also, the Government has banned the use of Generator in fishing due to its serious impact on the environment. Thus, the Smart Fisherman's Century Project is of great importance in increasing those efforts in areas located in the rural area that have not been reached by this education. In line with Millennium Development Goal 7, it calls for affordable energy technologies such as renewable energy so that citizens can afford and contribute to reducing carbon emissions and ultimately protecting the climate. 

What is your solution?

The importance of using solar lighting technology in fisheries will address the potential for ecological degradation as well as climate change in the rural fishing community. Its cost is affordable that uses a 50- to 90-watt battery to last more than 15 hours. In addition, Fisherman of the Century Century Project is expected to be implemented in 170 fisheries centers located in the rural area of Mara region which will reach 25000 fishermen. However, now this idea is backed by the United Nations Environment Program, UNEP in Tanzania which encourages fishermen to eliminate the use of kerosene  and petrol which are major source of carbon dioxide. Thus, FarmABILITY will work with local and regional governments to educate and empower fishing communities, especially those most marginalized, about the importance of this technology. The organization will form groups of fishermen in these areas by providing theoretical and practical education to facilitate coordination of project objectives. Similarly, we will fund these groups by establishing battery charging stations and solar panels where a minimum of 500 Tanzanian Shillings will be charged per battery charged to every user. This will take place for the duration of 60 days to allow the continuation of the project to another community that has not been reached in along the shore of the lake. It is interesting that, through this charge, at the end of the term the user will offered that battery and the lamp as his property. We hope that this will be the catalyst for a lasting change for the fishing community in cooperating in reducing the use of carbon dioxide.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

Citizens engaged in Fisheries mainly in the rural area around Lake Victoria in the Mara Region. These fishermen are in all genders, women and men who use fossil fuels such as kerosene, petrol and diesel in their fishing activities. To transform this system which is a source of pollution and water pollution in Lake Victoria, our Solve Team will advocate for change and build their capacity to recognize these harmful impacts and ultimately persuade them to change the system and start using Solar Light which is a great companion to environmental protection and climate. Through this technology, the fishing community will benefit from increased income including affordable operating costs for fishing operations, saving production time, increased employment among fishermen, increased fish due to declining water and environmental pollution, global warming and increased income from increased production.

How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?

I am glad to have a project team of a total of 7 people who were able to participate in our previous solar lighting project in fishing, so they will use the experience they gained to successfully implement this project. Also, 4 members come from Fishery families and have been involved in fishing activities as a source of income for families. Thus, these people are ready to work in a rural environment with a fishing background. Similarly, one of the project team members is involved in a small 5 solar lighting project with 120 fishermen who voluntarily decide to abstain from the use of kerosene in fishing activities. Similarly, the 4 team staff in the project team come from fishing communities in the Mara Region, so it will be easier in conveying the message and education to the community. At the same time, it is interesting that one of the members of the project team is a solar technician so I am proud to have him as he will assist in solar technology and installation throughout the project. Similarly, one member of the team is a Fisheries Officer from who is an Employee of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. He will represent the government in the implementation of the project which will be a bridge of information between the organization and the government. The project leader has extensive communication experience, so will ensure that there is a flow of information for everyone within the project team. Also, the issue of gender is a priority as three participants are women and the other 3 participants are men. Gender equity is important to facilitate access, service delivery and access to information and needs for all genders of fishing communities.

Through the 2019 Fisheries Policy Guidelines and the 2020 Fisheries Regulations Amendment, we believe that the project team will adhere to this guideline in addressing climate change challenges in fishing with a sense of freedom and equity in implementing community's inputs. , ideas and agendas that will emerge in project implementation.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Provide scalable, high-quality monitoring of carbon stocks in soil, peat, and marine environments, including at depth.

Where our solution team is headquartered or located:

Our solution's stage of development:

How many people does your solution currently serve?

120

Why are you applying to Solve?

Our Solution team is writing this project asking Solve to assist in Technical, Financial and Cultural matters. On the Technical side, the Project Team has shortage of professionals as has only one and so we face challenges in proving multi-technical service per time. Also, lack of funding has been a barrier to affording the cost of equipment, people and transportation so financial assistance is needed to meet the success and goal of the project. Similarly, the need for assistance to change the attitude of the fishing community from using fossils fuel as a major challenge as some still do not believe that solar lightings are more stable than kerosene and petrol lamps. Through the presence of experts in and financial support that meets the needs of the project, we can certainly make significant changes in reducing the issue of air pollution in Lake Victoria.

In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?

Financial (e.g. improving accounting practices, pitching to investors)

Who is the Team Lead for your solution?

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)