Feasibility Report on the Fisheries Sector in Puntland

The following study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the development potential of the fisheries sector in Puntland, in terms of growth potential and actions/interventions required for further development. The assessment is part of UNDP’s efforts to improve livelihoods and promote economic diversification that form part of the UNDP Strategy for Poverty Reduction and Economic Recovery (PRER).

The objectives of UNDP Somalia Poverty Reduction and Economic Recovery Programme are designed to support economic recovery and development, which in time will contribute to peace and reconciliation in Somalia. Priority needs vary by region but flexible objectives and an areabased, participatory approach allow UNDP to respond to the specific needs of each region. The programme specifically seeks to:

• Improve livelihood opportunities through skills enhancement to stimulate sustainable economic recovery and poverty alleviation in Somalia.
• Strengthen the capacity of local authorities, relevant institutions and local partners in terms of data collection designed to provide baseline data for economic recovery interventions.
• Support opportunities for local authorities and communities to determine their own rehabilitation and development needs and priorities through a participatory and knowledge based planning process;
• Foster and promote opportunities for private sector development; and
• Continue to strengthen and support UN inter-agency cooperation, information sharing and bridging the gap between relief and development.

The proposed fishery sector review conforms to the framework of sustainable human development and contributes to the achievement of the first Millennium Development Goal: to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. The activity is envisioned to provide the basis for future interventions, building on the existing knowledgebase and systematic data collection and analysis of the development challenges of the sector.

The fishery sector review will explore the strengths and weaknesses of the sector in Puntland and identify and analyze opportunities and threats. The principal output of the sector study will be an overview of development options and potential, outlining the main constraints and the emerging opportunities, including environmental challenges. This overview will provide the basis for a possible strategy to be subsequently formulated in close consultation with the fishing communities, private sector, relevant Ministries and other stakeholders in Puntland. The sector review will work on previous assessments, including studies conducted by the European Commission and other international/national agencies.