The Africa fishing industry has been the center of attention in the Blue Economy discussions around the world, and in the evaluation of some of Africa’s major economic resources. The Africa Fishermen Foundation is Non-profit organisation based in Kenya, that champions for the involvement and representation of fishermen, especially small scale fishermen, in the ongoing Blue Economy discussions around the world.
In an interview with Fotophreak Magazine, Africa Fishermen Foundation Director, Mr. Clive Lupao, disclosed that they are participants in the ongoing TotalEnergies Startupper of the Year Challenge, where they have pitched their new project that is set to transform the fishing industry across Africa. By voting for this project, you will playing a huge role towards the conservation of marine resources, inclusivity of fishermen in the blue economy and raising the bar of technology and innovation in the fishing industry!
CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW! Voting ends on February 4th 2022. Vote Now!
Here is a sneak peak into the new technology driven project the Africa Fishermen Foundation is embarking on:
TotalEnergies Startupper: Describe in more detail your product/service project as well as your business model
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, is the single biggest existential threat to marine ecosystems, and sustainable fisheries globally. It threatens our economic security and the natural resources that are critical to global food security, putting law-abiding fishermen and seafood producers in Kenya, Africa and globally at a major risk. Our product aims to solve this challenge by leveraging on available technologies to allow consumers and industry stakeholders to verify, trace and share information about the origin and history of every marine product in the supply chain to the final consumer. The same application also equips fishermen with information about important weather patterns, financial services, fish migratory information, safety tools and direct market access to enable the small scale fishermen earn better wages by selling directly to the consumers through the application. The platform will have a different application for the fishermen and consumer.
TotalEnergies Startupper: What is the main problem you are trying to solve?
The main problem being solved by this application is the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) exploitation of marine resources. This has rendered the marine economy unsustainable, leading to exploitation of both consumers and small scale fishermen. This platform will ensure consumption of marine products acquired through sustainable means, while at the same time improving the economic and social welfare of small scale fishermen, who are hugely disadvantaged by the current state of affairs.
TotalEnergies Startupper: Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using your product/service
- Leads to the sustainable use and growth of marine ecosystem resources.
- Improves the social and economic welfare of small scale fishermen in the blue economy.
- Contributes positively to ocean and marine conservation.
- Reduces loss of life at sea, and provides a better emergency response mechanism.
TotalEnergies Startupper: Please describe who exactly your product/service is aimed at. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?
The target beneficiaries of my project are small scale fishermen, fish consumers and fish traders involved in the entire supply chain of fish from the source to the restaurant.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW! Voting ends on February 4th 2022. Vote Now!
TotalEnergies Startupper: Please describe the profile of the people who are working with you on this project (skills, experience, etc.)
My team profile is made of up: – Experts in logistics and supply chain management – Experienced fishermen – Researchers and marine scientists – Software developers and testers – Fisheries authorities and regulatory bodies
TotalEnergies Startupper: What skills and expertise do you currently lack in order to successfully carry your project forward?
We currently lack experienced software developers who have previously worked in a similar project before, especially using Artificial Intelligence, blockchain and geo-conferencing technologies.
TotalEnergies Startupper: If your project will improve the status of women, please specify how
My project will improve the status of women because they account for over 45% of human labor involved in the fisheries industry. The women mostly take part in fish harvesting, preparation and transport. A sustainable marine ecosystem would mean that these women will continue earning their income, supporting their families and growing their businesses. My project will also ensure reduced loss of life of fishermen, who are mostly male, and sometimes the bread winners of their families. The success of this project would mean more fishing families will stay complete, where both the man and woman contribute in raising their children. This will reduce the number of broken families, and ease the pressure on women, who would otherwise be left to manage their families alone.
TotalEnergies Startupper: Regarding the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that is the most important for your project, please specify how your project will contribute to this goal
My project will contribute to zero hunger because it majorly focuses on the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources. Fish and it’s products are consumed globally by millions of people every day, and adding to it’s conservation efforts means that it will always be available as an alternative source of protein for the human race. This comes at a time when several fish varieties are feared to be running out of stock in different water bodies, due to overfishing and lack of regulation.
TotalEnergies Startupper: How is your product/service project unique and innovative?
- It seeks to enhance sustainable use of marine resources which is majorly overlooked by other players.
- It provides a technological solution to solving the challenge of illegal, unreported and and unregulated fishing, which is still a major challenge globally.
- The application also seeks to improve the social and economic welfare of Fishermen which is majorly overlooked by other players.
- The application is easily adaptable in other countries hence a major opportunity for growth.
TotalEnergies Startupper: Who are your main competitors and how do you plan to stand out from them?
My main competitors are a companies that is mostly involved in offering cold storage solutions, logistics and distribution channels for fish obtained from fish farmers. I plan to stand out by focusing on open water fishermen, who are the majority, face more risks, produce much sweeter and popular fish in the market, and would therefore have a much bigger impact in society. We shall focus on delivering better services and putting sustainability at the core of our every process.
TotalEnergies Startupper: How do you plan to finance your project?
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- Venture capital investors
- Online crowdfunding
- Growth equity investors
- Family or personal savings (love money)
- Grant
- TotalEnergies Startupper: How would you use the TotalEnergies grant if you won the competition?I would use the TotalEnergies grand to:
- 1. Hire qualified personnel for research, software development and testing.
- 2. Laying down the logistical infrastructure needed.
- 3. Purchasing relevant equipment and machines.
- 4. Carrying out technical training of all system users.
- 5. System deployment
- 6. Marketing and advertising
CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW! Voting ends on February 4th 2022. Vote Now!
Get in touch with the Africa Fishermen Foundation via email on africafishermen@gmail.com and connect with their activities on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also donate to their ongoing Crowdfunding Campaign to raise money for donation of life jackets for Kenyan Fishermen.
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