Workshop on Network professional associations of Small Scale Fisheries in North Africa

Statement for the establishment of the Tunisian Network of Small Scale Fisheries

Tunis 28/2/2014

1. Taking in consideration the importance of the of small scale fisheries in Tunisia, 2. And the critical role of the small scale fisheries in the reduction of unemployment and poverty and providing important sources of livelihood, 3. And considering that the small scale fisheries issue is still marginalized and identifies many deficiencies, and the smalls producers was still working in difficult circumstances, 4. And depending on what was concluded in the semi-regional workshop to support professional organizations of traditional marine fishing in North African countries held in Bizerte from 24 to 26 September 2013, the participants were unanimous for the creation of The North African Network for small scale fisheries including associations and professional organizations, in order to exchange expertise and experiences. The participants also agreed during the workshop on the need to accelerate the establishment of the network, 5. In the light of the workshop about the Associations and Professional Organizations Network of small scale fisheries in North Africa, held on 28 February 2014 in Tunisia (EL Mechtel Hotel), which included all participants of marine fishing sector in Tunisia : central and regional departments, scientific research departments and representatives of civil society, the Associations and Professional Organizations agreed on the following :

The establishment of the Tunisian network of small scale fisheries in order to exchange expertise and experiences and the empowerment of traditional fishing sector, access to the drafts statute of the Tunisian network of small scale fisheries, Creation of a national body with a large representation from the three Tunisian fishing areas (according to dispatching of the access to fish wealth) and according to the attached list of nominated (voted by the participants) The constituent body of the network will spared the networks statute, gathers comments and proposals and membership forms, and propose them at the first meeting within a month from now,
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 The constituent body ensure the development of infrastructure for the network and the conclusion of the founding act within 6 months. We emphasis on the importance that the actors of this national network commit to : Facilitate and promote the integration of various professional organizations of small scale fisheries in the country, and also supporting associations, Convergence and coordination between the various institutions of central and regional associations on the one hand and small scale fisheries associations, on the other, Supporting the consultation and all public and associations efforts aiming at the development of the small scale fisheries sector and its environment and the improvement of living conditions for smalls producers, The defense of smalls producers, interests and fight against clandestine and unorganized fishing, Search for financial and technical resources for proper functioning and sustainability of the network and the planned actions, Work and cooperate with international and regional organizations in order to rationalize the exploitation of fish resources and to use for the benefit of the society, with a special attention to the categories with limited income.

A list of associations and complex development of fishing constituent of the body's constituent Tunisian Network of small scale fisheries 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Complex development of fishing Raoued (Ariana) Complex development of fishing Ajim (Djerba) Complex development of fishing Ghanouch (Gabes) Complex development of fishing Ben Guerdane (Mednine) Complex development of fishing Houmet Souk (Djerba) Association Fisherman of environmental development (Zarzis) Tunisian Association for the development of small scale fisheries Association for Preservation of Antiquities and Heritage Boughrara (Mednine)
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9. Business Services Cooperative basic fishing Medenine 10.Association Jlij of the marine environment A list of associations and complex development of fishing participating in the workshop 1. Association training centers in the fishing sector 2. Association protection of Djerba island 3. Association for the Defense traditional fishing Skhira (Sfax) 4. Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries 5. Complex development of the fishing Ouled Ezzedine (Kerkennah) 6. Complex development of fishing Raoued (Ariana) 7. Complex development of fishing Ajim (Djerba) 8. Complex development of fishing Ghanouch (Gabes) 9. Complex development of fishing Ben Guerdane (Mednine) 10.Complex development of fishing Houmet Souk (Djerba) 11.Association Fisherman of environmental development (Zarzis) 12.Tunisian Association for the development of small scale fisheries 13.Association for Preservation of Antiquities and Heritage Boughrara (Mednine) 14.Business Services Cooperative basic fishing Medenine 15.Association Jlij of the marine environment