SUFIA presents PSE Survey key learnings

The SUFIA Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Survey results were presented by SUFIA RTI during the SUFIA PSE In-Briefing Session with the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat on 26 March 2021. A summary of the key learnings from the survey revealed that: (1) many companies may consider providing technical assistance, and many want to develop joint projects; (2) the private sector, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, requires additional support in transitioning to sustainable fisheries or aquaculture management, including assistance in accessing financial services, improving tools/technology, and capacity development; (3) blue economy initiatives and programs supporting women and youth for sustainable livelihoods in fishing communities are areas of interest for all stakeholders; (4) universities have proposed wide-ranging research projects, e.g., research at sea, population studies, testing bycatch reduction devices in artisanal shrimp fisheries, and studies on human impacts on marine ecosystems; (5) potential partners interested in promoting sustainable, community-based tourism include Local Alike, a small tour operator, and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), which can work with coastal or small-scale fisheries; (6) NGOs interested in potential collaboration include the Asian Food Improvement Collaborative and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership; (7) gaps exist between private sector versus government and NGO priorities, e.g., the private sector focuses on improvements in fish handling, processing, traceability, and market access, while the government and NGOs prioritize data collection and fisheries management; and (8) a number of companies who participated in the survey cannot engage in partnership activities at this time due to the pandemic, conflicting priorities, or other limitations. The survey received a total of 172 responses, mostly from Thailand, the US, and Malaysia.