POST HARVEST FISH LOSS ASSESSMENT

Pilot test of PHFLA at Quatre Soeurs, Mauritius

The SmartFish, an Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Programme, co- implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and funded by the European Union (EU) has been implementing a Post Harvest Fish Loss Assessment; use of mobile phones to collect data in some 9 countries - including Burundi, Djibouti, South Sudan, Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda. 

Last Wednesday 19th of February 2014, I was responsible to pilot test the PHFLA project here in Mauritius, more precisely at Quatre Soeurs where the Fishermen Investment Trust (FIT) had launched pilot test of cage culture of Cordonnier fish in collaboration with the SmartFish Programme. The pilot test was carried out among some 10 fishermen and had of main objectives to review the PHFLA processes for implementation in the other countries. 

Clicke HERE for some publications of the past PHFLA project of the FAO

 FAO Consultant; Mr. Ansen Ward & CEO of the Fishermen Investment Trust
Photo courtesy: Mr. Ansen Ward

The pilot test was carried out in the presence of the FAO Consultant, Mr. Ansen Ward in collaboration with Mr. S. Hanoomanjee, CEO of the Fishermen Investment Trust (FIT) and with the technical support and help of Ludovic Baya, Technical Assistant at the FIT.

Interviewing fishermen at Quatre Soeurs to find out about any post harvest loss of fish
Photo courtesy: Mr. Ansen Ward

Fortunately, it was noticed that none of the fishermen had major physical loss or damage of their fish after harvest. It is good to note that icing/ refrigeration and proper storage facilities at the disposal of fishermen lead to a lower or no post harvest loss of fish compared to the other countries where the project was actually undertaken and where high losses were noted.

It would however be wiser for the authorities to undertake this post harvest fish loss assessment at all the fishing areas or stations to find out about any causes of post harvest loss of fish and take immediate actions to remediate the situation, if any.