Turning fish waste into profit
The villagers of Eretan Kulon in Indramayu District, West Java, rely heavily on fishing for their livelihoods. Multidimensional poverty not only affects their quality of life but also places pressure on the marine environment.
Fishermen often catch low-value fish accidentally, and, lacking the knowledge and skills to deal with them, throw them away to die. The decomposing fish release bacteria into the water and sand, contributing to shoreline pollution and harmful algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels and harm marine ecosystems. The uncertainty and risks associated with fishing also force fishermen’s wives to seek work abroad, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and physical or sexual abuse.
The project supports 50 fishermen’s wives who are members of the Mina Bahari Cooperative, a community group that manages fish caught by fishermen in Indramayu.
Working with the Mina Bahari Cooperative, the project helps these women to manufacture, market and sell innovative, nutritious food products made from fish that would otherwise be discarded. They gain skills in business management, product development, digital marketing and financial management, enabling them to generate sustainable incomes and reduce their dependence on their husbands.
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