South Africa’s 3,000-kilometre coastline is home to a rich diversity of marine life, home to more than 10,000 recorded species of plants and animals. For generations, small-scale fishers have relied on these rich ocean waters to feed their families and sustain their livelihoods.
But today, that way of life is under threat. Many small-scale fishing communities are grappling with declining fish stocks, climate-related weather shocks and a lack of access to markets, infrastructure and reliable information. At the same time, 3.7 million South Africans face inadequate or severely inadequate access to food.
Supporting sustainable small-scale fisheries is an opportunity, not only to conserve ocean biodiversity, but to strengthen food security, improve incomes and build long-term climate resilience in coastal areas.
Small-scale fishers stand on a boat at the pier. Photo: ABALOBI
From shore to store: Boosting climate resilience and livelihoods for coastal fishers
One organization helping to lead this transformation is ABALOBI, a South African non-profit organization that builds up small-scale fisheries by giving them access to valuable weather data, financial information and market trends for their catch. With support from the UNDP-Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA), they are equipping small-scale fishers with tools and training to sustainably manage marine resources, strengthen incomes and improve access to nutritious food.
“I know what it’s like to have no food because it is not a fishing day, for a mother to not even have a slice of bread to feed her children. The sea provides for us, now we are able to improve the livelihoods and well-being of fisher families, so that no child has to be hungry.” – Solene Smith, fisher from the Langebaan community.
Solene Smith, a small-scale fisher from the Langebaan community. Photo: ABALOBI
One of ABALOBI’s first interventions was bringing real-time weather data to the hands of small-scale fishers—vital information that has traditionally been out of reach for them. With this mobile access to accurate forecasts, fishers can now plan safer, more efficient days at sea. ABALOBI has also developed a digital marketplace platform that uses traceability technology to guide fishers toward higher-value catches and better prices, while avoiding overexploited and unsustainable stocks. Each catch is digitally recorded and traced back to its origin, offering consumers fully traceable seafood with a story and a name behind it.
By encouraging the harvest of underfished, ecologically-resilient species, ABALOBI supports marine ecosystems to recover from overfishing, safeguarding long-term marine biodiversity. At the same time, the organization promotes traditional, low-impact fishing practices that draw on fishers to use their own tools and knowledge. Combined with improved market access, cold-chain logistics and growing demand for “catching with a story,” product value has increased by 35 percent. When fishers receive fair prices, there is no need to overfish, creating a win for both people and planet.
"This is a movement to change and reimagine the story that has been told about small-scale fishers. I imagine this being something that is very big all around the continent, because small-scale fishers are here to stay.” – Yanga Gceya, storyteller and master of ceremonies.
Fisher Wilfred Poggenpoel checks the online marketplace. Photo: ABALOBI
Fisher Theunis Newman fishes with a hand line. Photo: ABALOBI
Local ocean stewards driving climate solutions
Small-scale fishers hold valuable knowledge about the health of the ocean. From pollution to productivity, they observe firsthand the state of coastal ecosystems and understand the vulnerabilities of their own communities.
As ABALOBI grew, it recognized the broader range of challenges fishers face. When a household’s next meal is uncertain, saving or repaying debts becomes almost impossible. Financial insecurity often becomes a barrier to adopting sustainable or ethical practices.
To address this, ABALOBI refined its approach by integrating financial services and prioritizing social protection for fishers and their families. For instance, the organization found that many fisher households hold multiple, costly funeral policies that are hard to consolidate, making insurance another major burden.
In response, ABALOBI built partnerships with finance and insurance providers. Today, fishers can access free debt management services, savings support and consolidated funeral policy coverage, thanks to a collaboration with a South African financial services company.
One of the most accessible tools developed is Lobi, a WhatsApp-based support bot. Fishers can use Lobi to manage savings, apply for business cash advances and explore financial services, all from their mobile phones.
Photo: LOBI Fisher App image from ABALOBI’s Facebook
All post-harvest quality workers employed in ABALOBI’s Community Hub centres also receive disability protection, ensuring they have coverage in case of illness or injury. Regular training seminars provide fishers and fish workers with financial education and practical guidance on using these services.
“We are more than just a community or organization; it is a place where fisher people can really reclaim the dignity that they had. That changes the narrative of how we think about small-scale fishers in many communities in the African continent and the contribution they create allowing us to have a healthy ocean.” – Yanga Gceya.
A fisher includes data of the catch in the LOBI Fisher App. Photo: ABALOBI
Tangible results for people and planet
In just one year, approximately 2,200 fishers participating in the ABALOBI programme saw their household food security improve considerably. This is attributed to increased income from their catch—ranging from 100 to 300 percent—and better financial planning.
Together, fishers supported by ABALOBI have helped feed almost 80,000 people through community-supported fisheries sales, representing over 7,000 households that have been benefitted nationwide. Importantly, 93 percent of their catch comprises ecologically resilient species, contributing to healthier marine ecosystems alongside stronger local economies.
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Supported by financial contributions from the Adaptation Fund and the European Union, the UNDP-AFCIA programme has awarded 44 micro and small grants to locally led organizations across 33 countries worldwide, accelerating their innovative solutions to build resilience in the most vulnerable communities.
UNDP-AFCIA is one of two featured programmes under the Adaptation Innovation Marketplace (AIM), a multi-stakeholder strategic platform that promotes scaled-up adaptation at the local level.
