UNDP Yemen: From catch to consumption: Supporting the fishery sector in Yemen

In many communities of Yemen, families struggle to provide enough ingredients to prepare daily meals. Food insecurity is an issue across the country, which is still reeling from decades of protracted conflict.

In response to Yemen’s deepening food insecurity crisis, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the World Bank’s International Development Association, the Public Work Project (PWP), and Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service (SMEPS) to implement the Sustainable Fishery Development in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SFISH) Project. SFISH aims to improve economic opportunities, increase food security, and provide effective management of fishery production in Yemen. The project will benefit over 5,000 individuals involved in the fishery sector. 

Mohammed: A fisherman by birth

Mohammed is a fisherman from the Brom Mayfa District of Hadramout Governate in Yemen. He is married with five children and the main breadwinner for his family. For income to survive, as with thousands of other artisanal fishermen who ply their trade in Yemen's coastal waters, he is completely reliant upon fishing. 

It is a tough and risky way to make a living and Mohammed faces numerous dangers on a daily basis; not least being at the mercy of the sea and changing weather patterns. For this reason, it is essential he has good quality equipment, including a reliable outboard motor and a good boat. However, due to economic difficulties, he has not been able to replace his outboard motor, originally purchased in 2007, and now has far exceeded its life span. This restricts Mohammed’s fishing to coastal areas, preventing him from venturing into deeper waters where he would be likely to increase his catch.

“I have had this engine since 2007, and I leave it to you to calculate its age. It has exhausted me greatly as it does not allow me to venture far out into the sea to catch abundant and diverse types of fish," shares Mohammed.

The Sustainable Fisheries Development in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SFISH) Project has extended a lifeline to fisherfolk such as Mohammed by providing targeted learning and capacity development. The topics are based upon the needs identified by the fisherfolk themselves and include both simple financial business management as well as vocational activities such as fish handling, engine maintenance and health and safety.

Following completion of the learning programme, Mohammed received a grant, allowing him to purchase a new outboard motor. This coupled with his new training will support a more secure future for Mohammed’s small fishing enterprise. 

Mohammed notes, “I am overjoyed today, and I have never experienced such happiness in my entire life. I have never received any support before, so I am very, very happy. This engine will allow me to travel great distances, catch many fish, and sail anytime I want, day or night. There is no obstacle preventing me from succeeding now.”

Anwaar: Championing a nautical legacy.

Anwaar, a 28-year-old woman also from Brom Mayfa District in Hadhramaut Governorate, is supporting the fishing sector by processing catch from fisherfolk such as Mohammed. 

Anwaar views her profession not merely as a means of sustenance, but as a proud legacy passed down through generations. Following her father's death and her mother’s illness, she took on key family responsibilities, continuing their tradition in the fishing industry.

Starting a new fish product business in a city where most people are already engaged in the sector poses significant challenges. 

“Here in Brom Mayfa, establishing a fishing business is different. The market is saturated, and competition is fierce," Anwaar explains. 

However, through training provided by UNDP’s local partner SMEPS under the SFISH Project, she gained valuable insights into market research, competition, and seizing seasonal opportunities.

The training also equipped Anwaar with skills in producing over eight different types of seafood products, enhancing her ability to navigate the fluctuating prices of certain fish. Anwaar received a grant through the SFISH project, allowing her to successfully purchase and process raw materials, turning them into market-ready products. 

Inspired by her father’s renowned dish, "Haneeth," traditionally cooked in a "Tanour" oven, Anwaar carries on his legacy by offering the same unique flavour that had earned him many loyal customers. By doing so, she secures a niche in the market, particularly during Ramadan, when demand for her products peaks.

Anwaar named her business "Ba-Salom for Haneeth," honouring her family’s legacy in the industry. This venture has allowed her to afford her mother’s medical treatment and support her family.

Reflecting on her journey, Anwaar expresses her gratitude, "I could never have afforded all the necessary equipment on my own. The support I received motivated me to start producing and selling within a month." 

Anwaar is now dedicated to making this business her sole source of income, honouring the years her father and grandfather spent at sea by continuing their legacy.

More information: Sustainable Fishery Development in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden