Fishermen’s Futures: Script

Narration:
Fishermen cast their nets into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Yemen.

These waters are home to one of the world’s richest fisheries…yet until recently those who fished here were desperately poor.

Many used ancient fishing techniques and lived in caves like these without electricity or running water.

Today, auctions like this one have dramatically improved local fishermen’s fortunes. 

Sponsored by fishermen’s cooperatives, which began forming five years ago thanks to an innovative economic development project, daily auctions in 15 coastal communities now attract hundreds of traders, bidding to supply fresh fish to customers in Saudi Arabia, Japan, Europe and North America.

Strap: Abdalla Rahman, UN agency IFAD
“Before the project the household income is estimate at 100 US dollars a year. Now, we estimated it is between 500 and 1,500 a year. Which is a substantial increase.”

Narration:
Salem Mabark Salime has joined a cooperative in Quishn. As a member, he’s eligible for credit which he used recently to buy a new boat and motor…increasing his catch and profits.
 
In villages along the coast, thousands of fishermen are doing the same, creating an economic ripple that is spreading throughout the region.

In Quishn profits generated by the cooperative have sparked new businesses and construction. They’ve also been used to fund schools, a women’s centre and an electric power plant --- linking residents to the outside world.

But all this success has its drawbacks…thousands of fishermen from outside the region are poring in and the future of the fishery may be at stake.

Narration:
Hoshin Al-Sakaf is a government scientist who’s been surveying fishermen. He says as many as 7,000 boats are on the water some days and fish yields are dropping.

Strap: Hoshin Al-Sakaf, Marine Science Resource Centre
“Look what happened in 2005 there was a good yield but 2006 was not good.”

Unidentified Fisherman:
“If we continue fishing as we are now there won’t be any fish left. We won’t be able to export and we need the foreign currency to maintain our economy.”

Narration:
Once again, the fishermen’s cooperatives offer hope for the future. They’ve recently begun licencing fishermen, monitoring their yields and insisting on sustainable practices.

Strap: Abdalla Rahman, UN agency IFAD
“Fish is the second most important export of Yeman after oil. It’s estimated that 60 percent comes from artisanal fishermen along the Arabian Sea. So it’s crucial that we don’t over exploit the resource.”

Narration:
This is James Heer of IFAD TV for CNN World Report.