Djibouti fisheries development project

Evaluation covers the period 3/80-l2/8l and is based on review of documents, site visits, and interviews and group discussions with project staff, beneficiaries, and other concerned personnel. Major progress has been made in the area of institution-building, supplying of commodities, and assistance to the fishing industry as a whole. However, a well-defined training program for staff and fishermen is yet to be established and specialized assistance in such areas as boat building and oyster culturing is still evolving. Still needed are a detailed marketing study at new retail outlets and increased infrastructure. Direct intervention and management assistance have helped ACPM grow; the focus of future efforts will be on helping ACPM attain managerial and financial self-sufficiency -- a task for which USAID/D assistance will be welcome. Fish production and sales have increased an estimated l5-20% over the l980 average, although whether this has been due to improved fishing or greater numbers of fishermen is not clear. Fish consumption has also increased, as evident from the fish distribution projects in the interior, new major buyers, and an increase in retail customers. The Djibouti Government has shown its commitment to fisheries development by almost doubling its budgetary allowance to the Fisheries Department. Project experience has taught that close donor cooperation is needed to avoid duplication of efforts and counter-productive inputs; that flexibility in budgeting commitments and in amending agreements is needed to adapt to changing circumstances; and that commitments of resources or even statements about their availability should not be made until it is fairly clear that certain inputs can be provided. Action decisions are to: continue monitoring contractor progress towards completion of assistance goals as stated in the Pro-Ag; coordinate with other donors to avoid duplicating institution-building efforts; and study the possibility of helping to establish an appropriate accounting system and to procure a vessel for fish transport and exploratory/production fishing.