Quarterly Report 1st October 2017 – 31st December 2017

This includes strengthening the enabling conditions for improved governance, improved access to science to support decision-making processes, and identifying and adopting measures to increase resilience to climate change. The project focuses on the priorities already identified by the USAID/COMFISH project in the framework of the 'Feed the Future' Initiative (FtF), climate change, and biodiversity conservation. It also retains the integrated approach of the USAID/COMFISH project in addressing crosscutting themes such as capacity building in governance, gender, and empowerment of women processors, and adaptation to climate change impacts in the fishing sector. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, assistance was provided to several ministries to implement three main actions. These included assistance to organize a meeting to update the National Platform for Fisheries and Climate Change, help implement the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Fisheries developed in 2017, and continuing preparation of the U.S. study tour and exchange of experiences in Washington, D.C. for the Ministry of Fisheries on IUU fishing. Capacity strengthening continued with institutions and stakeholders during the quarter. At the institutional level, the partnership framework with the Directorate of Literacy and National Languages (DALN) was operationalized with the opening of thirteen functional literacy classrooms for women processors at project sites. Synergy was further developed with the CINSERE project and the DPSP in the context of establishing the monitoring unit of the early warning and safety at sea system. The national Local Artisanal Fisheries Council (CLPA) network was also provided with technical and financial assistance by the project to draft a roadmap that will help with CLPA action plan implementation. Additionally, the project team attended a sub-regional workshop hosted by the USAID/WA-BiCC project to share with partner countries the experience of Senegal on integrating climate change adaptation into national and local fisheries sector planning documents. The project's objectives are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the world's oceans, seas, and marine resources. The project's activities are also consistent with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of Senegal, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The project's progress is monitored and evaluated through a Performance Management Plan (PMP), which outlines the project's objectives, indicators, and targets. The project's results are also reported quarterly to the USAID/WA-BiCC project, which provides technical assistance and support to the project. The project's extension phase is expected to continue until 2023, with a focus on implementing the priorities already identified by the USAID/COMFISH project. The project's activities will continue to be aligned with the SDG 14 and the NDC of Senegal, with a focus on conserving and sustainably using the world's oceans, seas, and marine resources.