Notes on RRAs in Fisherfolk Development

These notes and the attatched correspondence concern the adoption of RRA methods for use in projects involving fishing communities in South Asia. They relate to the development of an RRA component in the work of Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP), an Indian NGO. It is noted that "RRA has not been seriously attempted in fisherfolk communities or utilized in the formulation of fisheries development programmes". In investigating the applicability of RRA to fishing communities and the marine environment, the following problems are identified: (i) the mobility of marine resources is unlike the resources of other rural communities, and may present problems for the use of RRA; (ii) since most fisherfolk also undertake other activities, widening the scope of multidisciplinary teams may be necessary; (iii) the cooperation of various government departments may be needed to draw on wide expertise. The objectives of BOBP in adopting RRA are discussed, and the setting of a proposed RRA activity described, with gonsideration to the use of RRA. Finer details of the proposed activity are also given, but are less likely to be of interest. Attached is correspondence between BOBP and IIED concerning the proposed activities.