Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Mapping the Sea: Knowledge for Natural Resources Management

With loss of life from the devastating tsunami of 2004, knowledge of fishing grounds around Aceh was reduced: the locations of reefs and other underwater hazards became less clear to the remaining fishers; consequently, they frequently damaged or lost their nets. To restore knowledge of fishing grounds, the ADB-assisted Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project partnered with he Panglima Laot-Aceh's traditional fishing authority and with fishers to conduct a community-based bathymetric survey and map the ocean floor. The beneficiaries collected data to help produce maps of hazardous coastal areas, potential fishing grounds, and ocean currents. Because of the survey, the Panglima Laot and fishers learned to partner with others and their capacity to keep more transparent accounts was improved. By Pieter Smidt and Richard Beresford (No. 19 | October 2009)

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