The current project aims at promoting sustainable utilization, management and conservation of mangrove systems as fisheries support systems and buffers against climate change impacts through the promotion of the use of energy-serving fish smoke houses in the over 20 000 ha of the Douala-Edea mangrove forest within the Cameroon Estuary.
Cameroon mangroves are highly threatened by human activities (fish smoking, construction, etc.) and urbanisation (sand extraction, urban infrastructure development) which have contributed to about 30% loss between 1980 and 2006 to just about 200 000 ha today. Fish smoking and fish processing activities are largely responsible for degradation and loss of mangroves in the region.
Traditional little energy efficient open-type smoking rafts included in kitchens are used across the region. Health problems such as breathing and sight difficulties, headache, general fatigue, and inhalation of poisonous wood gases as well as occasional fire accidents occur during the smoking operations.
Some 350 traditional smoke houses will be improved before 2012 in 9 villages with a total population of 4,500 people in collaboration with post-harvest fish processing experts from the Cameroon Institute of Oceanographic and Fisheries Research. There will be particular emphasis on use of locally available materials to construct or reinforce traditional smoking platforms. This is expected to reduce wood consumption by 50% and fish smoking time from the traditional 3-4 days to 5-8 hours with considerable positive impact on the mangrove ecosystem.
Project activities will include:
- Sensitization and capacity building of local households
- Identification of smokehouses to improve
- Improvement of selected smoke houses