Livelihoods Program for Fishermen in Southern Haiti

Fishing collective group members

In February 2024, Peace Winds began a new program to support livelihoods for a group of fishermen in Saint-Jean-du-Sud, southern Haiti. An estimated 300-500 people make a living from fishing along Haiti’s southern coast. The job is not easy; fishermen typically work seven days a week trading shifts in a small wooden fishing boat designed to hold up to five people. They use nets, fishing line, or bamboo traps to catch fish by hand, and their wives typically sell the catch at local markets. However, the practice has become more difficult as a result of natural disasters and humanitarian crises in recent years.

Fishermen and fishing boat

For the current program, Peace Winds is partnering with APEDESUD (Association des Pêcheurs de la Deuxième Section de Saint du Sud), a cooperative established in 2013 to advance the livelihoods of fishermen. Currently, the group consists of 70 men and women whose lives were severely affected by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Haiti’s major earthquake in 2021. APEDESUD suffered catastrophic losses in these natural disasters, including the destruction of fishing gear and a blow to profits. The group used to earn about $500 a month; this has now dropped to about $20 a month. 

Another barrier to APEDESUD’s ability to maintain a steady income is its lack of organizational structure. Peace Winds is working with the group to improve its seafood processing capabilities, diversify its products, and transport more fresh seafood to markets throughout the area. The goal is that the cooperative will be better able to protect the livelihoods of its members and more resilient in the face of future disasters.

Over the next year, Peace Winds will help APEDESUD achieve its goals in three stages. The first is to prepare everything the group needs to be successful; this includes providing fishing gear, boats, and a processing site. The second step is to provide training for the group’s members. This will not only help them improve their technical skills but also establish an organizational structure for the group. Finally, Peace Winds will provide training in seafood processing techniques, sales, and marketing. Group members will be better equipped to sell their products at local markets and maintain a steady income. 

Peace Winds looks forward to bringing more updates about this project as we are able. Our current work in Haiti is funded by the Kuraray Company as well as by contributions from individual donors. We thank you for your continued support.

Typical Haitian fishing boat and oar

Fishing catch

Fishermen’s wives