AQUACULTURE WITHOUT FRONTIERS (AwF) AND ORGANIC LIFE (OL):THE VAKKOM AQUACULTURE PROJECT JOURNEY

Dr Janine Pierce*
University of South Australia
PO Box 64 Hove SA
Australia 5048
 
Roy Palmer
Geeji Madathil Tharanath

The story is told here of the powerful partnership between AwF and OL and the progress so far towards achieving a more sustainable livelihood for the people of Vakkom in southern India through aquaculture, particularly for disadvantaged women. The project was proposed as a partial solution to the demise over time of the coir industry which has left many people in this area financially distressed with no alternative income or job opportunities. The project is explained through the stages and realisations and efforts to achieve best practice for aquaculture projects affiliated with AwF. The first realisation is that ideas for developing aquaculture projects to guarantee outcomes requires people with innovative ideas to see viable opportunities. Also essential are people with sustainable passion and energy to drive the project from an idea to a functional and profitable business for community members. This requires full commitment by all involved, sense of ownership by community members for whom the project is intended, and sustainable jobs and income for local community members. Collaborative teams are built from AwF members with diverse skills, partnerships, community members, government and other decision makers, and funders.  The project also needs an approach that parallels a business in relation to clear project definition and goals, strategies, securing funding, timelines, establishing roles and accountability, budgetary management and reporting, and empowerment of those involved to achieve measurable, ethical and sustainable outcomes. Ongoing communication is also a central consideration for all stakeholders, as is telling a persuasive and powerful story through many available communication mediums to reach AwF and other partners, the community, funders and potential funders and the wider audience. This project acts as an AwF example of a continuing journey to bring an aquaculture project from an idea to a reality.