I once ran a firm that exported Philippine tropical fish: I once ran a cooperative that exported net-caught saltwater fish from the Philippines: I was the business manager. The project was founded by local and international groups and it involved the training of fishermen on how to catch saltwater fish without using cyanide.
Unfortunately, when the funding for the project stopped the business found it difficult to continue and eventually it closed down. Why did it fail? Maybe it was because of the business model. Or perhaps the cost prevented us from being competitive despite the fish being net caught? For example the amount we paid for shipping was four or even ten times higher than what was being paid in other countries. And the cost of running the business – the electricity, rent and salary of all people was just to high.
It did not work. And to be honest all of us involved were to blame one way or the other.
Why am I sharing this now?
Well, for any alternative and Earth friendly livelihood program to succeed it must be independent and financially sound. It must crossover from being a darling little project supported by NGOs and become independent to the point that people will set-up their own business.
Just recently I was invited to the launch of Project Seven Thousand – a joint project of the
Save Palawan Seas Foundation (SPSF) and is powered by Yehey! Digital Corporation – and I remembered our experience with exporting net-caught fish several years ago.
The Save Palawan Seas Foundation has several community projects educating, promoting and nurturing alternative Livelihood Projects both sea and land based. Such projects include sea weed farming and bee farming. What is important here is they involved the community. For me this is the only way it will work.
Based on my past brush in with such projects, The next hard part is to make all this projects work as a business. Let us hope and support that SPSF and Communities succeed.
Before closing this post. Let’s go back to Project Seven Thousand and why it is important also. It, Project 7000, is a social media site that provides information about the Environment and more importantly encourages everyone and anyone is helping the planet via: (i) making a pledge; (ii) Do it; (iii) and invite others to do the same.
Three simple steps but really the most important is doing it or going beyond the click: The crossing over from digital world to the real word: Walking the talk.
If you want to support the projects of the SAVE PALAWAN SEAS FOUNDATION, INC., please read the information below:
FOR DONATIONS, Please deposit to:
SAVE PALAWAN SEAS FOUNDATION, INC.
United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB)Paseo de Roxas Branch, Paseo de Roxas,
Makati City, PhilippinesACCOUNT NUMBER 104-166003-3 (SAVINGS ACCOUNT)
For each donation received certi cates will be issued. Project
updates specific to where you choose your funds to go to will be constantly provided.
