Conservation and Sustainable Enhancement of the Ecosystems of Bouhertma: A Project Focused on Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable Fisheries

Located in the region of Bouhertma (north-west of Tunisia), the Association Initiative et Ouverture des Perspectives de Développement (AIOPD) works for the preservation and sustainable development of local forests and wetlands. Since February 2023, it has been leading an ambitious project to reduce the impact of human practices on these fragile ecosystems, while improving the living conditions of local communities, including women and fishermen.

The association works on several fronts: reducing the impact of wood felling, improving essential oil distillation techniques, adopting sustainable fishing practices and enhancing the value of fishery products.

Responsible management of forest resources

The project aims to limit the intensive exploitation of forest products by women engaged in the distillation of essential oils by offering them sustainable alternatives.

Awareness: 32 women have benefited from awareness visits on sustainable management of forest resources.
Training: 20 women members of GDA Jentoura and 13 others from the region were trained in good distillation practices.
Improved equipment: Acquisition of a 50-litre stainless steel distiller and suitable bottles to improve the production and quality of essential oils and hydrolates.

Towards a sustainable fishery for a balanced ecosystem

The association is also involved in protecting the Bouhertma Dam, where fishing is an important economic resource.

Fishermen awareness: Information campaigns have been organized to promote more sustainable fishing techniques.
Training and technical assistance: Fishermen have been taught to repair and assemble their own nets, thus promoting self-reliance.

Visits to suppliers helped identify nets suitable for sustainable fishing , following this initiative 4 fishermen from the Bouhertma dam in Tabarka now have the skills to assemble and maintain their fishing nets.

Enhancing local products and strengthening women’s capacities

In order to ensure a better marketing of local products, a valorisation strategy has been put in place.

Training of fishermen and their wives: 17 fishermen and 6 women from the GDA Jentoura were trained in the processing and valorization of fishery products.
Creation of a partnership for the management of equipment: In July 2024, an agreement was signed between the AIOPD and the GDA of women of Jentoura. This agreement ensures that the equipment acquired for the distillation and valorization of fish will remain available to beneficiaries even after the end of the project in September 2024.
Training in the management of a community structure: To ensure the sustainability of the achievements, a training cycle has been set up to help women manage this structure independently.

A Sustainable Development Model for Bouhertma

Through this initiative, AIOPD creates a balance between conservation of natural resources and economic empowerment of local communities. This project demonstrates that ecosystem protection can go hand in hand with socio-economic development, while actively involving women and fishermen in a transition to more sustainable practices.

Thanks to the PPI-OSCAN 3 programme (coordinated by IUCN-Med and financed by the French Fund for the Global Environment (FFEM), the MAVA Foundation and the Sigrid Rausing Trust ) with concrete actions and a strong commitment from local stakeholders, This project marks a significant step towards sustainable and resilient management of the forests and wetlands of Bouhertma.