SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE - Project Appraisal Report Blue Economy and Fisheries Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Maintenance (BEFIRM) Project — São Tomé and Príncipe

Overview

The proposed project intervention is aligned with the actions outlined in the NDC Implementation Plan and will contribute to its objectives. The updated NDC outlines the country’s priorities on adaptation in the different sectors, including agriculture and blue economy, which are all relevant to the project. The operation, focusing on fisheries and port rehabilitation, aligns with the adaptation goals of São Tomé and Príncipe’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC, 2021), particularly coastal protection and resilient infrastructure. To help overcome these issues and concerns, the project will adopt an ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and fish value chain approach. The project will support: i) an increase in entrepreneurial initiatives for women SMEs, youths, and cooperatives; ii) integrated management of fisheries, eco-tourism, and biodiversity conservation; iii) increasing fish production and productivity through the use of appropriate climate proof technologies; (iv) incorporating nutrition value addition within the fish value chain for improved diet quality and nourishment; (vi) the reduction of climate vulnerability and the strengthening of resilience through nature-based solutions. The project will consist of the following four components : i) rehabilitation of multipurpose fish landing wharves and port cabotage, ii) improvement of small-scale fishing boats and value chain activities, iii) increasing conservation, ecotourism and climate resilience and iv) project management and coordination.