Learning how to process fish, from filleting it to packaging the final product, as a way of adding value and winning over consumers: this is one of the goals of vocational training courses provided in São Luís, Maranhão by the Boqueirão Beach Fishermen’s Community Socioeconomic Development Program.
In 2011, the program will enter a new phase, offering the 52 registered fishermen and their families the opportunity to organize their work better. Promoted by the Vale Foundation, the initiative stimulates the sustainable development of small-scale fishing in communities that live off this activity. The objectives are to promote and preserve the culture of small-scale fishing, contribute to income generation and support citizenship. Since 2009, seven courses have been held for 243 students.
The educational methodology is based on having different units focused on various areas of know-how, such as fishing skills, handicrafts and even management and administration. These units are managed by the fishing community and are given technical support by the State Agricultural Research and Rural Assistance Agency of Maranhão (Agerp) and the Municipal Secretariat of Agriculture, Fishing and Food Supplies (Semapa), Vale’s partners in the program.