Supporting Oyster Pickers and Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods
The Densu Oyster Picker Association (DOPA) is one of the four operating areas of Development Action Association (DAA). DOPA focuses on the people whose livelihoods are connected to oyster picking and processing within the Densu area.
DAA’s work with oyster pickers forms part of its wider commitment to supporting grassroots communities, strengthening rural livelihoods, empowering women and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
About Densu Oyster Picker Association
Oyster picking is an important livelihood activity for communities connected to the Densu area. Recognising the importance of this activity, DAA began working with oyster pickers and processors as part of its fisheries-related development work.
In 2017, DAA identified oysters as an area of interest under its fisheries work through the USAID Sustainable Fisheries Management Project. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was subsequently conducted as a starting point for work with oyster pickers and processors.
This marked an important step in bringing oyster pickers into DAA’s wider fisheries and community development activities.
Working With Oyster Pickers
DAA’s approach to grassroots development is based on participation. The organisation works with community groups to understand their needs, challenges and opportunities and to develop responses that involve the people directly affected.
The participatory rural appraisal undertaken with oyster pickers and processors provided a way to understand their situation and establish a foundation for further community-based work.
Through DOPA, DAA provides a structure for engaging with oyster pickers as part of its broader work with grassroots associations.
Supporting Women in Coastal Communities
DAA’s programmes place a strong focus on rural women. Approximately 98% of DAA’s beneficiaries are rural women, many of whom have limited formal education.
Supporting women involved in oyster picking and processing is therefore consistent with DAA’s wider commitment to improving opportunities for rural women and strengthening their participation in economic and community development.
The organisation’s work seeks to recognise women not simply as beneficiaries of development programmes, but as active participants in identifying problems, developing solutions and contributing to decisions affecting their livelihoods.
Understanding Community Needs
A strong understanding of local conditions is important when working with natural-resource-dependent communities.
DAA used participatory rural appraisal to begin its work with oyster pickers and processors. This approach created an opportunity to learn directly from community members and understand their experiences, livelihoods and concerns.
Community participation is consistent with DAA’s wider mission of promoting grassroots movements that are able to take charge of their own development needs.
Oyster Picking and Sustainable Fisheries
Oyster resources are connected to the wider coastal and fisheries environment. For communities that depend on these resources, the health of the surrounding ecosystem can have a direct bearing on their livelihoods.
DAA’s work with DOPA therefore sits within its broader fisheries programme and its participation in initiatives promoting sustainable fisheries management.
In 2015, DAA became one of eight partners in the USAID Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP), which focused on rebuilding targeted fish stocks and promoting sustainable fishing practices and appropriate levels of exploitation.
DAA’s subsequent work with oyster pickers and processors expanded its fisheries-related engagement to include oyster resources and the communities that depend on them.
