Joseph and Kodok’s fishers build better livelihoods from fishing in South Sudan

Fishing is an important source of food and income in Kodok, South Sudan. But high equipment costs, fragmented fish markets and a lack of cold storage have made it difficult for fisherfolk and fish sellers to protect their earnings.

The THRIVE Project is supporting local fish cooperatives and the fish market to address some of these challenges helping people access affordable equipment, preserve their catch and sell fish in a more organised way.

Working together to make fishing more affordable

Joseph Kwashkuan, 33, is Secretary General of the Kodok Fish Cooperative, which has around 30 members. With support from the project, the cooperative has improved access to essential fishing equipment, including nets, hooks, ropes and monofilament fishing line.

“One of the cooperative members travelled to Sudan to buy the fishing inputs so that we could sell them to the community at a price lower than what is found in the local market,” Joseph explains.

Buying equipment in bulk allows the cooperative to offer it to local fisherfolk at more affordable prices. It also gives members an opportunity to work together, manage supplies and support each other’s businesses.

The cooperative’s work extends beyond fishing. Members have organised community activities, including clearing pathways along the river to make access to fishing areas easier and safer.

A safer place to sell and preserve fish

The project has also supported the Kodok Fish Aggregation Centre, where around 22 fish sellers now bring their catch to a shared marketplace instead of selling from scattered locations along the riverbank.

The centre gives sellers a safer and more organised place to do business while making it easier for customers to find fresh fish. Most importantly, it has refrigeration that sellers previously lacked.

“Before the centre had cold storage, fish that remained unsold at the end of the day could spoil, particularly in hot weather. Sellers often had to reduce their prices to avoid losing their stock,” Joseph recalls.

Refrigeration gives them more time to find buyers and negotiate better prices, while reducing the number of fish that goes to waste.

Better earnings, stronger local businesses

The changes are already contributing to household incomes. Sellers at the centre earn an average of around SSP 10,000 (approximately €66) in profit per day, with some reporting profits of up to SSP 50,000 (approximately €330) on particularly successful market days.

For families, these earnings can help cover everyday costs such as food, school fees and healthcare. The centre is also encouraging sellers to build their financial resilience. Some are participating in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), community savings groups where members contribute regularly and can access loans from their collective savings. Others are establishing new groups.

The centre also sells ice to fish sellers and other users. Revenue from the ice helps cover routine operating costs, including maintenance and support for the facility caretaker.

For Joseph and the people whose livelihoods depend on fishing, the cooperative and aggregation centre address two connected challenges: getting the equipment needed to fish and having a reliable place to preserve and sell the catch.

Together, these improvements are helping fishing families reduce losses, earn more consistently and build stronger local businesses in Kodok.