Serge Raemaekers

Serge is a social entrepreneur with an ardent commitment to sustainable development and the elevation of marginalized communities. With over two decades of experience working with small-scale fishers, combined with a background in Fisheries Science, Serge has gained a deep understanding of the local and global challenges facing these communities and the need for innovative solutions that enable their ocean stewardship potential in this rapidly changing world.

In 2015, Serge co-founded ABALOBI in South Africa – www.abalobi.org – an initiative that seeks to elevate Small-Scale Fisheries and poise them for social, economic, and ecological sustainability. The name ABALOBI means ‘fisher’ in the isiXhosa language, reflecting the fisher-led nature of the organization.

At ABALOBI, the team takes an inclusive approach that places small-scale, artisanal, and traditional fishers and fish workers front and center. Their co-development of technologies and capacity-building programs strives to cultivate responsible Community-Supported Fisheries and market models, inclusive Fisheries Improvement Programs (FIPs), community-led conservation initiatives, Climate Change adaptation strategies, and sound data ownership and stewardship for improved Fisheries Information Systems and management. The ABALOBI team developed a groundbreaking digital platform connecting fishers directly with consumers, creating a more transparent and equitable value chain. Following successful deployment in South Africa, their technologies are now being replicated in other parts of the world.