OREANDA-NEWS. February 1, 2013. MMX, the EBX Group mining company, released the results of the second phase of the Social investment Plan for Fisheries and Fish-farming (“Pispa”). The program encourages fishing activities in the Sepetiba Bay area, where the company is deploying its Sudeste Superport. Seven projects submitted by the associations have already been approved andreceived part of the investment at the end of last year. Subsequent disbursements will take place after the accounts have been submitted and approved. Another 11 submitted projects are at the assessment stage.

Projects were selected that will strengthen the associations, the productive chain for small-scale fishing, from production to distribution, and the qualification of association management. The assumptions and criteria used in the selection of projects for the second phase of Pispa were discussed with representatives of the Sepetiba Bay fishing associations in meetings organized by MMX throughout 2012, along with a specialized consulting service. "We will fund projects that benefit the entire fishing community, reaching fishermen and their families." stated Luciano Ferreira, Director of Port Deployment and Operations for MMX.

In all, 18 fishing and fish-farming associations from Sepetiba Bay signed up to participate in the second phase of Pispa. The projects already approved at this stage of the program involve seven associations from Sepetiba Bay: The Association of Fishermen and Farmers of the Ilha da Madeira (APLIM), The Association of Fishermen and Shellfish-pickers from Muriqui (APEMAM), The Fish-farmers Association from Mangaratiba (AMAR), The Free Association of Shellfish-pickers from Coroa Grande (AMACOR), The Itaguai Colony, The Association of Small-scale Fishermen of the Ilha da Madeira (APAIM) and the Fishermen’s Association of Itaguai (APEITA). The other associations which submitted applications may also be considered. Associations that have not yet been helped are in the process of compliance with the project, accompanied by a technical advisor. MMX's intention is to support the largest possible number of projects, with a focus on encouraging fishing activity in the region of Sepetiba Bay, strengthening the activity of associations, the entire production chain for small-scale fishing and qualification of association management.

On the first phase of the Plan

MMX has already invested BRL 2.3 million in 11 small-scale fishing association projects in Sepetiba Bay in the first phase of its Social investment Plan for Fishing and Fish-farming. The projects were designed to meet the need for structural building work and qualification projects, with training courses for families linked to the associations. The company finances the projects and supervises the application of resources. More than 1.500 fishermen from Sepetiba Bay have already benefited from these activities since 2009.