Today the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, UnionBank of the Philippines, and TX, (a subsidiary owned by Streamr Network AG), are announcing Tracey, an app for fisherfolk that will use blockchain technology for documenting and verifying catch and traceability data. The provided data can then be used by financial institutions, such as UnionBank, to conduct credit assessments, enabling them to provide microloans to fisherfolk.

Tracey — Your traceability and trade data companion

Susan Roxas, Fisheries and Finance Lead for WWF’s Coral Triangle Program, explains:

Small fishers in many coastal countries remain poor, despite the high-value fish they catch, like yellowfin tuna. The innovative and disruptive collaboration between WWF, TX and UnionBank will mean fisherfolk will get remunerated for the catch data they provide. This will also enable more open access to microfinance at market prices, managing risk based on fishers’ track records of accurate catch and trade data. This then creates possibilities for a more equitable distribution of supply chain benefits, through measures that prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and ensures sustainable production.

Fisherfolk and subsequent parties in the value chain are incentivised to share verified traceability and trade data with third parties such as WWF-Philippines, government authorities, customs offices, and throughout the supply chain to final buyers. In return for their data, the fisherfolk are paid by data buyers. Most importantly, Tracey gives fisherfolk the resources required to implement a full traceability system in line with European and US standards. This enables them to sell their catch in foreign markets at much higher prices than they are currently able to.

The data generated will also allow financial institutions to conduct alternative credit assessments for microlending to the fisherfolk. Historically, many fisherfolk are unbanked, and according to WWF their seasonal profession means that two out of five fisherfolk in the Philippines live below the poverty line.

To bridge the gaps between fishing seasons, Filipino fisherfolk need access to microloans that can support other business ventures, but they are often perceived as too much of a high risk for banks. The Tracey app de-risks the lending process and provides UnionBank with sufficient information about potential clients. Fisherfolk receive accurate credit scores after frequently inputting verified catch and trade data. Checks and balances within the fisheries ecosystem mean that fraudulent data input can be mitigated with a variety of methods.