Protecting fish farming

The project aimed to sustainably protect endemic fish species of the endangered Cichlidae family and promote income-generating activities. The project covered three regions of Madagascar and had three objectives: to better understand the environment of endemic fish; to empower local communities to protect native fish species and their natural habitats; to sustainably develop economic activities that provide food and generate income, whilst respecting natural resources.

In all three regions, both indigenous and endemic fish species were sustainably preserved. The size of fish increased significantly and had a positive impact on income-generation for producer communities with fish farms, and on the fishing community as a whole. Local communities increased their knowledge of endangered species and their habitat, and took responsibility for protecting endemic fish species. The growing demand for fish led APMM and its partners to facilitate the link between local producers supervised by the project and local market operators offering attractive prices. Fish farmers today, sell their entire fish production. The APMM and its partners officially launched, in June 2014, the sale of Paratilapia betsileanus as a value added product, benefitting the local communities.

Association of Mountain People of the World (APMM) is an international organisation born out of the World Mountain Forum held at UNESCO in June 2000. It acts as the voice of mountain people and fights for equitable and sustainable development, to ensure the continuity of the mountain identity. It also supports and develops the local initiatives of its members and local partners.