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Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rural Areas
Fish is important for combating malnutrition and undernourishment. But it is not only notable for its nutritional value, but also secures the livelihoods and employment for 600 million people worldwide.
Project title
Global Programme Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Target group
Fishermen and -women, aquaculture farmers as well as smallest, small and medium-sized enterprises in the fish value chain in the partner countries of the German international cooperation.
Duration
2016 till 2024
Project sponsor
BMZ
Budget
64 millionen euros (BMZ) and 2 millionen euros (EU)
Regions
Global – Ghana, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia
Fish sweet-salty
Alban Andrianandrasana runs a fish farm in the highlands of Madagascar. It is often overlooked: Besides fishing in the oceans, fishing in inland waters and pond-based aquaculture play a vital role. Fishing takes place more than 1,000 kilometres from the coast in dams or rice fields in the interior. Small-scale farmers practise aquaculture in self-built ponds. And even in countries with a coastline fishing and aquaculture do not only take place in the ocean: as in Madagascar.
Alban attends a training on sustainable rice-fish-culture in a rural area far from the ocean as part of the GIZ programme "Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture". Small-scale farmers cultivate rice fields typically with carp. These carps churn up the silt at the bottom of the pond and release nutrients. This boosts rice yields by as much as 10 percent. This provides Alban more food and more income. "With the money I earn from rice-fish-farming, I can pay the school fees of my three children," says Alban.
Thereby, it is important to manage these natural resources sustainably. The GIZ project advises small-scale farmers and artisanal fishers in seven countries on how to avoid overfishing and how to produce and process fish resource-efficient. They receive training on basic business management skills and technical knowledge. In Mauritania, innovations are tested on small fishing boats in preliminary studies. The fishers learn to handle the catch more gently during transport. Steel boxes on the boats protect the catch from dirt, sunlight and mechanical damage.
Does the fish also reach the food-insecure population?
Losses during production and processing remain a challenge. The programme supports the introduction of innovations to reduce waste. Hygienic steel processing tables in Mauritania or energy-efficient smoking kilns in Uganda contribute to the quality and preservation of fish products. This ensures that more fish is available on local markets for the food-insecure population.
In addition to small-scale farmers and artisanal fishers, the GIZ project also works with the governments of the partner countries. Together they develop and implement strategies for the aquaculture sector, sustainable management or the licensing of fishing boats.
