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This shimmering expanse of water covering 32,900 square kilometres is more than just Africa's second-largest lake—it's an essential resource for millions… Lake Tanganyika is a vast aquatic ecosystem that provides between 25 and 40 per cent of the protein needs for around 1 million people. Declining fish stocks Despite its richness, the lake's resources [...]
The Baro-Akobo-Sobat River Basin—shared between Ethiopia and South Sudan—and Omo-Turkana Basin—shared between Ethiopia and Kenya—serve as lifelines for the local communities that live along these basins. For generations, they have relied on the fishing within the rivers and Lake Turkana for sustenance. However, with time, a looming threat emerged – unsustainable fishing practices. A [...]
The crystal-clear waters surrounding northern Madagascar are a treasure trove of marine biodiversity. Living along the coast are the Ambodivahibe, Bay of Rigny and Nosy Hara communities. While they heavily rely on small-scale fisheries, these communities struggle with extreme poverty on the daily. Coastal challenges The landscape of Madagascar is shadowed by the weight [...]
Did you know that small-scale fisheries are the backbone of Mozambique’s economy and food security? Indeed, casting nets not only provides sustenance to about 334 000 people, but also fuels the nation's economy. However, unsustainable practices and limited management threaten this vital sector. Declining fish stocks pose a serious challenge, particularly for communities along [...]
In the heart of Africa lies a tapestry of waterways. Across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is found the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA). It is a vast network of rivers, floodplains, and ecosystems that provides vital resources for millions of people. Generations of families living in this area have thrived on water [...]
On the lively shores of Kenya and East Africa, small-scale fisheries are the backbone of local life, keeping families fed and economies afloat. But despite their crucial role in sustaining everyday life, they have had to tackle a wave of significant challenges. In-depth issues The coastal waters of Kenya are brimming with life and [...]
Marked by its barren lands due to persistent droughts, the arid expanse of Sudan’s Red Sea State is home to Beja pastoralists. While poverty is deeply rooted in the lives of these people, the ECOFISH programme has partnered with the SOS Sahel organisation in order to breathe new life into the forgotten art of [...]
Nestled along the shores of the Western Indian Ocean, Tanzania boasts a coastline rich in biodiversity, with some of the region's most pristine coral reefs. With its abundant marine resources, the country’s fishing industry is the cornerstone of both its local economy and national identity. Troubled waters The coastal communities of Tanzania heavily rely [...]
From its rural landscapes to bustling fishing camps, Zambia's reliance on agriculture and aquaculture for sustenance and economic growth is evident. In fact, while the region boasts abundant water bodies, the fishing industry serves as the backbone of economic stability for many Zambian communities. Navigating through fishing bans Fish bans are enforced to protect [...]
Along the shores of Lake Kariba, in the heart of Zambia's Southern Province, lies the fishing village of Chilele. For a long time, its inhabitants have been facing a myriad of challenges, including poor living conditions, lack of infrastructure, and declining fish stocks. Under the guidance of the Ecofish programme, funded by the European [...]
Against the currents of adversity In her quest for water to sustain her everyday life, Santa Maria Waison's daily routine used to be far from simple. Like many others living on the banks of the Cazindira River in Mozambique, her days were filled with challenges: every step of the way felt like a battle [...]
Spanning across 7.23 million square kilometres, the vast expanse of the Western Indian Ocean abounds with marine life – a valuable resource that sustains people’s livelihoods and ecosystems alike. For 15 years now, after an ongoing fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Western Indian Ocean, a consortium of nine islands and [...]
The African Pike, locally known as Mulumesi, is a fast and fierce fish very popular for game fishing. The clear, peaceful canals and lagoons, flowing through vast flood plains, serve ass hunting ground for this predator. There, it seeks out its primary sustenance: small fish. Easily recognised by its torpedo shape and spike-shaped head [...]
In the peaceful Bay of Rigny in Madagascar, the village of Ampondrahazo is witnessing a remarkable transition. Once marred by overfishing and habitat degradation, the marine ecosystem now revels in rejuvenated biodiversity. Here is the story of how this was achieved… Driven by their dependency on their daily catches, fishers of the community mindlessly [...]
In the heart of Mutendezi, a resilient community in Mozambique, lives Isaque Adelino—a 29-year-old fisher and fishmonger who provides for his family of six. Amidst the rhythmic tides of daily life, the fisherman became involved with the ADPP Clube de Pescadores, an Ecofish project generously funded by the European Union. He swiftly embarked on [...]
Created in 2011, the Caie Fisheries Council (CCP) comprises 17 active members. Its president, Agnesse Camilo, shares the journey of this once misunderstood and unrecognised organisation, which is today applauded for its successful endeavours in conserving fishing resources and ecosystems in the Cahora Bassa reservoir. Rocky beginnings The CCP’s main mission is to ensure [...]
In the heart of Mozambique, lives a courageous woman who used to walk miles and miles just to get water for her family and her community… Here is the story of Sonia Campeão, one that stands as a shining example of how the ECOFISH Programme is bringing about big changes. A quest [...]
Financial empowerment is a transformative journey that leads individuals and communities to gaining economic independence and security. It is the key to opening the doors to a brighter, more prosperous future! Let us head to the small village of Lamu, along the Kenyan coast, where a model for economic empowerment and [...]
Bordering Kenya and the Indian Ocean, the villages of the Tanga region support a population of approximately 2.1 million inhabitants who have long relied on age-old practices of artisanal fishing and subsistence agriculture to sustain their way of life. Amidst challenges like climate change, overfishing, low productivity, and difficulty in accessing [...]
Change is the only constant in life… Thanks to a wind of change, Anny Mabuku, a 32-year-old fish trader, found her calling and decided to expand her skills to make more money. Here is the inspiring story of a woman who can now live happily, by fishing and by gardening. Toiling [...]
Fishing in the Luangwa River has been less and less fruitful over the years – the Zambian border is being nearly depleted. Elizabeth Chileshe is a 30 year old woman who managed to overcome this problematic situation thanks to… a piece of land! Here’s an overview of her inspiring journey. Learning [...]
“No deal, no fish”... This is a generally accepted axiom within the fishing communities in Zambia. The deal? A sexual transaction, solicited by fishermen, to women who want to buy fish. No other option Fish is a natural and highly nutritional source of food for people living along the Zambian riverbanks. [...]
Adam Mohammed is a senior fisherman from Dongonab community – which lies on the northern coast of the Red Sea, Sudan – who manages three fishing boats. Here is the story of how the ECOFISH Program has completely changed the course of his life. Today, Adam Mohammed can proudly catch about [...]
In the absence of legislations, recreation and sports fishing boats can fish around FADs and compete with the artisanal fishers who depend on catches for a living. PHOTO : Stephane Bellerose @ UNDP Mauritius Over the past 50 years, the global production of fish and seafood has quadrupled. In 2017, the [...]
Mauritius and Rodrigues have respectively 1,900 and 1,100 artisanal fishermen. In recent decades, these traditional lagoon fishers have faced great challenges, including the steady decline of marine and coastal ecosystems. To earn a living, some artisanal fishers now venture out of the lagoon where they can explore waters high in fish resources, but [...]
How does one fish efficiently and sustainably? Although this question has long been overlooked by the inhabitants of Litoya, in the west of Zambia, it is vital to young Muwela. Born in 1987, his life has changed considerably since the Community Fisheries Committee (CPC) visited his village. Until recently, many teenagers, including [...]
This is exactly what the small-scale fishers of Kafue and Luangwa regions have been doing since the capacity-building exercises provided by ActionAid Zambia, with support from the European Union through the ECOFISH Programme. Overview. Honing their skills Figure 1: Community Sensitisation meeting As the adage states: “Knowledge is Power”. [...]
It all started in Mozambique, in the community of Nhambando. As a child, Xavier Tatamo learnt to swim on the banks of the Cahora Bassa reservoir. Ever since, he has developed a strong interest in fishing. Fast forward to today, he is a 58 year-old fisherman and a proud owner of a [...]
Nature blossoms in many beautiful ways and our marine biodiversity is no exception. Unfortunately, human activity may often hinder the natural ecosystem and cause its downfall. Excessive fishing, for instance, is endangering the supply of fishes – a very valuable natural resource, especially in small villages in African countries. Finding solutions… [...]
Have you ever wondered what tomorrow is made of? Even if you do not know what the future holds, you can surely try building it in the best way possible. It is with this mindset that Inocência Fazbem now plans hers. Born and raised in the Province of Tete in Mozambique, [...]
Raste Guibissone’s story shows that ECOFISH’s activities provide fishermen with greater flexibility to negotiate the price of their products in Cahora-Bassa and Magoe districts, in Mozambique. Raste Guibissone, 23 years old, is married and has two children. He has been working as a fisherman since 5 years ago in the village [...]
"Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won't eat you." As this African adage aptly points out, a community can deal with different challenges when uniting forces. Mr. Sinyungu Evans Makandauko firmly believes it. He is a citizen of the Sesheke District in southern Zambia and leads a [...]
"No, the visitors are also paddling!” This is Calvin talking to the Chairperson of Nsundwa fisheries reserves over the phone. "We are struggling to get our heavy 6 m aluminium boat through the floodplains of the Zambezi region. The water is too shallow and the engine is unable to run... we [...]
C3 Madagascar’s grassroots approach to marine conservation has always been centered around educating and raising awareness from a young age, and this has led to the creation of the Junior Ecoguards network in the schools of key coastal communities. Since 2009, C3 Madagascar works in the North of the island, identified [...]
Numbers speak louder than words… This is why the introduction of a charter for fisheries management, inspired by factual studies of Lake Tanganyika, seems like a great idea to reduce the impacts of illegal fishing practices there. Overview… Figure 1: A bunch of illegal gears observed in Zambia during the [...]
On the banks of the Zambezi – the fourth largest river in Africa – lies Wanyau, a small village in Zambia. The vast expanses of water and swamps surrounding the village set a conducive environment for fishing and growing vegetables... It is therefore not surprising that fishing is the main activity [...]
Located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Lake Kariba is the fourth largest lake in Africa and among the largest man-made lakes in the world. While it once thrived with many species of fish, this vast expanse of water is now suffering from a depletion of its resources… The main [...]
Over 7,000 families, scattered in Ethiopia and particularly Kenya, depend on pastoral activities and fishing around Lake Turkana. They are proud and protective of this ecosystem, which is the 4th largest lake in Africa and the largest desert lake in the world. However, these populations are not using the full wealth [...]
Figure 1: SFC Capacity Assessment “We have good hope for the future thanks to the lessons we have learnt… We are now ready to support and guide our community towards better management of marine resources for their benefits”, states the fisher committee secretary of Michamvi in Zanzibar. More than [...]
The traditional livelihood strategy of the indigenous community of Red Sea State, Sudan–which mainly consisted of livestock rearing and agriculture–, has been undermined by the impact of drought and conflict. It is no longer adequate to ensure household food security. The massive loss of resources that people experienced during the [...]
A little progress each day adds up to big results… Djohani Mairrosse, a man who shaped his life from the ground up, perfectly epitomizes this adage. At 58, this man keeps himself as busy as a bee to support his four wives and ten children. With the dream to save enough [...]