DW has released a short film showcasing our work establishing alternative livelihoods with the Tampolove community in southwest Madagascar.

“Around ten years ago, the waters around Madagascar’s Bay of Assassins were a sorry sight. Overfishing and pollution had taken such a toll on marine life that local fishing communities were struggling to make a living. Enter the British nongovernmental organisation Blue Ventures — it had big ideas for the humble sea cucumber.

Sold dried as a delicacy in China, these seabed ‘vacuum cleaners’ have a global market value of some €860 per kilogram ($450 per pound). Thousands have been bred and sold near the village of Tampolove, which has eased the pressure on other marine species. Contributing to the project’s success is how everyone involved gets to have a say.”

Project description: Blue Ventures is working with coastal communities in Madagascar to develop sustainable sources of income

Project size: 700 people have been trained to farm cucumbers

Project yield: 23,750 sea cucumbers have been harvested so far

Project members: More than 50 percent of farm leaders and farmers are women

“Before the sea cucumber farms, I had no way to improve my standard of living. By setting up my own pen I’ve earned enough to send my two children to school.” – Séraphine Kiry, sea cucumber farmer

Read the full story from DW: Aquaculture saving the economy in Madagascar

Visit Tampolove for yourself as a marine conservation volunteer