Their cooperative is called KLMA (Koperativa Matavy Laoko Antsatrana = Cooperative des gros poissons d'Antsarana ndlr). In 2023, a year after their training, they are selling a ton of fish at the Ambilobe market, entirely for the catering trade.
 
To achieve this impressive quantity, the 34 members of the cooperative were particularly active, selling between 10 and 100 kg of fish per person, and the stock is still far from being exhausted. Aldine is one of them, he has sold 187 kg of fish. He shared with us the benefits he has derived from this activity: "Fish farming is a very interesting opportunity. We have food and earn money. It has enabled me to sell fry and provide me with the resources to invest in expanding my business".
 
At national level, over 1.5 million people living in coastal areas depend on fish farming for their livelihood. In Ambaro Bay, with WWF support, fish farming is one of the sustainable alternatives generating income for some 95 fishing households. Improving their livelihoods strengthens the resilience of these communities to the impacts of climate change.
 
In a still vast market with strong demand, communities can take full advantage of the selling price of 15,000 Ariary per kilo. That's around $3.5 in a country where 81% of the population lives on less than $2 a day (World Bank 2022).
 
Fish farming generates considerable income for members of the Antsatrana cooperative, who have benefited from support in terms of monitoring, fry supply, equipment and technical supervision to develop their farming.
 
In this way, it contributes to reducing abusive practices that harm marine species and mangroves, enabling the latter to maintain their role as climate regulators. Fishermen are motivated to keep up their momentum in this promising market.