Methodology
  • Involvement of the local community
  • Responding to community needs 

The openes of the  community to learn and adopt the toolkit.

The financial support to the prooject 

The effective of the toolkit in detering the wildlife from farm 

Trials

On-station trials

In a series of experiments conducted at the National Aquaculture Center in Domasi, the project team tested the trap for intermittent harvest with different baits in ponds (200 m2) stocked with different species (Coptodon Rendalli vs. Oreochromis Shiranus) at different densities (1 vs. 2 vs. 3 fish per sqm.). In addition, further tests were carried out to determine the time and intervals it takes to catch a certain amount of fish. As a control and for comparison, additional ponds were stocked with O. Shiranus and C. Rendalli fed with maize bran or pellets for single batch harvest to represent customary forms of rural aquaculture in Malawi.

On-farm trials

At the time when the trap was technically functional, households that wanted to test the trap under every day, real-life conditions were identified. Over three months, six households tested the trap and documented the catch.

Crafting the fish trap

The trap is made from wire mesh and shaped like a cylinder. Two additional wire mesh pieces shaped like a cone are attached at both ends. The diameter of the narrower end is kept smaller to allow only small fish to enter the trap. To lure them in, bait is placed inside. A piece of a net holds the bait. A string is fixed to the trap so that users can easily sink and retrieve the trap.

Our idea

In the context of fisheries and aquaculture, the fish trap represents an evolution of existing harvesting methods. Unlike active fishing gear, such as seines, the fish traps require less labor and energy, which makes them very efficient in terms of catch effort. In addition, the fish traps do not physically harm the caught fish, so the fish can be taken out of the trap alive and in good health. Early experiments on partial harvests in aquaculture in Malawi date back to the 1990s, when different tools for intermittent harvest were tested. However, due to the inefficiency and labor-intensity of the methods, there has been no broad application or further developments.

Based on this knowledge, further literature research, and expert discussions, the idea was born to build and test a size-selective fish trap to regularly harvest the juveniles of the initial fish stock. This innovation is thought to control the stocking density, to optimize the use of supplementary feeds, and to not exceed the carrying capacity of the pond. Ideally, a successful application of the fish trap would result in households increasing their overall aquaculture productivity, whilst harvesting small quantities of small fish much more regularly than has been customary in aquaculture to date. The intermittently harvested fish can be consumed within the household or used to generate small amounts of regular income. Meanwhile, the initial fish stock (parent fish) will be grown to a larger size for the final harvest.

The challenge

In a fish-loving country like Malawi, where fish is the main source of animal protein, but fisheries yields are in decline, great hope and effort is placed in the development of aquaculture. Better access to and regular consumption of fish, which is an important source of protein and essential micronutrients, can make an important contribution to overcoming development challenges. And food insecurity is one of the greatest in terms of public health. Women and children are particularly affected by malnutrition. The expansion and promotion of sustainable aquaculture represents an important approach to meeting a growing demand for fish.

This development requires – among many other aspects – innovations that contribute to successfully mastering challenges in the sector. With a focus on rural aquaculture, the Aquaculture Value Chain for Higher Income and Food Security Project in Malawi (AVCP), part of the Global Programme ‘Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture’ under the special initiative ‘One World – No Hunger’ of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, is providing technical training to 4,500 small-scale producers in Malawi. Fish farming helps them improve both income and food security.

One of the common and complex challenges in rural aquaculture is the use of mixed-sex Tilapia fingerlings in low-input systems. This means that farmers only have a limited selection and quantity of agricultural by-products available with which to feed a rapidly growing fish population in the pond. This leads to increasing competition for oxygen and food, which leads to poor growth rates and often an acceleration of sexual maturity. Accordingly, final harvests often consist of rather small fish, which does not meet the widespread expectations of harvesting edible – “plate filling” – fish from aquaculture.

Given the unavailability or prohibitiveness of mono-sex fingerlings, fish feed and aerators in rural aquaculture, the project was challenged to find an alternative solution to improve the productivity of rural aquaculture and its contribution to household nutrition.

Approch

- Surveillance patrols carried out by forestry officers, trained and equipped with monitoring and reporting tools;
- Ecological monitoring of the species, in particular through the installation of 40 photographic traps;
- Support for local communities through income-generating activities (IGAs), from which they benefit directly.

Basic STEM concepts and skills

The Arribada Club teaches students fundamentals of IT technology, computer programming, and design engineering throughout the curriculum. It also teaches scientific concepts behind many conservation technologies, such as how GPS systems work. 

This building block gives Club students a knowledge foundation that they apply to understand and apply conservation technologies.

Training the Club teachers to understand these concepts and having the appropriate materials for hands-on lessons, such as laptop computers.

Funding and professional development training

For many conservationists, including our participants, the knowledge to effectively use conservation technology is not enough without the funding to access the tools. Recognizing this barrier, we provide each participant with $500 USD in seed funding to help them implement their conservation solutions. Additionally, we offer training in grant writing, pitching, and engaging with funders to enhance their ability to secure future funding.

  • Support from donors who fund seed grants 
  • Students are required to submit two updates and a financial report for their grant. Ensuring follow-up on these submissions requires dedicated effort and engagement from the core team  
  • Students have reported that being able to list the seed funding received through our program on their CVs has helped them secure additional funding opportunities in the future.
Hands-on engagement

For our technical training, we prioritize activities that allow students to directly interact with conservation technology tools. By setting up and deploying tools in safe, low-pressure environments, students have the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from those experiences. For example, letting students decide where to place a camera trap based on a lesson, and then evaluating the effectiveness of their decision by reviewing the data collected, is highly valuable. 

  • Access to technology tools at host institution for practical use 
  • Opportunities for students to trial and test tools themselves
  • Experience instructors to provide guidance and support 
  • When paired with supporting background information, we have found these hands-on experiences to be more impactful than traditional lectures or merely observing technology in use 
  • Providing opportunities to engage with the entire lifecycle of a technology (e.g., from set up and deployment to data collection and analysis) better prepares students for using these technologies in their own projects
Focus on early career potential

We select participants who are at the beginning stages of their careers, such as those who have completed their bachelor’s degrees and are entering the NGO or conservation workforce or embarking on higher education.The goal is to identify participants whose careers would benefit the most from the type and amount of training, funding, mentorship, and support we provide. 

  • Strong networks with local academic institutions and regional NGOs help us attract a large pool of qualified applicants (~200 applications per year)
  • Tailored educational materials that align with the needs of early-career participants
  • Community of same-stage participants form strong and enduring connections 
  • Initially, we included participants at various career stages, but we found that older, more experienced individuals have different needs and require a distinct program tailored to their experience level
  • Our entry-level training materials were less useful for women with more experience in the field
  • Over the past two years, we’ve recruited at least one participant without formal education but with extensive on-the-ground experience. These individuals have thrived in the program, highlighting an opportunity to further cater to this audience in future iterations.