Sahanala signs an alliance with the GRM for sustainable and responsible fisheries

Being an actor in organic farming and sustainable tourism, Sahanala wants to increase its impact on the life of peasants by diversifying its fields of intervention, in this case by becoming an actor in fisheries. That’s why we signed this framework contract with the Groupe Réfrigépêche Madagascar or GRM.

600 fishermen in 7 associations are involved in this alliance. They will benefit from capacity building to improve their income. Their status will be regularized and the outlets for their products will be insured. These products will be intended for export, given that Madagascar can today only satisfy 0.5% of the world octopus market. Sahanala is in the investment phase to set up a processing plant in Andranavabe Vohémar by 2021. The GRM will provide its expertise to ensure that the operation meets international quality standards. One of the main objectives of this project is notably to obtain MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification. It is a way to assure consumers that the products have been fished sustainably, respecting the fishing seasons and marine ecosystems. Sahanala wants product traceability throughout the production chain to be ensured. This will promote the activity of fishermen and will provide added value to the products placed on the market.

 

Environmental conservation

Sahanala works to improve the incomes of communities living in and around the protected areas managed by the Fanamby association. The two entities are closely linked due to the complementarity of their actions, both for communities and for the environment. The octopus harvesting area in question is located in the marine area of the Loky Manambato protected area, managed by Fanamby. This marine area represents 15,000 ha of the 250,000 ha of the protected area. The regularization of the status of fishermen will allow more effective monitoring of their activities. Only people with a fisherman’s card will be allowed to fish in the area affected by the project. Rigorous monitoring will be applied so that the fishing seasons are respected and that there is no overexploitation of fishery resources.