An experimental fishing expedition was conducted by the Madagasikara Voakajy team in Lake Tseny, Tsaratanana I Commune, Port Bergé District. This initiative was sparked by the exchange of illegal nets used by local fishermen for regulated nets. The experimentation took place in July, October, and December 2023. Twenty local fishermen set up the new nets, which were approved by the Chief of the Fisheries and Blue Economy Division of the Port Bergé District and participated in the experimental session.
The purpose of the experimental fishing was to ensure the effectiveness of the exchanged nets in terms of standards and productivity. However, the main objective remains the conservation of Lake Tseny, where the endemic species known as "Damba Menarambo" is found.
This session allowed the MV team to assess the biological state of fish reproduction in this lake according to the climatic season. Furthermore, the regulated nets are selective, productive, and profitable compared to those currently used by local fishermen. During the experimental session, two individuals of our target species, "Damba Menarambo" with the scientific name "Paretroplus menarambo", were captured by a Herring net used by local fishermen. It is noteworthy that this capture was made in the core area of Lake Tseny. This result indicates that the endemic species of this lake is threatened using their current nets. A community-level report presentation is scheduled soon before distributing the regulated nets to volunteer fishermen.
This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Darwin Initiative and Stiftung Artenschutz, as well as partnerships with the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT), DRPEB SOFIA, DREDD SOFIA, Vondron’Olona Ifotony, and the fishing cooperatives around Lake Tseny.
