Enterprising fisheries biodiversity conservation through e-commerce and ecotourism

Under Strategic Approach number 4 (SA4), REFRESH Project is supporting conservation enterprises (CEs) both technically and financially. The aim is to empower communities, both committees and individual enterprises to generate income while conserving biodiversity with focus on fisheries conservation in all the 8 districts along Lake Malawi.

In Mangochi district, Alinafe Online Limited (AOL) is one of the CEs which have been supported financially through grants by REFRESH Project. AOL is working with 4 Beach Village Committees (BVCs) namely; Namaso, Nkhudzi, Mbeya and Chembe all in the area of Senior Chief Namkumba.

For the past three days, AOL together with REFRESH Project and the Department of Fisheries conducted visits to all the BVCs in order to digitize various product the committees are producing apart from managing fish sanctuaries which are a source of tourist attraction. When promoted on its website, AOL will sell the products and profits made will be shared between AOL and the committees and individuals as per the already signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AOL and the BVCs.

Products digitized include; fish sanctuaries, crafts, farm produce (tomatoes and sweet potatoes), traditional food and the famous traditional dance (Gule wa mkuru). Once tourists and interested customer visit and buy these products from the BVCs the committees will generate income which shall help sustain their various fisheries conservation activities.

REFRESH Project is a five year project which aims to restore fisheries in eight districts along Lake Malawi and is funded by USAID through Pact Malawi and is implemented by Community Initiative for Self-Reliance (CISER) in Mangochi district.

Self-Reliance (CISER) in Mangochi district.