Sustainable Native Species Aquaculture for Food Security and Biodiversity Protection in Lake Tanganyika

Restoring Lake Tanganyika’s fish supply through sustainable native tilapia aquaculture, boosting food security.

Lead organisation: Tanganyika Blue
Country: Tanzania

Tanganyika Blue is restoring Lake Tanganyika’s fish supply by developing sustainable native tilapia aquaculture. This initiative builds a breeding facility and expands a DNA-verified broodstock of native fish from five lake districts. By selectively breeding native tilapia, Tanganyika Blue aims to increase growth rates and reduce feed needs, making native aquaculture profitable and reducing reliance on invasive Nile tilapia. This protects the lake’s unique biodiversity while supporting local food security. Additionally, this initiative provides training for community members and government officials, creates jobs, and aligns with national conservation plans, building a resilient, nature-positive fish farming industry.