Peces para la Vida (Amazon Fish for Food) is improving the contribution of fish to food security and poverty reduction, particularly in women, children and indigenous families in the Bolivian Amazon.
Being nutritional and healthy, fish is an essential component of a balanced diet and an important contributor to food security. Fish consumption is very low in Bolivia, and mainly sourced from imported products. Although the fisheries and aquaculture sectors face difficulties, these sectors have great potential to provide quality products and meet domestic demand. In addition, fish production can improve the living conditions of indigenous families and farming communities in the Bolivian Amazon.
Peces para la Vida began its operations in 2011, as a cooperation between Faunagua, World Fisheries Trust and Agua Sustentable, supported by the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF). The objective of the project is to contribute to food security in Bolivia by strengthening the fish value chains, in partnership between actors and institutions. During its first phase of activities (2011-2014), the project conducted numerous studies of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, to analyze and improve the supply chain, strengthen the sectors, and promote fish consumption. The products and results of phase 1 are available on our website, highlighted with the yellow mark PPV1.
In 2015, Peces para la Vida entered its second operational phase, forming new alliances and consolidating its results in order to replicate and expand the positive experiences identified in the first phase.
Optimize sustainable management practices of Paiche (Arapaima gigas) and replicate them in indigenous communities.
Improve and disseminate fish marketing strategies, improving fish quality, to increase income and household nutrition.
Develop and provide financial support mechanisms to expand small-scale entrepreneurship in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Increase livelihoods through small-scale family farming, focusing on the leadership of women, environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Contribute to building a favourable environment for the governance of fisheries and aquaculture in Bolivia.
Contribute to the understanding of concepts and practices to replicate successful experiences on a larger scale.