Sea cucumber farming The Toliara region used to be rich in sea cucumber. This sea fruit feeds on dead and decaying organic material, algae and plankton and cleans the seawater. Holothuria Scabra is one of the most valuable sorts, as it is broadly used for human consumption in China. The growing demand from the Far East and the high prices have led to over harvesting in Madagascar. If this trend continues, the Toliara region will become depleted.The quantity of sea cucumber already dropped from 600 tons per annum in 1990 to 40 tons in 2009. Over the past ten years, the shareholders of the local company Copefrito SA and the Madagascar Holothurie SA (university of Toliara and two Belgium universities) have undertaken research in improved reproduction, cultivation and sustainable management of the sea cucumber population. Also, sea cucumber farming trials are being done with the aim to develop commercial aquaculture of the sort Holothuria Scabra, taking into consideration the preservation of its natural stock.Together with the applicant Madagascar Seafood S.A.S., the partners have established a joint venture for a sea cucumber hatchery, nursery, farming activity and processing facility to and employ and trained about 140 staff members. In the processing facility dried and processed organic sea cucumber (trepang) is produced for export to Asia.Moreover, the project partners collaborate with about 300 small fishermen in neighbouring village communities, to support their sustainable sea cucumber farming. Farmers are supplied with input materials and additional knowledge. By buying their produce, the joint venture guarantee them a steady and fair income, while diminishing the pressure on the natural stock of sea cucumber in the region.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Despite the fact that the partners would have liked to have an organic certification for Holothuria production, this seemed to be not feasible, for there is no MSC certificate that applies to aquaculture. Therefore, a HACCP certificate for the processing facility was obtained.The joint venture is paying about 30% above the minimum salary, provides pension and health insurance. Moreover, there where necessary, they will help the fishermen village to stock stores with basic needs. Moreover, trainings are given to fisher communities on environment conservation, HIV/AIDS, health, hygiene and family planning. Also, an extensive outgrowers programme was set up.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsAt the end of the PSI project the joint venture established 130 basic-level jobs and 34 medium-/high-level jobs are created. At the end of the spin-off phase this will have grown to 144 basic-level jobs and 69 medium-/high-level jobs. The employees will at least earn 130% of the minimum salary. Safe and healthy working conditions are ensured. Also, transport and daily lunches are provided. Scholarships are given to most successful students and a common fund for employees will be put in place for family health problems.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe project injects new knowledge on responsible sea cucumber aquaculture methods among fish farmer and their direct employees. The University of Toliara is involved to share this knowledge and do research on the joint venture practises. Special training have been also provided on hygiene for HACCP certification. At fishermen village level, training on preservation of natural resources will be of high importance.•	Chain effectsThe main impact of the project was the inclusion of coastal communities.The joint venture aimed for the participation of 300 fishermen, while in the spin-off this can grow to 750. The initial outgrowers schemes has been set up in close collaboration with two NGOs: Sea Doctors and Blue Venture.•	EnvironmentSea cucumbers are vital organisms that sustain the equilibrium of coastal ecosystems. They clean the sediment of the sea by eating various organic debris. The project combats the depletion of sea cucumbers in the Malachi sea, since collectors are stimulated not to collect from the wild, but use the controlled aquaculture.Moreover, the sea cucumber aquaculture restock the sea with larvae. In the sea farm, the Holothuria adults reproduces according to the natural process. Since the sea farm has an open connection with the sea, the current spreads the larvae to other parts of the sea.An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been carried out. Throughout, the whole process no chemical substances are used. Therefore, the Holothuria production are considered as “organic”. However, it is not possible to get a certification for this for this specific product. For electricity use the partners installed solar panels.Also, the partners are working with local authorities and the governments on environmental issues.•	Position of womenThe joint venture employs about 83 women, this is 40% of the total workforce. The work in the sea farm will mainly be done by men, because this is tough work. To establish the first community based commercial sea cucumber cultivation and processing facility to produce 5 tons of organic trepang annually.