Fishmeal from invasive species: project launched in the Dominican Republic

Laguna Saladilla is a valuable wetland located in the northwest of the Dominican Republic, in Montecristi Province, near the community of Carbonera and the border with Haiti. This ecosystem includes lagoons, mangroves, dry forests, and saline savannas, and is home to rich biodiversity that supports local fisheries and numerous species of waterbirds—both native and migratory, including those arriving from Florida.

Although it is part of the Refugio de Vida Silvestre, the lagoon is threatened by deforestation, climate change, and illegal land occupation - factors that have drastically reduced its water volume (from 35.5 to 5.5 units). This decline puts at risk the water supply, food security, and habitats essential to hundreds of families and agricultural activities.

Today, conserving Laguna Saladilla is a collective challenge: protecting its waters, flora, and fauna is essential to ensure the survival of one of the most important ecosystems in the region.

On 20 November 2025, at the Club Cultural de Carbonera, the project “Participatory management of natural resources in the Laguna Saladilla Wildlife Refuge” was officially launched. The initiative is promoted by AVSI in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The event brought together local authorities, representatives of key institutions, and community members, all of whom expressed interest in and support for protecting this ecosystem. Participants included the mayor of Cañongo, Tony Morel; Ministry of Education representative Masara Then; Lenin Inoa, president of the Laguna Saladilla Fishermen’s Association; Miguel Ángel Sabala, provincial director of the Environment in Montecristi; MMARN representative Catalino Valenzuela De Los Santos; and park administrator Herminio Pérez.

The goal is clear: to strengthen community-based management of the ecosystem through concrete actions that combine environmental protection with local economic development.

One of the project’s activities is the production of fishmeal from invasive species, such as the armored catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus), which threatens the biodiversity of Laguna Saladilla.

This innovative solution offers both environmental and economic benefits:

The process will be controlled and certified, including laboratory analyses, and will directly involve fishers, farmers, and livestock breeders.

The project goes beyond fishmeal production. It also includes:

In the coming months, AVSI will continue its work with the management committee and will launch fishmeal production, along with collaboration with schools on environmental education. Thanks to the partnership between JICA, MMARN, and local communities, the project represents a replicable model for other areas affected by invasive species.