Fishers of Change
A collaborative effort bringing together cage fish farmers, scientists, and government experts to tackle fish health challenges on Lake Victoria—building knowledge, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods through education and innovation.
Learning from Experts, Empowering Farmers
Lake Victoria’s cage fish farming communities face significant challenges from disease outbreaks and harmful cyanobacterial blooms (cyanoHABs) that threaten fish health, food security, and local economies. To address these issues, this project brought together key partners—the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Cornell University, and the Kenya Ministry of Fisheries—to provide hands-on training and scientific support to cage farmers.
Through a series of workshops led by experts including Dr. Fiorella from Cornell and officials from the Ministry of Fisheries, farmers learned essential biosecurity practices, pathogen monitoring, and strategies to manage antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These sessions equipped farmers with practical tools to reduce fish mortality and improve aquaculture sustainability.
The documentary captures these community-led efforts, featuring voices from cage farmers, researchers, and government officials. It highlights how scientific research—from water testing to pathogen diagnostics—is translated into actionable knowledge that empowers farmers to protect their livelihoods and contribute to healthier aquatic ecosystems.
This initiative exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and local engagement in tackling complex environmental and economic challenges facing Lake Victoria’s fisheries.
