Restoring marine ecosystems, Returning profits to communities.
What We Do
Asili develops restorative aquaculture models that benefit people and ecosystems.
Our mission is to fund and support the creation and ongoing protection of a vast network of community-led no-take marine reserves that spillover profit and ecosystem services to coastal communities.
We specialise in community-centric sea ranching of the tropical sea cucumber species Holothuria scabra or Sandfish.
Financial Benefits
Sustainable and non-extractive incomes for fishing communities.
Access to funds for development and entrepreneurship.
Social Benefits
Increased relevance, support and training of resource management organisations.
Community members have access to well paid and specialised work.
Environmental Benefits
Endangered sea cucumbers populations returned to pre-fished densities.
Vast marine areas are fully protected by the local communities.
Why the sandfish ?
Sandfish are one of the most valuable tropical sea cucumbers, and because of this they are also a longtime resident of the IUCN red list. A critically endangered species threatened by decades of overfishing.
These “earthworms of the ocean” are essential ecosystem engineers within the seagrass meadows they inhabit, enhancing the productivity, carbon sequestration and overall health of these threatened marine habitats. They also play an essential role for coral growth.
Reintroduction of these sea cucumbers to areas where their populations are threatened or already locally extinct has proven and meaningful ecosystem benefits. The sustainable harvest of mature animals brings productive revenues into communities that were often entirely dependent on extractive fishing.
Sea cucumber ranching supports equitable conservation.
