In Mauritania, a new way to preserve the catch

Mauritania - located between Morocco and Senegal - is a desert land with 2 million people and 1 percent arable land. The country's marine fisheries are one of its few resources. But getting fish from the Atlantic coast to the vast hinterland is a problem because of spoilage.

The TeleFood Fund has donated US$7 878 to a fishing cooperative in the capital Nouakchott so that it can improve a fish drying operation.

In January, the project started with the identification of the site for the new drying plant and of experts who could teach 50 women how to process the fish. In March, drying tables were constructed and equipment such as tubs, knives, aprons and gloves were purchased. A tonne of salt was acquired for US$180.

By April, production got under way at the beachfront plant, a step towards improving the lives of the women workers and their families, and towards getting a good source of protein to citizens faraway from the coast.