CI Ventures Announces New Funding for ABALOBI, a Sustainable Fisheries Organization and Earthshot Prize Finalist

Announcement comes after the Prince of Wales, Conservation International CEO Dr. M. Sanjayan, and ABALOBI founders visit local fisheries in Cape Town.

Cape Town, November 7, 2024 – On Thursday, as part of Earthshot Week, the Prince of Wales joined Conservation International CEO Dr. M. Sanjayan and the founders of sustainable fisheries organization ABALOBI to see firsthand how local fishers are advancing sustainable fisheries through an innovative model.

To support these efforts, CI Ventures, Conservation International’s investment program, is announcing a $250,000 flexible finance investment in ABALOBI’s Fisher-to-Marketplace program. This working capital will enable ABALOBI to build an inventory of green-listed fish species to meet new export demands, helping small-scale fishers expand their reach to more customers.

ABALOBI, a 2023 Earthshot Finalist, operates a tech platform that ensures traceability through cold-chain logistics, allowing small-scale fishers to sell premium-quality catch directly to customers.

Working with over 2,000 fishers in Southern Africa, ABALOBI logs over 200 species and 1,000 tons annually, with 95% of species sold through the platform on the green list of species that are most sustainably managed. Fish are handline-caught within a responsible fishing scheme, ensuring traceability and reducing bycatch.

“Just this week while in Cape Town I had the chance to eat Cape Bream and Yellowtail along with other Earthshot trustees, straight from the ABALOBI app. This is the kind of investment that promotes sustainable fishing practices that emphasize locally abundant fish species,” said Dr. Sanjayan. “Fishers can maximize income, while customers receive the freshest catch via an app-based marketplace—supporting resilient fisheries and healthier oceans.”

ABALOBI’s market-leading margins offered to fishers highly incentivize them to log and sell most of their catch through the Marketplace. All registered vessels are tracked, reducing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. ABALOBI’s data tools and technology are also being piloted by partners in 12 countries, including Kenya and Chile.

“Market access for local communities is a vital but often overlooked factor in conservation,” noted Bjorn Stauch, Senior Vice President of Nature Finance at Conservation International. “With this investment, we’re deepening our collaboration with ABALOBI to support sustainable livelihoods and responsible practices.”

Together, Conservation International and ABALOBI aim to advance community-based coastal fisheries and promote marine stewardship through this strategic partnership.

CI Ventures is also supporting Coast 4C, a finalist for this year’s Earthshot Prize. Coast 4C provides technical assistance and services to small-scale seaweed farmers in the Philippines to sustainably increase seaweed production, minimize coral reef damage and marine plastic pollution, and ensure that seaweed farming contributes to ocean health.

In the wake of Super Typhoon Odette, CI Ventures invested in Coast 4C to help rebuild critical infrastructure, including processing and storage facilities, and to provide “input packages” containing essential materials for farmers to resume operations. So far, Coast 4C has delivered training to over 400 farmers.

Backing nature-positive businesses within the blue economy is key to safeguarding our oceans, tackling climate change, and fostering economic resilience in communities most impacted by climate threats. Investing in small-scale farmers and fishers is essential to driving real, lasting impact for both people and the planet.

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About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Visit Conservation.org for more, and follow us on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. 

About ABALOBI: ABALOBI builds sustainable small-scale fishing communities using world-first data technologies. Its fisher-led approach creates inclusive, community-led technologies, supporting ecological, economic, and social sustainability in fisheries. Collaborating with coastal communities, the company develops catch data and traceability technology, empowering fishermen to build sustainable livelihoods and advance fisheries rebuilding. ABALOBI reimagines seafood systems through meaningful partnerships, ensuring inclusivity and impactful change.