Problem:

Lionfish is an invasive species in the Caribbean that’s eating crucial native species, endangering the livelihood of local fishermen and the environment. It has no natural predator in this waters and can lay over 2'000.000 eggs per year.

Lionfish is venomous to human contact and the tools to capture it in a safe way are unaffordable for local fishermen.

The Ministry asked us to create a solution that helped fishermen lose fear of hunting Lionfish. A promotional item that invited them to hunt this menace in a sustainable way.

Main issue:

The tools to catch Lionfish in a safe way are unaffordable for fishermen.

Holding bag – US$ 55.00

Polespear – US$ 65.00

Artisan fishery is the the only way fishermen around the country hunt Lionfish. The Lionfish is venomous to human contact and fishermen are afraid of hunting it.

Process:

We developed 3 designs based on recycled materials fishermen could find anywhere. We made 4 prototypes of each weapon until we finally tried them on the Caribbean Sea. The design process took 5 months.

The promotional item given to fishermen, showed them step by step how to assemble a Priceless Weapon.

Results:

The cost of the weapons reduced by 96.4% or even for free.

Fishermen live with US$6 a day. The commercial value of one Lionfish is US$8.

The Ministry has done over 100 workshops teaching fishermen the importance of hunting Lionfish.

More than 1000 promotional items have been delivered to fishermen.

Client

Colombia's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development is the government agency in charge of the natural resources of the country and their correct distribution and exploitation.

The Marine, Coastal and Aquatic Affairs division has worked with the agency for over 2 years in the campaign to control the Lionfish Invasion.