WorldFish Center (formerly ICLARM) aquaculture experts, IITA economists, IRAD researchers and MINEPIA technicians formed a Research-Extension Team (RET) to undertake action research on the importance of markets in driving aquaculture intensification. The primary objective was to understand the processes that create increased opportunities for small-scale farmers to improve their livelihoods while decreasing pressure on natural resources in the forest margins of Central Cameroon. In addition, the costs and benefits of participatory research and increased availability of cultured fish for urban markets were documented.