This week, Peace Parks TV dives into the importance of practicing sustainable fishing in Maputo National Park, to promote ocean health and support local communities dependent on fishing for a living. The event brings together local government authorities, the park’s teams, and community leaders and fishing councils, as well as project partners Associação do Meio Ambiente (AMA). The 60 people attending include 35 men and women representing three local coastal fisheries.
In Mozambique and throughout the Western Indian Ocean, fish populations are dwindling. On a global scale, recent studies by the United Nations have revealed that fish stocks are declining at a significant rate due to overexploitation, ocean pollution, and habitat loss as climate patterns radically shift. In this component of Maputo National Park, the ocean is a vital source of nutrition and income through fishing, calling for an approach that is sensitive to the challenges of coexistence and the needs of local people.
The community fisheries councils play a key role in the management of fishing resources, supporting the government in decision-making and developing more practical activities. With AMA’s vital input, new expertise is equipping people with skills to better manage the coastal zone. More than 13 council gatherings to date have encouraged active participation amongst the communities, allowing them to share lessons, challenges, experiences, achievement and good practices to sustain the ocean – from which they can benefit directly. More, and bigger, fish will become available as stocks are protected – meaning that not only will fishermen bring in healthier yields, but the many women responsible for selling the fish will be able to bring home more income to support their families. A healthier ocean is supporting more financially secure households.
Marine and coastal protection within the Maputo Environmental Protection Area, Mozambique, has been given a significant boost with a €5.9m grant awarded to Peace Parks Foundation and ADRA Germany as sub-grantee, by Blue Action Fund through funding from the Green Climate Fund. Together with Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), the Blue Action Fund Kuvikela Programme is bringing together expert partners, such as AMA, to implement projects which are protecting and restoring the region’s unique ecosystems. This approach is also focusing on building the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities, heavily dependent on natural resources, against the impacts of climate change.
Maputo National Park is co-managed by ANAC and Peace Parks, who are jointly committed to restoring, protecting and developing this land- and seascape, which sits within one of the most biologically diverse and endangered ecoregions on Earth. Blue Action Fund, founded in 2016, has become one of the world’s largest public funders promoting marine conservation and sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities, and bolstering the vital strategies discussed in global ocean and climate negotiations.
This change-making collaborative event showcases the sense of shared commitment and action in driving sustainable fishing, for the benefit of both the environment and the communities who depend on it.
Stay tuned to Peace Parks TV for more on the ground action.
