Mozambique

SCALE Demonstration on Pemba Bay

In May 2011, G-FISH launched a five-month pilot SCALE demonstration focused on Pemba Bay in Mozambique. Over the past decade the Pemba fishery has faced heavy pressure from both artisanal and commercial fisheries negatively impacting the productivity of the fishery. G-FISH is using SCALE to demonstrate that through an effective outreach strategy, local stakeholders can collaborate to bring positive change to the fishery. Through the SCALE process, local stakeholders are working together more effectively to own the issue of improving the health of the Pemba Bay fishery which will improve livelihoods, food security, and biodiversity conservation.

G-FISH, working through local Communication Facilitators and has formed an Advisory Group of 10-12 stakeholders. Since May, G-FISH has facilitated two tours to the Quirimbas National Park and organized a Whole-System-in-the-Room (WSR) event to produce collaborative work plans that commit stakeholders to discrete activities to improve Pemba Bay.

The WSR, a three day participant-guided retreat was held in July 26-28, 2011. The purpose of the retreat was to gather key stakeholders working on issues related to fisheries development in Pemba Bay, enhance inter-sector communications, and create collaborative work plans focused on creating a sustainable fishery and healthier ecosystem for Pemba Bay. The whole system was gathered at the Catholic University of Mozambique in Pemba under the theme "Improving Livelihoods through Sustainable Fisheries in Pemba Bay". There were 69 participants representing eight stakeholder groups: government, fishers, community leaders, researchers, middle men, media, NGOs/associations, and the private sector.

Eight common goals were agreed upon by all participants. Conservation of the environment was a consistent theme for a number of groups who made it a key component of their common goals. Everyone agreed to pursue, the following common goals (in no particular order) in the next ten years:

• Improve Conservation and Management of Marine Resources
• Improve Communications for Collaboration and Coordination
• Increase Training and Capacity in Best Practices
• Greater Promotion of Alternatives to Fishing Activities
• Improve Monitoring and Regulations
• Create More Research Initiatives in the Fisheries Sector
• Increase Investment in Infrastructure
• Encourage More Associations

As a result of the WSR, stakeholders form three committees aimed at realizing the common ground goals. These committees were a Conservation Committee tasked with improving fisheries management and biodiversity conservation of the Bay; a Communications Committee promoting public awareness and a call to action in line with the Conservation Committee's goals; and final a Research Committee with the aim of connecting research initiatives' objective with the needs and demands of Pemba Bay communities. For a full report of the WSR, please click here.

Since the WSR, the Conservation and Communications Committees have met frequently, held community sensitization meetings, and are developing a strategy to implement Marine Protect Areas (MPA) around Pemba Bay to improve fisheries and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, a local research effort through Lorio University is planning a stock assessment and critical habitat mapping of Pemba Bay. Our Committees are working to align this research project's outcomes so results provide scientifically sound research to the formation of MPAs.