Although the Mozambique LNG project (Area 1) is currently on hold, TotalEnergies continues to promote initiatives to support communities in the districts of Cabo Delgado affected by terrorism.
One of the main actions underway is the Sustainable Fishing Programme, recently presented at the ‘Bay of Opportunities’ space, dedicated to socio-economic initiatives linked to the oil company. According to Luís Silva, Livelihoods Supervisor in the Fisheries Area at TotalEnergies, the main aim of this programme is to promote sustainable fishing practices in the districts of Palma and Mocímboa da Praia, regions where this is the main economic activity of the communities living there.
The programme is structured around three essential components: training fishermen in modern fishing techniques, which increase productivity without compromising marine resources; the introduction of fish conservation and processing methods, which guarantee quality during and after catching; and the organisation of fishermen into cooperatives and Co-Management Committees, allowing the activity to be formalised and encouraging shared management of maritime resources.
According to Luís Silva, ‘the initiative has been implemented in various localities in Palma, including Quirinde, Quiuia, Palma Sede, Maganja and Quitunda, as well as in the municipality of Mocímboa da Praia’, areas where a total of ‘375 fishermen are already involved in some way with this programme’, whose main focus ‘is to restore local livelihoods, promoting more efficient and sustainable practices, as well as generating income by selling fish in good conservation conditions.’
TotalEnergies facilities
TotalEnergies, through the Mozambique LNG project, has provided boats, nets, engines and training to the fishermen. ‘In Quitunda, 12 boats have been delivered, fully equipped with engines, GPS systems, safety equipment and cool boxes, which allow fish to be kept on ice while fishing. In addition, an ice factory was set up in Palma, with the capacity to produce ten tonnes of flake ice a day, guaranteeing the preservation of fish until it is sold.’
The Co-Management Committees, or Community Fisheries Councils (CCP), play a fundamental role in the sustainable management of marine resources. These groups, recognised by the government, are made up of fishermen and other members of the community who help monitor fishing activities, ensuring compliance with the sector’s laws and participating in the licensing process. A percentage of the fees collected goes to the CCPs, ensuring their financial sustainability.
Fishermen’s cooperatives, meanwhile, represent another key component of the programme. Organised collaboratively, the fishermen manage the resources provided by TotalEnergies, such as boats and equipment, sharing the profits generated equally. In Quitunda, 12 cooperatives have been set up, each specialising in a fishing technique, such as nets or diving. These structures also play an important role in the commercialisation of fish, negotiating better conditions and increasing their members’ incomes.
With these initiatives, TotalEnergies is reinforcing its commitment to local communities, investing in the sustainability and economic recovery of regions affected by terrorism.
