The Government and conservation organizations argued, during the Biodiversity Conference, for the need to include communities in the process of marine preservation through a combination of economic benefits and a “stronger and continuous” environmental education.
Marine biodiversity in the country faces threats that compromise sustainability. For example, overfishing and illegal fishing drastically reduce populations of commercial species and endanger natural balance. Meanwhile, coastal pollution resulting from solid waste, industrial discharge and urban sewage degrades sensitive habitats such as mangroves and coral reefs. And climate change intensifies extreme phenomena such as cyclones and rising sea levels, destroying communities and ecosystems that form part of the coastal identity itself.
Sustainability and environmental preservation have become central pillars in the international agendas of companies, governments and development organizations. However, experts warn that there is one actor who cannot be left out of this effort: coastal communities. Their active participation is seen as an essential condition for the success of marine conservation policies in Mozambique. This idea was widely emphasized during the 3rd Marine Biodiversity Conference (CBM), held in September in the city of Beira.
Approximately 1.2 to 1.4 million people live within or on the periphery of protected areas in Mozambique, directly depending on the natural resources that conservation aims to protect, creating a potential ongoing conflict.
Coastal communities at the centre of the agenda
Milagre Nuvunga, Executive Director of the Micaia Foundation, criticises the exclusion of local populations, as has occurred in some projects. “Communities depend on land and natural resources, but are often only called upon to obey rules that limit the use of these resources, without offering them alternatives.” She defended the creation of value chains that turn biodiversity into income. “We have the example of the Mozambique Honey Company, which exports honey to Europe and the United States, directly involving producers as shareholders. This model can be adapted to the sea, ensuring that conservation translates into improved livelihoods for families,” she said.
On the occasion, the private sector highlighted economic alternatives. Bruno de Oliveira, General Director of Selt Marine Mozambique, said that “coastal communities depend almost exclusively on fishing” and that diversification is urgent. “Seaweed farming has already proven to be a viable alternative. We work mostly with women, who gain their own source of income without relying solely on their husbands’ fishing. With greater support from the State and NGOs, Mozambique could even surpass Tanzania, which already has a consolidated industry,” he stated.
In the field of restoration, Jorge Mafuca, coordinator of Blue Forest, stressed that “without guaranteeing the legal rights of communities over their land, it is not possible to speak of effective conservation.” He revealed that his organisation is restoring 30,000 hectares of mangrove in Sofala and Zambezia, within a project covering 155,000 hectares in total. “The key is to create local management committees and empower communities. Only then can lasting results be ensured,” he explained.
Scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom
The conference also opened space for dialogue between traditional knowledge and scientific innovation. The councillor of Beira Municipality, Getúlio Manhique, presented the experience of “dream workshops,” participatory meetings that integrate community knowledge into urban planning. “We managed to involve the population so that they present the situation of their community, instead of waiting only for municipal technicians,” he said.
Researcher Raimundo Alberto Mulhaisse noted that “coastal communities use the lunar calendar to predict tides and species abundance” and that religious taboos end up restricting fishing in certain areas, functioning as traditional conservation mechanisms.
Meanwhile, the scientific community presented innovative proposals. Yathima Oraibo Abdul defended sustainable aquaculture, showing results from a mangrove crab farming project in Cabo Delgado with a 95% survival rate. Scheila Condelaque presented an initiative that converts plastic waste collected on beaches and mangroves into filaments for 3D printing. “Marine litter can and should be turned into raw material. Every discarded bottle is a lost innovation opportunity,” she stressed.
Environmental education and behavioural change
One of the recurring themes was the need to strengthen ocean literacy, especially in schools. Augusto Nhampossa, from the Natura Mozambique Association, warned that “there are schools located next to mangroves and coral reefs where field trips have never been organised. How can we expect future generations to defend what they never had the chance to experience?” He defended initiatives that expose children to conservation sites.
Débora Catena, consultant for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), added that “measures imposed from outside rarely work.” “It is essential to involve communities in identifying problems and building solutions,” because, according to the specialist, when fishers understand that destructive methods reduce their future income, they are more willing to change behaviour.
Youth were also present, showcasing creative awareness initiatives. Researcher Líria Luís Mário Artur highlighted that “music has proven to be a bridge between science and culture, facilitating understanding and appreciation of mangroves among the youngest.” Nélia Tomo, responsible for the Eco-Ação project in Maputo, demonstrated that “children are not just beneficiaries, but protagonists of conservation. They are future environmental leaders in training.”
Structural challenges remain
Eugénio Manhiça, from the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), identified the shortage of specialised staff as the first “major obstacle.” “Although we have a considerable number of technicians for terrestrial areas, in the marine component, the lack of qualified and specialised technicians is a major challenge,” he said. He warned of an imminent capacity crisis: “Within five years, most of our experienced staff will leave the system due to retirement age. It is a challenge to find a platform to retain this knowledge and ensure continuity.” Additionally, the lack of knowledge and adoption of efficient technologies to monitor the vast conservation network was another critical issue raised.
How to change this scenario? Funding was identified as one of the main challenges. Eugénio Manhiça cited a 2014 study estimating national system financing needs at 803 million meticais (12.5 million dollars) per year—largely dependent on external funds. Management costs per square kilometre were estimated between 15,968 and 19,161 meticais (250 to 300 dollars). “We have a network that requires enormous financial resources to manage,” he explained, noting that most funds still come from the State Budget and external financing, with little from innovative and sustainable revenue sources.
Socioeconomic pressure on protected areas was also highlighted. Manhiça indicated that around 1.2 to 1.4 million people live within or on the edges of these areas in Mozambique, depending directly on natural resources that conservation aims to protect, creating a permanent potential conflict.
Following successful examples
In contrast, Sean Nazeralli, from Biofund, presented three financing opportunities at different levels. First, at community level, he proposed the creation of community enterprises that sustainably and profitably exploit resources such as fish, charcoal or non-timber forest products, giving communities ownership, management and benefit. Second, at conservation area level, he advocated expanding co-management models, citing successful examples such as Gorongosa and Bazaruto National Parks, which attract financing and technical expertise from the private sector. Third, at national level, he suggested exploring “debt-for-nature swaps.”
Sean Nazeralli, from Biofund, advocated for the expansion of co-management models, such as the successful examples of Gorongosa and Bazaruto National Parks, which attract corporate financing.
These were many of the solutions presented during the event and which converge on the idea of including communities in biodiversity conservation through economic incentives supported by strong education.
The President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, presided over the opening session and stressed that Mozambique is “an ocean nation that needs to manage its marine resources sustainably and value natural capital as a pillar of the blue economy.”
Daniel Chapo reaffirmed the country’s international commitments, including the goal of protecting 30% of land and sea through the creation of environmental reserves by 2030. “We are here to reaffirm our Government’s involvement in protecting and preserving marine biodiversity, promoting solutions that generate employment, especially for youth, and strengthen the resilience of our coastal communities,” he declared.
Text: Nário Sixpene • Photography: Mariano Silva & D.R.
