The Government of Mozambique has reaffirmed its commitment to conserving coastal ecosystems and ensuring the sustainable management of marine territories. It emphasized the importance of key instruments such as the National Marine Policy and Strategy and the Maritime Spatial Plan, which serve as pillars for the country’s environmental and socioeconomic sustainability.
According to the Mozambican News Agency (AIM), the position was presented on Saturday (11) in Maputo by Felizmina Antina, National Director for Marine Affairs, during her participation in Linha Directa, a Radio Mozambique program.
With 2,500 kilometers of coastline and 95% of its coastal population relying on the sea, Mozambique faces urgent challenges to safeguard its marine biodiversity.
Stretching along approximately 2,500 kilometers of coastline — home to nearly 95% of Mozambique’s coastal population — the country faces serious threats to marine biodiversity, including pollution, resource overexploitation, and climate change impacts.
“To address these challenges, the Government has implemented strategic tools such as the National Marine Policy and Strategy, the Maritime Spatial Plan, and the Blue Economy Strategy, approved in July 2024,” said Antina, stressing that it is “essential to keep the ocean alive by preserving underwater life.”
She added that these frameworks define specific zones for various maritime activities, allowing for a sustainable use of marine resources — including mangroves, coral reefs, and key fishing habitats. Antina also noted that districts and coastal municipalities are empowered to monitor and ensure responsible management of marine ecosystems.
Meanwhile, Alexandra Jorge, Executive Director of the Mozambique Biodiversity Fund (BioFund), reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting marine conservation and engaging both local communities and youth in environmental preservation.
“We have been promoting mangrove and coral reef restoration projects that directly involve local communities. It’s rewarding to see that, after a cyclone, people now know where to replant mangroves to protect their territory. This shows that environmental awareness is growing,” said Jorge.
She emphasized that environmental education and community involvement are vital to ensure that marine resources continue to provide food and livelihoods for coastal populations. BioFund’s initiatives, she added, also enhance coordination among public, private, and academic sectors, promoting biodiversity management based on scientific data.
Academics stress that science-based strategies are essential to protect coastal ecosystems that sustain Mozambique’s economy and food security.
In the same program, Mozambican academics underlined the central role of scientific research in marine biodiversity conservation. Salomão Bandeira, professor at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) and curator of the university’s herbarium, highlighted the need to monitor coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs, which shelter much of the country’s marine life and serve as breeding grounds for economically valuable species.
“When these ecosystems are unhealthy, the entire food chain — and the livelihoods of coastal communities — are at risk. We need clear, research-driven strategies to preserve them,” Bandeira stated.
José Basílio, lecturer at Licungo University (UniLicungo), emphasized academia’s role in training young researchers and developing sustainable solutions. He explained that students in environmental management master’s programs are encouraged to understand how ecosystems function and to promote balanced relationships between communities and natural resources.
Isabel Marques da Silva, professor at Lúrio University (UniLúrio) and director of the Environmental Conservation Research Center (CICA), cited ongoing mangrove and coral reef restoration projects carried out in collaboration with local communities. “It is encouraging to see that, after extreme weather events, coastal populations already demonstrate knowledge of ecological restoration practices — reflecting a growing commitment to conservation,” she said.
Experts concluded by warning that most of the protein consumed by Mozambicans comes from the sea, underscoring the urgency of protecting marine resources as a cornerstone of food security and as the basis for an integrated approach combining science, public policy, and community participation.
Source: Diário Económico
