The Northern Mozambique Channel is a region of remarkable biodiversity, endowed with vital habitats and serving as a sanctuary for marine and migratory species. However, the tranquility of this natural haven is under threat from urban development, oil and gas extraction, population growth, land-based pollution, and the impacts of climate change. To safeguard valuable resources and secure a prosperous future, the Northern Mozambique Channel (NoCaMo) project was created. The project aims to manage the marine and coastal resources of the Northern Mozambique Channel (NMC) while promoting sustainable development in the region. It adopts a holistic approach to Integrated Ocean Management and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 on Oceans by preserving marine ecosystems for future prosperity.
Poject progress updates
In June 2023, the project held its second Partners’ meeting. The first was held in February 2023. The second Partners’ meeting aimed to review the progress achieved in the three components to date, and establish a more robust coordination approach for activity implementation, roles, responsibilities, timeline, and reporting. It also aimed to discuss and find solutions to the challenges faced in the project’s execution. Additionally, the meeting sought to prepare for the first project steering committee (PSC) meeting to ensure effective decision-making and further project advancement. Speaking at the second Partners’ meeting, Ms. Aurelia Care, the Component 1 NoCaMo Project Coordinator, noted that as Nairobi Convention continues in its efforts to enhance ocean governance and information management, it has taken significant steps in fostering partnerships.”
Mr. Simon Mahood from WCS shared insights on the project’s focus area related to effective planning and best practices in the oil and gas sector. He stated they had “made significant strides in strengthening policies, applying laws, and enhancing capacity for best practices in mitigating impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services.”
Furthermore, discussions at the meeting stressed the need for coordination and clarification between capacity-building activities carried out by the Nairobi Convention and WWF Madagascar. Participants emphasized the critical role of sharing outcomes from different project components to ensure effective decision-making.
On Component 3 of the project, CORDIO’s presentation highlighted achievements in establishing community-based learning networks, identifying effective practices, and organizing workshops and exchange visits to secure community livelihoods and well-being through community-based marine resource management.
Present at the meeting as well were implementing partners; the MIHARI Network and AIDE Comoros who provided updates on their progress. MIHARI reported significant advancements in managing marine resources, stating that they had successfully identified effective practices and established learning networks involving local communities. They also mentioned the development of an online platform to support data collection and workshops, contributing to the adoption of successful practices for sustainable marine ecosystem management. In Comoros, the focus is on selecting good practices, organizing seminars, and collaborating with the Indian Ocean Commission on coral restoration and sea turtle conservation efforts.
A Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the project is scheduled to take place later in 2023. The steering committee will seek to approve strategic decisions, annual work plans, set project direction, review project progress, and identify additional funding for the implementation of the project.
The NoCaMo project is funded by Fonds Français pour L’Environnement Mondial (FFEM). The Nairobi Convention executes Component 1 of the project. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Madagascar coordinates components 2 and component 3 respectively implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and CORDIO East Africa.
For more details about the Northern Mozambique Channel project, contact Aurelia Care – [email protected] .
