Mozambique -Nairobi Convention Engagement

In executing its projects, the Nairobi Convention is collaborating with governments and other stakeholders to implement the following demonstration projects in Mozambique: 

Despite the importance of seagrass to biodiversity and local livelihoods, floods, sedimentation, and destructive fishing have caused the number of seagrass beds in Maputo and Inhambane Bays to plunge, as highlighted by the project proponents. Harvesting of invertebrate foods (such as clams) has led to a loss of biodiversity in seagrass. This project is developing a seagrass action plan that would collect ecological, economic, and social information on invertebrate fisheries and engage communities in seagrass restoration and conservation. Outcomes of the project would include a better understanding of the relationship between seagrass and invertebrate fisheries, a sustainability strategy for seagrass, and documentation of seagrass areas for restoration and their economic value.  

Proponents: Eduardo Mondlane University, Ocean Revolution Mozambique, KUWUKA -JDA, and partners. 

Ben Jones/Ocean Image Bank

Mangroves provide nesting and breeding habitats for marine life, support fisheries, help maintain water quality, and slow erosion. However, the project proponents outline how deforestation, floods, and cyclones are decimating the mangrove forest in the Limpopo Estuary. This project aims to demonstrate how mangrove management could be improved in Xai Xai district through restoration projects, a community-based management system, and the generation of baseline information to support decision-making. 

The project will result in the designing of a community-led local management plan, the conducting of carbon inventories in mangrove stands, and enhanced management decision-making. 

Proponents: Center for Sustainable Development of Coastal Zones, Eduardo Mondlane University, National Institute of Fisheries Research, and partners. 

For more on WIOSAP demonstartion projects, click here. 

Mussel is not only a high demand marine product in Mozambique, but also globally owing to its high nutritional value. Unfortunately, this resource has been on a rapid decline because of overexploitation. Loss of this resource translates to loss of income for communities in Inhaca island. This project’s proponents aim to restore the ‘mussel economy’ by repopularizing sustainable mussel aquaculture on Inhaca island. This project enables residents of the Island to practice Mussel aquaculture as an alternative source of income, complimented by other natural resources; also declining alarmingly, if not depleted. 

In addition, this project will reduce pressure on natural stocks, promote ecotourism and also reduce inappropriate mussel culture systems. 

Proponents: Instituto Nacional de Denvolvimento de Pesca e Aquacultura (IDEPA) 

Mussels

In executing the SAPPHIRE project, the Nairobi Convention has initiated the updating of Mozambique’s MEDA and the Transboundary Diagnosis Analyses (TDAs), developed under the ASCLME project. The MEDAs will provide each country with an updated assessment of their ecosystems within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and provide them with a baseline document upon which they can base their National Action Plans (NAP) for the sustainable management of marine resources. 

Moreover, the scope of the MEDAs will be expanded to include assessments of land-based sources of pollution—i.e. issues addressed by SAPPHIRE’s sister project, WIOSAP –meaning that countries will have their first-ever “Ridge to Reef” assessment of their marine ecosystems. The findings will be fed into an expanded regional Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and prioritize areas of concern that can be addressed through a merged Strategic Action Programme (SAP).

File Name: NC-Demo-Activities-in-Mozambique.pdf

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The world, including Mozambique, has committed to protecting at least 10% of its marine and coastal areas by 2020 under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.5. 

Under the WIOSAP project, the Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA have released the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Outlook, the first-ever publication to examine the progress, challenges, and opportunities faced by states in the WIO, including Mozambique, as they strive to achieve SDG 14.5. 

Click here for Mozambique’s chapter and here for a dashboard outlining Mozambique’ progress towards achieving SDG 14.5. 

The Nairobi Convention is supporting the establishment of multi-stakeholder initiatives in Mozambique in partnership with the Western Indian Ocean Governance Initiative (WIOGI). These multi-stakeholder initiatives will among other benefits, contribute to improved ocean governance in the Western Indian Ocean, provide a regional platform or mechanism for stakeholders to collaboratively address the development of a sustainable blue economy, leverage on investments in the blue economy, accelerate the creation of blue jobs, improve coastal zone management for climate resilience and productivity, and restore critical ecosystems and fisheries.