Key facts
- Coastal communities in East Africa are developing new livelihoods as traditional fishing is threatened by climate change and overfishing.
- Women are spearheading initiatives such as ecotourism, beekeeping, and ecosystem restoration.
- In Kenya, women are restoring mangrove forests, while in Tanzania, communities are protecting coral reefs.
- Mozambique is seeing job creation through sea grass restoration efforts.
- Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a significant global economic and environmental issue.
- Conservation groups are advocating for the ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement to protect marine resources.
Coastal communities across East Africa are adapting to the changing ocean environment by developing new, sustainable livelihoods. As traditional fishing becomes increasingly difficult due to climate change, overfishing, and pollution, women are at the forefront of these innovative efforts. In Malindi, Kenya, Nuru Mohammed is opening a beachside restaurant using fishing nets as decor, providing a new income source for her family and community. This initiative reflects a broader trend where fisherfolk are turning to tourism, ecosystem restoration, and conservation-based businesses to redefine their relationship with the sea.
Across the region, women are actively involved in protecting marine habitats. In Kenya, restored mangrove forests are being utilized for beekeeping and ecotourism. Tanzania's Zanzibar archipelago sees fishing communities protecting coral reefs through managed closures, while Mozambique is creating jobs by restoring sea grass meadows. These efforts highlight a shift towards resilience, which involves restoring ocean ecosystems while simultaneously building enduring livelihoods.
Challenges persist, including competition with industrial trawlers and illegal fishing operations. Mohammed notes the difficulty in competing with large-scale operations, such as a nearby Chinese-owned fish processing facility. Similarly, fishermen in Lamu report significantly reduced catches compared to previous years, with some vessels allegedly violating regulations by fishing closer to shore than permitted. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is estimated to cost the global economy billions annually and threatens the food security of populations reliant on fish.
Conservation organizations emphasize the crucial role of local communities, particularly women, as stewards of the ocean. Jerry Mang’ena of Action for Ocean states that supporting sustainable livelihoods through aquaculture, eco-tourism, and ecosystem restoration helps families adapt and reduces pressure on marine environments. The recent Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa saw conservation groups urging African governments to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, a U.N. pact aimed at establishing marine protected areas and ensuring fair sharing of marine resources. This treaty, which entered into force in January, is seen as a vital tool for safeguarding the future of fisheries and coastal communities.