In the Comoros, where seafood accounts for more than 70% of protein consumed in rural areas, artisanal fishing is a cornerstone of food security and family well-being. However, fishing pressure, destructive techniques, and the effects of climate change are damaging coral reefs and reducing catches. Faced with these challenges, the fishermen and women of Anjouan are mobilizing to establish No-Take-Zone, giving ecosystems the time to regenerate in a sustainable way.
To ensure the buy-in of the communities, Dahari has incorporated economic incentives ...helping to offset the short-term negative impacts of establishing reserves, while strengthening the fisheries sector in the long term. This support—including solar-powered freezers, fish-processing techniques, Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), and agricultural assistance—is now an integral part of Dahari’s holistic approach to protecting reefs without undermining the families that depend on them.
1- Solar freezers: fewer losses, greater stability
Post-harvest losses are a major issue in the Comoros. Between 11% and 21% of fishery products spoil due to a lack of appropriate preservation facilities and unreliable access to electricity (according to a 2022 study). To address this, Dahari installed its first solar-powered freezer in Vassy in 2023. The equipment makes it possible to store fish for longer periods, produce ice, and generate income for the local association. Over two years, the freezer has yielded more than 1,000 euros in profit, which has been partially reinvested into community development projects and the maintenance of the permanent reserve.
In 2025, a second solar-powered freezer was provided to the isolated community of Maweni ya Nkangani. Here, too, the impact was immediate: reduced spoilage, higher-quality products, and tangible support for ongoing discussions regarding the establishment of a future permanent reserve.
"Since it was gifted to us, this freezer has become one of the most useful pieces of equipment in the village. Compared to other forms of aid we have received, I find this one to be of particular value, as it allows us to preserve food items—such as cassava leaves or fish—which freeze very well. I believe this freezer provides a real and significant benefit to our community." This is highlighted by Ms. Chaambati Ousseni, president of the Ouvoimoja wa Dahari association of Maweni ya Nkangani.
2- Drying and smoking: adding value to products
To limit waste and diversify income, Dahari trains the women’s fishing associations Maecha Bora and Fikira Ndjema in techniques for drying and smoking fish, as well as drying octopus. Dried octopus is particularly sought after—sometimes even requested from neighboring islands—providing these women with an opportunity to generate additional income while adding value to their catch.
The training programs are accompanied by technical support and equipment upgrades—which enhance the quality of the products offered—as well as the organization of local fairs to promote these goods. In 2025, the association Maecha Bora generated approximately 500 euros in net profit; a portion of this goes directly to the women who carry out the drying process, while the remainder is added to the association’s funds.
Although competition from imported products—notably from Madagascar—limits profit margins, the women emphasize that this activity provides a steady source of modest income, while also improving household food security.
3- FADs: supporting offshore fishing and reducing pressure on reefs
When the first permanent reserve in Vassy was established in 2021, Dahari installed a Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) to improve offshore catches. This floating structure creates an artificial habitat that attracts pelagic fish, thereby increasing catch yields; this allows fishers to boost their harvests while simultaneously reducing pressure on coastal reefs and the need for long journeys out to sea.
A new FAD (fish aggregating device), tailored to the needs of fishers using traditional canoes, is planned to support the recent expansion of the reserve; another has already been installed at Kowe, where the community is discussing the creation of its own reserve.
Amir Soufi, a member of the Twama Ya Ulozi fishing association in Kowe, tells us more about it: "It’s a little haven we’ve created for the fish—both large and small—that come here to hang out. There’s food around this FAD [fish aggregating device]. Now, many fish pass through this area, which allows us fishermen to fish in peace. We often meet up here—those of us in dugout canoes and those in motorboats. There might be five or six of us, and by the end of the day, everyone manages to head home with at least 10 kilos of fish."
4- Agriculture as an economic safety net
In Anjouan, most fishers are also farmers. Dahari supports them in their cultivation of food and market crops by using agroecological practices tailored to local conditions. This diversification helps maintain a supplementary income—especially during periods when fishing yields are low—and contributes to reducing an exclusive reliance on the sea.
This agricultural support is reserved for fishers who are engaged in the management of marine resources, which strengthens their involvement in community-based governance.
"This year, I took a special interest in the cassava, watermelon, and pigeon peas that I planted. It gave me great pleasure to see the yields this year." “I eat, I earn an income, and people come to me here with requests—which I’m able to fulfill—so that they might find the courage to join me in this work.” Hidaya Hakim, a member of the Maecha Bora association in Dzindri.
In brief
The economic incentives implemented by Dahari are not merely forms of compensation. They strengthen the fisheries sector, improve household economic security, and support the commitment of fishers to establishing permanent reserves—a key tool for restoring the Comoros’ coral reefs.
Today, ten communities in southwestern Anjouan are working to consolidate or establish their own permanent reserves. Other villages are drawing inspiration from the results seen in Vassy, where fishers are witnessing the return of certain species and an increase in catches around the protected reef. By working hand in hand with these communities and its partners, Dahari is helping to build a sustainable, replicable model tailored to local realities.
