• Marine

Our actions to protect the marine wealth of the Comoros

By 2027, Dahari's objective is to support fishermen's associations to set up a community marine management model on 950 hectares of reefs along the southwest coast of Anjouanand of create the conditions to extend this model to the other islands of the archipelago.

The Comoros are located at the heart of the second richest marine biodiversity zone in the world. This marine wealth faces pressing challenges: climate change, overfishing, and the degradation of reefs, particularly due to pollution and destructive fishing techniques.

The Comoros are therefore among the ten most vulnerable countries with regard to the degradation of coral reefs, putting at risk the food security of the communities that depend on the reefs.

The Dahari Marine Program, initiated in 2015 with the support of Blue Ventures, adopts participatory community management of marine resources along the southwest coast of Anjouan.

Dahari proposed initiatives to communities such as the temporary closure of octopus fishing, which motivates fishermen to engage in long-term conservation. This collaborative work resulted in six temporary closures and the creation of the first permanent reserve (where fishing is prohibited) set up by local communities in the Comoros.

With support of: 

Marine program partners

Our key results in 2024

1 ha

of reefs covered by management measures (temporary closures, permanent reserve, and restrictions on fishing methods)

1

Temporary closures of octopus fishing with increased catches when it reopens

The first permanent reserve
in the Comoros set up by local communities (10 ha area)

1

fishermen, members of associations involved in management (69% women)

1
trainings in association management, leadership, and sustainable fishing techniques
1
fishers involved in economic initiatives (agriculture, fish and octopus drying and smoking)

Our support for fishermen's associations for collective management of marine resources

infographic-marin-dahari

1

Marine resources are common and fishing rights are held and negotiated collectively, requiring collective management. Dahari supports fishermen's associations to implement resource management, in collaboration with local authorities and more broadly with communities.

creation associations

2

Communities that use coral reefs are involved in awareness-raising activities about marine ecosystems, the impacts of destructive practices as well as different marine management measures and their benefits. Participatory monitoring of fishing catches and reefs involves fishermen in the assessment of marine resources. Regular feedback is organized in the villages to present monitoring results and discuss management. This approach aims to strengthen support for marine management, promote sustainable fishing techniques and encourage more people to become members of fishing associations.

theatre2

3

We work closely with fishermen's associations to develop their capacities to become effective change agents and leaders in marine community management. Training, exchange visits and ongoing support are organized to strengthen the management, leadership and governance of associations while supporting the development and implementation of marine management. For example, Dahari organizes literacy classes and communication techniques through theater, and develops simple tools for financial monitoring and monitoring of management measures.
training4
training3
training2

4

In order to better engage associations in collective management, we are developing initiatives that increase revenue. For example, Dahari contributes to improving the value derived from catches through support for processing and marketing seafood products. We also support the establishment of Fish Concentrator Devices, which increase the productivity of pelagic fishing. The acquisition of solar freezers improves the cold chain and reduces losses. We also offer agricultural support to fishermen from associations to replace fishing income during closures.

drying
DCP

5

Management measures are implemented in collaboration with associations and local authorities, through numerous discussion and restitution workshops with the communities. The temporary closure of octopus fishing brings short-term benefits to fishermen which encourages better engagement in marine management, including from the wider community, and the strengthening of the capacities of associations. These foundations enable the implementation of broader, longer-term management measures, such as permanent reserves and the restriction of destructive techniques.
management measures
management measures
management measures

6

Dahari conducts studies to develop specific initiatives and monitor the impacts of our activities, particularly through perception surveys and behavior change campaigns. Two major monitoring and evaluation programs are underway: participatory monitoring of fishing catches and monitoring of reefs. Fishing monitoring technicians are recruited from among fishermen in the intervention communities, to reinforce adherence to management principles. Continuous monitoring of fishing and bi-annual ecological monitoring of reefs make it possible to assess the state of marine ecosystems, as well as the effectiveness of management measures. We also strengthen the capacities of associations for understanding, communicating and using monitoring data, to ensure adaptive management.
Exemplary
Exemplary
Exemplary
Exemplary
  • Our marine program intervention zone
to know more
We conducted a basic diagnosis in 2018 in the southwest of Anjouan to inform the implementation of community initiatives.
We published a reef monitoring report, from 2017 to 2021 in southwest Anjouan, evaluating the impact of local conservation initiatives. 
Find out how to use the Wooden harpoon can protect corals by capturing octopuses. 
Explore the results of the Third initiative for temporary closure of fishing, set up in collaboration with local fishing associations.