The Comoros Islands are home to exceptional marine biodiversity, essential to the lives of coastal communities. But overfishing, pollution, and climate change threaten coral reefs and the food security of those who depend on them. With our Marine programWe are aiming to establish a network of permanent community no-take zones (where fishing is prohibited), based on the success of the first example for the country created by the Malezi Mema fishermen's association of Dzindri, Salamani and Vassy in 2021. Following the positive impacts, this reserve was expanded by the fishermen in 2025, and three new ones were created at the beginning of 2026.
From 8 to 20 hectares, the Vassy permanent no-take zones has taken a major step forward
From the outset, it was the fishermen of Vassy themselves who proposed closing the area, aware of the dwindling resources and the degradation of the reef. Together, they defined the management rules, ensured the monitoring of the reserve, and raised awareness among young people about the importance of preserving it. The results were immediate. In 2023, Ansoiya Mohamed, president of Malezi Mema, testified: “Since we established the permanent reserve, fish species that had disappeared are starting to return. Fish like the triple-tailed wrasse ("kafwadji") They have now returned and the fishermen are catching them.
These encouraging signs convinced the community to expand the protected area, increasing from 8 to 20 hectares by the end of 2025 – more than doubling its size. At the same time, governance was strengthened: a joint committee of fishermen and women now manages the area directly, supported by an inter-village commission involving local authorities. This participatory model reinforces the sense of collective ownership – key to the initiative's sustainability. Vassy's experience has inspired other villages – notably Kowe, Maweni, and Moya.
Kowé, Maweni and Moya in turn commit themselves
Since 2021, our team has been supporting the fishermen of these three villages in their discussions on sustainable marine management. Exchanges with Vassy, as well as an exchange visit to Kenya, have greatly inspired them.
Ms. Chaanbati Ousseni, President of the Maweni fishermen's association, testifies: “Thanks to Dahari, I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya where I saw how local communities care for their sea. This method is truly effective: it increases the quantity of fish, brings back certain species that had disappeared, and even attracts new species. I understood that this is a real opportunity for us, and that we really need to support this initiative.”
Based on local knowledge of fishermen and underwater assessments, potential areas for reserves, rich in biodiversity but acceptable for communities that depend on fishing on a daily basis, have been identified.
The governance system was then co-constructed during eleven workshops and eighteen community feedback sessions, to ensure maximum buy-in and a locally rooted model.
A key challenge: including all fishermen, including the most marginalized
Establishing the reserves was not without its challenges. One of the major difficulties was bringing net fishers to the table—historically marginalized and rarely included in collective discussions. Yet, for a reserve to function, management must be collective and inclusive. The Dahari team worked patiently to build relationships and establish trust. Little by little, these fishers joined the process and are now integral members of the management committees. This change extends beyond marine conservation. A pirogue fisherman from Moya sums it up: "Before, I never interacted with the net fishermen. Now, we talk often."
A co-constructed governance, validated by the authorities
Finally, following numerous discussions, local and regional authorities officially approved the three new permanent no-take zones in the presence of the fishermen. This means 85 new hectares of reefs will be able to regenerate and benefit communities in the future.
Mohamed Chadhouli, Secretary General of the Moya fishing cooperative, testifies: “We were eagerly awaiting this meeting which brought together local and regional authorities. We saw in Vassy that fishermen now spend less time at sea, thanks to their reserve which has been in place for a long time. These are the results we also want to achieve.”
Affane Amine, Regional Director of Fisheries in Anjouan, adds: “I am pleased with the participatory approach taken at the community level to make such decisions; this is what will lead the initiative to success.”
The official establishment of the new reserves was finally celebrated in February 2026 with four festive ceremonies that brought together fishermen, communities, and authorities, featuring theatrical sketches to raise awareness and celebrate this collective achievement. Fishermen from neighboring villages were also invited to ensure widespread awareness about the reserves.
And the rest?
The Dahari team is proud to support these communities in monitoring and strengthening the management of the reserves, which now cover 105 hectares of reefs. Annual forums are planned to foster exchanges – the first was held in 2025 with great success, and other communities from Anjouan and neighboring islands will be invited in 2026. This model, driven by the fishermen themselves, is key to the sustainable restoration of coral reefs in the Comoros.
With the financial support of: CEPF, TUSK, McPike-Zima, and Blue Ventures !
