Aquaculture and sustainable fishing in Mozambique

While Jangamo Bay is home to a host of marine life, it has never been studied in depth over a prolonged period. There is limited management of damaging practices and fishing in the area, and there are few opportunities for women.

Blue Marine supports Love The Oceans (LTO) to monitor meso- and apex predators to better understand the productivity and resilience of the marine ecosystem. Data from this first long-term underwater video study of Jangamo Bay will inform legislative change and the potential designation of a marine protected area (MPA). Blue Marine provides technical expertise for LTO’s work on aquaculture. We also support LTOs work with local communities to eliminate net fishing in the proposed MPA by providing fishers with kayaks, equipment and the knowledge they need to move away from damaging techniques.

With no women involved in the marine space in Jangamo – be it fishing, ecotourism or swimming – we are addressing gender equity through aquaculture. LTO’s Gender Equity project aims to empower women economically by establishing a series of female-led micro-businesses, including a scheme to grow mussels that will increase food security and provide extra income.

Blue Marine is working with LTO towards a more sustainable future for Jangamo Bay in the south of Mozambique, home to many species of sharks, rays and humpback whales. Initiatives include a female-led aquaculture project, a programme to eliminate net fishing in favour of rod-and-line, and monitoring apex predators to drive change in legislation and increase protection. 

Photos by: Nessim Stevenson, Kogia and iStock