Rare expands its international fisheries footprint with Mozambique launch

Source: PR Web

During the course of the week 8 to 15 April 2016, the international conservation organisation Rare, added Mozambique to its list of partnering countries participating in its Fish Forever programme, an initiative for small-scale fisheries management worldwide. This launch aims to move the country toward sustainable fishing practices that both preserve the country’s incredible ecosystem biodiversity, and allow for more sustainable fisheries.

In partnership with the Nordic Development Fund, the World Bank, the National Institute for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture (IDEPA), and Mozambique’s Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, the launch of Rare’s Fish Forever programme in Mozambique signifies its fifth country globally and first African nation to partner on transforming both the local and national approach to small-scale fisheries management.

“Our direct partnership with IDEPA and the Ministry of Fisheries reflects our shared commitment to empower and equip local communities with the necessary tools to manage their fisheries more sustainably”, said Patrick Mehlman, Rare’s vice president of Mozambique Programmes, noting that this tandem effort will “further strengthen the framework for success” in future efforts to establish a national model for fisheries management along the country’s vibrant coast.

The launch of this partnership also addresses formidable global concerns around food security, livelihood sustainability and climate change mitigation. For many in Mozambique, fishing serves as an essential source of food and income. Nearly half a million people nationwide rely on small-scale fishing for employment, and small-scale fishers account for more than 85% of the country’s annual catch.

Like many other countries in the developing tropics, Mozambique’s reliance on small scale fishing is threatened by overfishing, which is in turn depleting fishers’ food security, income and way of life. Rare’s Fish Forever approach and partnership with IDEPA will work to turn the tide by establishing long-lasting solutions deeply embedded in government policy and community practice.

Since its inception, Rare’s Fish Forever programme has been implemented in Belize, Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines, addressing key environmental and social challenges faced by communities. Rare’s proven success in Belize is just one example of how pre-existing government partnerships can provide a successful and rapid transition to complete in-country ownership. With IDEPA staff playing a critical role in bringing the programme to scale, there exists an even greater potential to create long-lasting change in fisheries management that allows both people and nature to thrive.

“Working in close partnership with the Mozambique government, we are proud to expand Fish Forever into Africa”, said Brett Jenks, CEO of Rare. “These changes in fisheries management will ultimately address poverty, food security and development, while providing resilience against climate change for Mozambique’s small scale fishers”.

Working with the Mozambican government, and the IDEPA, Fish Forever will work with community fishing councils to empower local people to better manage their fisheries. Narci de Premegi, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, welcomed campaign manager candidates, touting them as “the best of the best, and first to benefit from this innovative approach to coastal fishing communities”.

IDEPA staff will participate in a two-year long training programme, ultimately providing them the tools to train and empower local fishing communities to sustainably manage their fisheries.