Fishers Create Thriving Marine Sanctuary in Comoros
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📰 The quick summary: A small 10-hectare no-fishing zone in Comoros shows signs of improving fish populations nearby, inspiring plans to create more marine protected areas across the archipelago.
📈 One key stat: The single no-take zone will be expanded from 10 to 30 hectares as part of a plan to protect 425 hectares of coral reefs, representing about 10% of Anjouan island’s total reef area.
💬 One key quote: “Even a few meters from the NTZ, Malezi Mema fishers are finding fish species and sea turtles they hadn’t seen for some years,” said Ansoya Ahmed, president of the fishers’ association.
1️⃣ The big picture: Fishers in Comoros established their first no-take zone inside a marine protected area in 2021, creating a small sanctuary where fishing is completely banned. This 10-hectare area off the island of Anjouan has already shown encouraging signs of improvement, with local fishers reporting increased fish populations even outside the protected zone’s boundaries. The success has attracted interest from nearby communities who now want to create their own reserves. This fisher-led approach represents a shift away from previous conservation strategies that failed to deliver expected benefits, addressing both ecological needs and the vital importance of fisheries to local communities.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: The protected area is helping restore marine biodiversity, with fishers noticing the return of fish species and sea turtles they hadn’t seen in years. Local fishing communities now find fish closer to shore, reducing their need to venture far out to sea and saving on fuel costs while improving safety. The initiative empowers local fishers to take leadership roles in conservation, with nearly 60 fishers from three villages supporting the protected area. The community-based approach has already generated interest from other towns, demonstrating how successful conservation models can spread organically when they deliver tangible benefits.
3️⃣ What’s next: Plans are underway to triple the size of the current no-take zone to 30 hectares. The nonprofit Dahari aims to establish at least five no-take zones in Anjouan by 2026, covering 425 hectares of coral reefs. After 2027, they hope to expand this approach nationwide to help Comoros meet its goal of protecting 30% of its ocean by 2030.
Read the full story here: Mongabay – Encouraging signs from a no-fishing zone in Comoros could inspire others
