Community Co-management of Mohzli Marine Park, Comoros
Case Study C0019
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| Date | 2002 |
| Agency | Comoros Government, IUCN, UNDP, UNEP, GEF |
| Donor/support agency | IUCN UNDP UNEP GEF |
| Project type | Self implemented |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Comoros |
| Locality | Not known |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/Landscape |
| Development focus | Ten villages participating in marine Protected Area |
| Conservation goals | Conservation of the biodiversity of the marine protected area |
| Poverty reduction goals | Improving the livelihoods of local people |
Summary
Moheli is the smallest of Comorian islands that abounds in fauna and flora with more than 500 species of plants, 21 species of birds, 9 species of reptiles, endangered long-nosed dolphin, livingstone fruit bat and other endemic species of giant fruit bat. Simultaneously, it is one of the poorest countries where 80% of the labour force is employed in agriculture, including fishing, hunting and forestry. In the last twenty years, increase in population, unemployment and poverty have led to deforestation, soil erosion, coral reef destruction and over exploitation of fish and other marine resources. In 1995, concerned with the degradation of the ecosystem and fast depletion of their resources, ten villages approached the government to have their offshore waters designated as Marine Park. In 2001, 404 square km of the southern zone of Moheli, which included rocky areas, offshore islands, coral reefs and scattered mangrove strands. Through extensive consultations with villagers, fishermen, community groups and resource users, agreements were signed between the government and each of the villages that lie within the protected zone. Rights, responsibilities and regulations were clearly defined. A park management committee was established with representation from all villages and government to manage the activities and finances of the park. Local people were trained and employed as 'ecoguards' for awareness raising and monitoring. The park was divided into a multiple zone use system, and unsustainable harvesting practices, like the use of dynamite and poisons were banned. Sustainable harvesting practices have led to an increase in fish catch from 160 kg/month to over 300 kg/month. Revenues for 250 fishermen working in the park have doubled. Simultaneously, ecotourism was promoted to create alternative livelihood opportunities for local people. An ecotourism lodge was put in place along with other tourism facilitation measures. It led an increase in number of tourists from 75 tourists per village per year in 1998 to 140 in 2001, and it is expected to rise to 200 soon. Other business activities like handicrafts and tourist guide service have grown up. In total 30 new jobs have been created. Biodiversity of the marine park has also significantly improved over the years. There has been a 35%increase in the number of recorded alive coral reefs. Turtles are now frequenting 25 additional beaches. Starfish and crustaceons are now bountiful. Rare coelacanths have also been found in the vicinity of Comoros island.
Conservation impact
There has been a 35%increase in the number of recorded alive coral reefs. Turtles are now frequenting 25 additional beaches. Starfish and crustaceons are now bountiful. Rare coelacanths have also been found in the vicinity of Comoros island.
Poverty reduction impact
Sustainable harvesting practices have led to an increase in fish catch from 160 kg/month to over 300 kg/month. Revenues for 250 fishermen working in the park have doubled. Ecotourism related activities have created 30 new jobs.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Local conservation enterprise opportunities
Local employment/job creation
Devolution or reinstatement of local rights over/access to resources
Reference 1
http://www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/secondary/equator_prize2002.htm#comoros
Reference 2
http://www.tve.org/ho/doc.cfm?aid=1324
More information
Not available
Related records above this one:
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Organisation O0146)
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (Organisation O0137)
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) (Organisation O0046)