The first phase of the Omali Vida Nón project (July 2016 – March 2019) aimed to promote a better management of marine resources on the island of Principe through the participation of those who are mainly affected - fishermen and fish traders (locally known as palaiês). The second phase of the project (October 2018 – September 2023), based on previous efforts and the needs identified so far by the Omali Vida Nón project on Príncipe and Kike da Mungo on the island of São Tomé, aims to contribute to the designation of the first marine areas protected areas (MPAs) in the country.
São Tomé and Príncipe faces several challenges related to overfishing and the widespread degradation of marine habitats. Rapid population growth has increased pressure on these habitats and resources, resulting from the use of non-selective and destructive fishing techniques to maximize catch and respond to the growing demand from the national market. As a result, fishery resources have been declining over the years, which has resulted in an increasing concern from coastal communities in relation to their sources of income and food.
At the national level there is a high dependence on fisheries combined with a lack of knowledge of fisheries legislation, which has crucial implications for biodiversity conservation, food security and well-being. However, the artisanal fisheries sector is constrained by insufficient planning and scarce resources for conservation, monitoring and enforcement by local government and others.
To contribute to reducing the main threats to marine biodiversity in São Tomé and Príncipe, this project aims to facilitate joint planning of a network of new marine protected areas and sustainable use zones which involve members of fishing communities and the government across both islands, through a participatory fisheries management system. The project targets all local stakeholders, including fishers (primarily a male occupation in São Tomé and Príncipe), fish traders (mainly a female occupation) and regional and national governments.
The project's theory of change states that if community members and government plan marine protected areas and sustainable use zones together; if the fishing communities themselves co-manage and supervise these areas; if the existing livelihoods of local families are more sustainable and the sources of income more diverse, and if there is greater government capacity for decision-making, policy development and law enforcement, we will contribute to reducing the main threats to marine biodiversity and protect the species and habitats around São Tomé and Príncipe.
São Tomé and Príncipe faces several challenges related to overfishing and the widespread degradation of marine habitats. Rapid population growth has increased pressure on these habitats and resources, resulting from the use of non-selective and destructive fishing techniques to maximize catch and respond to the growing demand from the national market. As a result, fishery resources have been declining over the years, which has resulted in an increasing concern from coastal communities in relation to their sources of income and food.
At the national level there is a high dependence on fisheries combined with a lack of knowledge of fisheries legislation, which has crucial implications for biodiversity conservation, food security and well-being. However, the artisanal fisheries sector is constrained by insufficient planning and scarce resources for conservation, monitoring and enforcement by local government and others.
To contribute to reducing the main threats to marine biodiversity in São Tomé and Príncipe, this project aims to facilitate joint planning of a network of new marine protected areas and sustainable use zones which involve members of fishing communities and the government across both islands, through a participatory fisheries management system. The project targets all local stakeholders, including fishers (primarily a male occupation in São Tomé and Príncipe), fish traders (mainly a female occupation) and regional and national governments.
The project's theory of change states that if community members and government plan marine protected areas and sustainable use zones together; if the fishing communities themselves co-manage and supervise these areas; if the existing livelihoods of local families are more sustainable and the sources of income more diverse, and if there is greater government capacity for decision-making, policy development and law enforcement, we will contribute to reducing the main threats to marine biodiversity and protect the species and habitats around São Tomé and Príncipe.
The main project activities are:
- Gathering scientific data on marine biodiversity and habitats to support the designation of MPAs (e.g. BRUVs, participatory characterization and mapping of coastal and marine habitats);
- Collecting fisheries data (effort, landings, fishing zones, gear types, etc.) using a participatory approach (hiring extension workers in fishing communities) to support the designation of MPAs;
- Conducting training sessions aimed at all relevant stakeholders on shared governance principles, MPAs concepts and their typologies;
- Using Marxan-with-Zones (spatial planning software) to identify a network of MPAs that meet conservation and sustainable fisheries goals;
- Participatory demarcation of MPAs;
- Supporting the drafting of legislation which establishes the co-managed areas and the creation of an appropriate participatory governance/supervision mechanism;
- Supporting the development of biological monitoring protocols for the network of MPAs;
- Developing an operational maritime surveillance strategy, including a community fisheries control mechanism and strengthening the specific capacities of relevant government departments;
- Assessing the feasibility of establishing long-term financing mechanisms; to support the management of MPAs beyond the durations of the project;
- Providing training in complementary livelihoods;
- Creating alternative or complementary employment opportunities (eg community-led micro-businesses);
- Analysing initiatives to reduce post-capture losses.
- Gathering scientific data on marine biodiversity and habitats to support the designation of MPAs (e.g. BRUVs, participatory characterization and mapping of coastal and marine habitats);
- Collecting fisheries data (effort, landings, fishing zones, gear types, etc.) using a participatory approach (hiring extension workers in fishing communities) to support the designation of MPAs;
- Conducting training sessions aimed at all relevant stakeholders on shared governance principles, MPAs concepts and their typologies;
- Using Marxan-with-Zones (spatial planning software) to identify a network of MPAs that meet conservation and sustainable fisheries goals;
- Participatory demarcation of MPAs;
- Supporting the drafting of legislation which establishes the co-managed areas and the creation of an appropriate participatory governance/supervision mechanism;
- Supporting the development of biological monitoring protocols for the network of MPAs;
- Developing an operational maritime surveillance strategy, including a community fisheries control mechanism and strengthening the specific capacities of relevant government departments;
- Assessing the feasibility of establishing long-term financing mechanisms; to support the management of MPAs beyond the durations of the project;
- Providing training in complementary livelihoods;
- Creating alternative or complementary employment opportunities (eg community-led micro-businesses);
- Analysing initiatives to reduce post-capture losses.