Bottom up learning.

One of our village data recorders, Mohamed Abeid Ame from Kiwengwa, teaches fisheries officials how to sex an octopus at the Department of Fisheries Development (DFD), Unguja, Zanzibar.

34 Mwambao data recorders and officers and committee members presented the data they have collected over three and a half years to the Department of Fisheries in December 2018. The 10 villages of Jongowe, Kiwengwa, Mtende and Kizimkazi Mkunguni on Unguja, Zanzibar and Kukuu, Kisiwa Panza and Fundo villages on Pemba, Zanzibar presented their results.

The data represents more than the hard work of our data team. It is the culmination of hard work and commitment from communities to change their use of resources and overcome challenges associated with this. It was an important occasion to allow the DFD to clarify some important questions, explain the challenges that villages have faced with their closures and the steps that have been taken in each of the villages. But also, to illustrate the very real need for collaboration between the recording team and the SFC, as well as village government and DFD.

“Mwambao, don’t become tired in carrying out your important work! Holding meetings like this is very useful and we would like to hold many more. The Department is seeing the importance of co-management and we are actively using and developing the SFC standard operating procedures that Mwambao have developed.” – Jaala Simba, Head of the Marine Conservation Unit, Department of Fisheries Development.

“We thank these young people for being researchers in their areas. You must be trustworthy and help each other. Collaboration between the fisher committee and the recorders is important. There are challenges but you have shown that you are a good team.” – Mwalimu Annas, Manager of Menai Bay Conservation Area, Department of Fisheries Development

Our partners on these projects have been Blue Ventures, Fauna & Flora International and Commission de l’océan Indien – Indian Ocean Commission.