20/04/2018

We have been working with Indian Ocean Commission and Fundo Island communities in northwest Pemba, Zanzibar to conserve biodiversity by implementing a sustainable fisheries management plan. So far, Fundo communities have carried out two closures of three months each. These closures mean the area is closed to all fishing activities during the closure period, giving fisheries some respite to grow and reproduce.

Monday was the first day of opening following three months closure in Ndooni village. Despite heavy rains and winds making conditions challenging fishers caught 361kg octopus! Similarly, in December 2017 on the first day of opening after 3 months closure Ndooni village fishers caught 400kg octopus! Before starting their first closure, fishers in Ndooni village caught 10-20kg octopus daily.  That’s 2000-4000% increase!!

Octopus are an important income for coastal communities in Zanzibar. Through our management planning we work to ensure fishers and the community gain as much value as possible for their hard work. In Fundo the village fisher committee arrange for buyers to be present at the opening with pre-arranged prices. The buyers pay a fee per kilo towards the Village Fisher Committee fund which is divided between community needs (school equipment, care for orphans) and implementing the management plan (patrolling costs).