In March Jongowe village added a new twist to the practice of reef closures for octopus.  

Day 1 of opening only allowed WOMEN TO FISH!!!  

Women traditionally fish on foot on the reef flats; young men swim in the deeper nearshore waters and skin dive to fish for octopus.  By allowing women to access the closed area first, they stand to benefit first from the replenished octopus population – this brings benefits immediately to the household.  

Men are allowed on Day 2 and can fish in the deeper water.  On Day 1 there were 84 women fishing in Jongowe – they landed 109 kg of octopus representing $284.  We hope that other communities might follow suit.