February 2021
The last year has tested the resilience of our teams like never before, all the while creating new opportunities for transformative change in marine conservation.
As we look forward to this year’s global conversations around the climate and ecological emergencies, we see new opportunities providing optimism for our oceans. COP26 and CBD15 will set the policy agenda for ocean conservation for the coming decade. We’ll be doing all we can to make sure the perspectives and interests of the largest group of ocean users − the unsung heroes of marine conservation – are prioritised. As the world reflected on tackling social injustice over the weekend, an issue inextricably linked to COVID-19 and climate breakdown, we urge others to put those hit worst first.
Often marginalised from decision making, traditional fishers are seldom able to shape regulations governing the oceans they depend on. In this pivotal year for our planet, we are more committed than ever to celebrating the ability of small-scale fishers to reshape humanity’s relationship with our oceans.
Explore this new edition of Hooked for updates on our community-led conservation mission.
Bringing together leaders working on the frontlines of marine conservation across six countries in East Africa and the western Indian Ocean, the African Marine Conservation Leadership Programme is nearing the end of the first year of support for its inaugural cohort.
The brilliant conservation leaders participating in this first year − from 17 organisations − represent some of the continent’s most dynamic and impactful marine conservation organisations. Despite the challenges of adapting the programme to an online format, the leaders have formed a flourishing network, providing a safe space to share their experiences and draw from each other’s strengths.
In just three months, the coastal community of Beto Tasi has established an ambitious new community-led homestay group – and with it 10 new homestay entrepreneurs. Following a series of community consultations with Blue Ventures’ team in Timor-Leste, the Beto Tasi homestay owners joined the Atauro Homestay Association to learn about what makes a successful homestay and how protecting their local marine ecosystems can attract tourism, helping strengthen community resilience.
Meet Forum Kahedupa Toudani (FORKANI), a community-based organisation based on Kaledupa Island in Southeast Sulawesi. FORKANI builds the capacity of community groups, empowering small-scale fishing communities to sustainably manage their natural marine resources. This dynamic local organisation supported fishing communities to pilot Indonesia’s first temporary octopus fishery closure in 2018, and has since gone on to support communities to replicate the model elsewhere in the Wakatobi archipelago.
FORKANI recently took part in a learning exchange with fellow Indonesian community conservation organisation, Japesda. Two communities shared their experiences of the benefits of temporary fishery closures as a catalyst for building community engagement in marine conservation. Blue Ventures, in partnership with Yayasan Pesisir Lestari, has been working closely with FORKANI and Japesda as part of a growing network of local organisations supporting community conservation efforts across Indonesia.
Meet Lalao Aigrette, Blue Ventures’ technical advisor for mangrove conservation in Madagascar. Her work involves promoting, supporting and strengthening community-led mangrove conservation to safeguard these blue forests and the livelihoods they support.
Lalao’s contributions to conservation efforts, including her involvement in the implementation of Tahiry Honko, have recently been recognised as she joins the first Women for the Environment – Africa (WE Africa) 2021 leadership cohort, an initiative which celebrates women at the heart of the African environmental movement.
Explore the previous edition of Hooked and in case you missed it, our 2020 Year in Review.
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