Artisanal landings are, on average,
responsible for almost 90% of the total national fisheries production of
Mozambique. 60% of this take is maritime, taking place along its 2700
Km long coastline.
This sector has a high social importance
since it is the main source of food and employment for the coastal
communities, which represent more than two-thirds of the population of
Mozambique. According to the last census of artisanal fisheries
conducted in 2012, there were about 343,000 fishermen and other
professionals involved in this sector, of which 18% were women, all
depending directly or indirectly on activities related to fishing. Fish
makes up 50% of the population’s protein consumption in Mozambique.
At present, almost all fisheries are
overexploited and facing crisis due to a declining production and
increasing operating costs. Fisheries may be further at risk due to the
impacts of climate change on the marine species and environment.
Despite the paramount social and
ecological importance of this sector, it is also widely recognized that
it is poorly monitored, data is insufficient or lacking, and fisheries
laws are missing or poorly enforced with damaging and unsustainable
practices on catch sizes, fishing methods, species, no take periods,
etc…). Also, critical coastal and marine habitats may be at risk due to
poor fishing techniques, destructive gear and other exploitation
activities (mangrove wood harvesting, algae harvesting), urban
development, industry, tourism, oil & gas extraction, leading to
further degradations.
This analysis is partially based on the
findings and recommendations of the report entitled “Mozambique Marine
Ecosystems review” by Pereira et al. (Dec. 2014), available on our website. Applicants are invited to read the main relevant sections of this report.
Fondation Ensemble wishes to work with
and support organizations who, based on field work and experience, are
addressing or aim to address similar challenges.
Priority objectives of the Special call for Proposal :
The project will aim to improve the sustainability of the artisanal fisheries by :
- Improving for the long term fisheries data collection on a wide scale (for instance at protected area and/or provincial level);
- Reducing damaging and unsustainable fishing practices and improving fisheries management and enforcement around fishing methods, protected species, temporal and spatial closures such as sanctuaries, etc.;
- Advocating in a participatory manner (with other stakeholders such as NGO’s, academia and fishermen representatives,…), at provincial and national level, to improve the legal framework and it’s implementation;
- Increasing and diversifying income of coastal communities, in particular fishermen families, by promoting sustainable income generating activities (IGR), related to fishing, or not. Ideally, these IGR will contribute to build local buy-in to marine conservation.
The project will address these challenges by :
- Having a Community based approach by working with the fishermen and involved women through their Community Based Organizations (CBO’s), such as CPP’s (Conselho Comunitário de Pesca), and building the capacity of such organizations;
- Working in close cooperation with ministerial, provincial and local fisheries authorities;
- Raising awareness and/or training of the relevant stakeholders in particular the fishermen, value chain stakeholders, coastal communities, CPP’s and other CBO’s, local and provincial authorities, business operators, etc…
- Liaising and coordinating with NGO’s, universities, research institutes and other stakeholders involved in marine conservation and fisheries in Mozambique.
Call for Proposal criteria :
The geographical area covered may vary from a local (district) level to provincial level. It may be a protected area, or not.
The project will be seen as a pilot, but
replicability and scaling up potential must be a priority, and built in
within the approach from the beginning. Results and findings of this
pilot phase will be decisive in refining the Foundation’s strategy and
investments in this area.
All Fondation Ensemble’s general project selection criteria and process will apply to this call for proposal (see our website). However, if need be, there is more flexibility around :
- Co-funding ratio : If need be, Fondation Ensemble may fund up to 60% of the total budget (rather than the usual 50%). However, if possible, it is preferable not to exceed the 50% usual limit;
- Maximum contribution : Fondation Ensemble may contribute between 100,000 € and 200,000 €, for a 2 to 3 years project (rather than the usual 50,000 €/year for 2 to 3 years).
Moreinfo: http://www.fondationensemble.org/en/submit-proposal
