French 
English 
2023-06-12 16:08:07
1. Context
Coral reefs are ecosystems of considerable ecological and socio-economic value. However, they have been subject to multiple degradations due to anthropogenic pressures and intense climate vulnerabilities over the past three decades. In response to this widespread degradation issue, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) have committed to seeking solutions.
It is within this framework that the Southwest Indian Ocean Reef Network was established in October 1997, during the international seminar Man-Reef organized by UNESCO, ICRI, and the Indian Ocean Commission (COI) in Nossy Be, Madagascar.
In the Comoros, the relevant stakeholders signed a charter to structure the national reef network, with the Intervention Association for Development and Environment (AIDE) coordinating. About ten reef sites have thus benefited from annual monitoring of their health status. Similarly, the National Network of Protected Areas has initiated various conservation actions for the archipelago's reef zones.
However, Cyclone Kenneth, which struck the Union of the Comoros in April, particularly the island of Grande Comore, has significantly worsened the situation of these reefs, necessitating urgent interventions.
Thus, the NGO AIDE requested and obtained a grant from the TANY MEVA-MADAGASCAR foundation, selected to manage small grants from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) in the Indian Ocean region.
The CEPF is a joint fund of the French Development Agency, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, and the World Bank. The total project budget is 8,080,000 Comorian francs over a period of 18 months (July 2019 to January 2021).
2. Objectives and Expected Results
The objective of this grant is to contribute to the sustainable management of coral reefs in Grande Comore. The specific objectives are to:
1) Strengthen the capacities of local stakeholders on the ecological importance and ecosystem services of coral reefs.
2) Establish a participatory monitoring and co-management system of reef resources with local communities.
Three (3) results are expected:
a. Local stakeholders are sensitized and trained on the ecological and socio-economic values of coral reefs.
b. A participatory monitoring system is established.
c. A co-management agreement for reef resources by pilot sites is established.
3. Planned Activities
The planned activities for this project include:
1) Organization of information meetings with fishing communities and local authorities.
2) Organization of information meetings in public places.
3) Organization of radio and TV broadcasts.
4) Publication of posters on reefs.
5) Organization of snorkeling and ecological monitoring training sessions.
6) Organization of socio-economic monitoring training sessions.
7) Conducting benthic transects and fish counts on reefs at the 5 pilot sites.
8) Establishment of a reef monitoring database.
9) Development of co-management agreements in the 5 pilot sites.