French 
English 
2023-06-12 15:58:48
Context The Northern Mozambique Channel (NMC) falls under the jurisdiction of Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, France, Seychelles, and Comoros, covering an area of approximately 700,000 km2. It is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, serving as a biological reservoir for the entire East African coast, especially for coral reefs and associated ecosystems, and constitutes an important breeding and feeding area for flagship marine and migratory species. The coastal population in this region is currently 10 million inhabitants (expected to rise to 22-25 million by 2050) and relies heavily on healthy and productive ecosystems for fishing, coastal agriculture, and tourism. The annual economic production of living resources and ecosystem services in the NMC has been estimated at US $20.8 billion. However, critical ecosystems in the region are declining due to the combined impacts of local use and global threats, including increasing pressures from coastal infrastructure development, extractive industries (especially recently discovered natural gas and oil), population growth, and climate change. Project Vision, Objectives, and Approach In this context, the project will address development scenarios to maximize sustainable development opportunities in the region, based on preserving the health of marine ecosystems as the foundation for future prosperity. In this regard, the project uses a holistic approach to integrated ocean management and will assist countries in achieving sustainable development goals, especially Goal 14 on oceans. By 2030, the coral reefs and associated ecosystems of the northern Mozambique Channel, of great biodiversity value, will be maintained and enhanced through effective spatial management of marine uses, particularly the oil and gas sector, to ensure a sustainable future for coastal communities and economies. The specific objective of our intervention is to gradually ensure that the livelihoods and well-being of communities are guaranteed through the sharing and replication of best practices in community-based marine resource management by 2025. Building on the foundations of strong regional cooperation and partnerships, the region is well-positioned to implement the aspirations and commitments made under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular relevance to SDG 14 on oceans. In this regard, the project includes three components, specifically focusing on Component 3, which aims to strengthen the resilience of local communities in 4 "marine landscapes," especially regarding current and potential pressures related to the development of oil and gas fields. Component 3 will support the creation of a "learning network" allowing communities to share and implement activities related to community-based marine resource management (CBMRM) in identified landscapes. This component will identify successful experiences and practices in marine landscapes to transfer to other communities through the learning network. The project will support the activities of "learning networks" by providing technical support and, where possible, financial support through micro-credits (small grants or accelerators). Main Activities The main tasks planned for the accomplishment of this mission are: Analysis of relevant documentation Drafting the methodological note including criteria for selecting good practices Development of a tool for capitalizing on good practices Conducting interviews with key informants and field surveys Analysis and selection of collected data and information Drafting capitalization sheets Writing semi-annual reports on the progress of activities Organizing island and national consultation and report restitution meetings Organizing exchange visits Replication of the report and dissemination to target stakeholders Development and management of the online platform Evaluation and consolidation