LEAP - Locally Empowered Areas of Protection in the Western Indian Ocean

The Western Indian Ocean region lacks coherent governance systems to support a diverse management of marine and coastal resources. As a result, local level benefits are less effective, as users rarely play an equitable role in decision-making on the management of the resources. The project builds on existing experiences and knowledge to enhance socio-ecological resilience and biodiversity conservation by strengthening governance and management of marine and coastal areas and resources. It will engage at multiple levels to deliver tangible benefits through direct action at local level, strengthen the enabling institutional environment through policy influencing, advocacy, and capacity building at national levels, and promote regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing, enhancing uptake across countries. Science and community-based programmes, combined with knowledge transfer, will contribute to achieve community and territorial climate resilience and sustainable, inclusive and alternative livelihoods.

Project data

Countries
Kenya, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania
IKI funding
5,623,975.00 €
Duration
04/2019 till 12/2024
Status
open
Implementing organisation
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) - Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office
Political Partner
  • Institute for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture (IDEPA) Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters, and Fisheries
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) - Seychelles
  • Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife - Kenya
  • Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries, Fisheries - Tanzania
  • State House, Office of the Vice President - Department of The Blue Economy
Implementing Partner
  • Aga Khan Foundation Mozambique
  • Associação do Meio Ambiente (AMA)
  • CORDIO East Africa
  • Nature Seychelles

State of implementation/results

    The LEAP project contributes to the Climate Commitments (NDCs) of all four countries, which provide for the establishment and sustainable management of coastal and marine protected areas.

    Mozambique
    • Locally Managed Marina Areas (LMMAs)
      • In Metuge District, a cordial working relationship with Government (local and provincial) authorities continues. Community Fisheries Councils (CCPs) of Ntessa-Gimpia and Bandar invited local government representatives to oversee the opening of the temporary closure where they urged fishermen to respect closure seasons. The opening ceremony in Ntessa-Gimpia was led by a government officer who used the evidence of the quantity and quality of the harvested fish to encourage fishermen to comply with closure regulations. Fish harvested were reported to be of higher quality compared to what was harvested before the closure period.
      • Project representatives participated in a fisheries sector coordination meeting in Nampula Province focusing on the sustainable exploitation of marine and coastal resources and coordination of interventions.
      • Two community fisheries managers from Mecufi district and two local project representatives participated in an experience-sharing exchange visit at the Inhambane Seascape.
      • In Mecufi District, the project strengthens capacity of the six LMMAs (Natuco, Muinde, Ngoma, Maueia, Murrebue, and Muitua) and implementation of their management plans. The management plans were approved at provincial level.
      • All LMMA groups are creating Communication Plans to promote awareness of restrictions, aimed at community members engaged in fisheries in the region. To date, the majority of the community members complies with fisheries restrictions in the LMMA reserves.
      • Monitoring of activity progress is supported across the LMMA areas to evaluate management measures, review compliance, and validate results of community reserves at biological and economic levels.
      • Biological resources have improved with the project’s efforts. Larger fish sizes and abundance have improved fishermen's daily incomes, allowing them to invest in non-fisheries economic goods, such as motorbikes, solar panels, and telephones. Iconic protected species such as turtles, sharks and manta rays have been observed more frequently in the reserve areas. Efforts to restore seagrass and coral reef in degraded areas have contributed to increases in fish and octopus catches.
    • Mangrove restoration efforts are advancing.
      • Metuge restoration sites hosted community groups from Ilha de Moçambique, supported by the Aga Khan Foundation’s “Mel do Mar” project, which has replanted 51.9 ha with 130,000 mangroves.
      • The four LMMAs continue to monitor survival rates of replanted mangroves in 7.09 ha, and to care for the fruit trees that were replanted as a compensation for their conservation efforts in 26.9 ha. Community members replanted gaps where mangrove seedlings had not survived.
    • Blue Economy
      • A second bootcamp training for the seven initiatives (horticulture, ceramics, offshore fishing, agriculture, honey production, aquaculture, and eco-tourism) selected for the Blue Economy Incubation programme took place.
      • All seven community groups are now duly registered and can officially benefit from the programme.
    • Livelihood activities
      • In Metuge, a total of eight different income-generating activities have been introduced: bee-keeping, horticulture, greenhouse management and composting, mollusc harvesting and processing, crab fattening, fish farming, production of wood-saving stoves and other pottery products and biodegradable basket production. These initiatives are implemented by 12 different groups in Mieze, Bandar, Ntessa and Namau community. Almost half of the beneficiaries are women.
    Kenya and Tanzania
    • Community Coral Reef Monitoring: The project assessed the reliability of community coral reef data to inform conservation efforts by comparing it to data collected by scientists. Five Beach Management Units involved in community coral reef monitoring participated in a workshop on monitoring tools and results, aimed at improving data reliability and reporting results.
    • Scientific Coral Reef Surveys: Following recommendations, the national coral reef assessment analysis in Kenya is being revised. In Tanzania, the project’s national assessment analysis has progressed in collaboration with Tanzanian partners and is nearing completion.
    • Enforcement and Compliance: A policy brief on key drivers undermining enforcement and compliance, summarizing recommendations collected in a regional workshop, has been drafted and is being reviewed.
    Seychelles
    • The project launched the LEAP Junior School Activity Centre in Port Glaud Primary School, and another in Anse Boileau Secondary School's Centre. These centres aim to nurture the next generation of ocean conservationists. H.E Justin Valentin, Minister for Education, graced the launch, accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Education, parents, students, and other invited guests.

Latest Update:
11/2024

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