(Mombasa, Kenya – June 15) — Ahead of the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya June 16-18, Dr. Atanasio Brito, Vice President of Rare Mozambique, released the following statement:
“The ocean is vast, but the solutions to its greatest challenges lie closest to shore, in the hands of small-scale fishing communities. When governments empower those communities with rights, governance, and local leadership, people and nature thrive. I see this on the ground in Mozambique, where the government has empowered coastal communities to sustainably manage their waters, which leads to replenished fish populations, higher incomes, and greater food security. Even as they face cyclones, declining catches, and a changing climate, these communities can thrive with the right legal and financial support in place. When fishers lead, fisheries recover.
“Coastal waters also play an important role in global efforts to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. Ensuring that coastal communities who know these waters best are closely involved in establishing nearshore protected areas is key to their success. With roughly 600 million people worldwide dependent on small-scale fisheries for food and income, the Our Ocean Conference cannot overlook the outsized role small-scale fishers play in protecting people and the ocean.”
Learn more about Rare’s engagement at the Our Ocean Conference here.