©FAO/ SWIOFC- Group photo

19 June, 2024, Nacala Porto-Nampula – On June 17 and 18, 2024, the Nacala Porto city, Nampula Province, hosted the 2nd edition of the Marine Biodiversity Conference, bringing together around 510 participants, including representatives of the Mozambican government, civil society organizations, the private sector, local communities, academia and cooperation partners.

The Conference and Exhibition on Marine Biodiversity in Mozambique is an initiative of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), in collaboration with the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MIMAIP), the Museums of the Sea, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF).

In the opening session, Cláudia Oliveira Andrade Pereira, Programme Assistant to the FAO Representative in Mozambique, highlighted the need to strengthen collective action for the conservation of marine biodiversity, and referred to the ongoing collaboration between FAO and the Government of Mozambique through the implementation of the partnership programme between the Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and the Nairobi Convention (CN), which aims to improve resilience of coastal ecosystems, food systems and livelihoods and protection of biodiversity, as well as increased participation in the management of marine fisheries and biological resources, for youth, women and men in coastal fishing communities, through the strengthening of coordination between the fisheries and environment sectors, where the Ministries of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries and Land and Environment are the implementers of the Programme.

The official opening of the 2nd Marine Biodiversity Conference was made by the Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Lídia Cardoso, emphasizing the need for clear and effective communication for the implementation of conservation and management measures and the importance of responsible fisheries for the sustainability of the marine recourses - "By holding this conference, the Government of Mozambique is contributing to the build capacity to the young generation and the construction of a sustainable future. We reiterate our commitment to the causes of the health of marine ecosystems and biodiversity," Lídia Cardoso said.

The conference aimed to create synergies between the various actions taking place in the country, sharing knowledge from local communities and other key actors, presenting innovative research and strengthening collaboration networks among participants, inspiring young Mozambicans and discussing topics related to ecosystem-based adaptation.

Conference Results:
• Ecosystem-based Adaptation: The need for decentralization and an integrated approach was underlined, and the promotion of new sustainable fishing techniques and the importance of involving local communities in the management of marine resources and educating school children about environmental preservation were also central themes. In this thematic session, the results of the SWIOFC-NC Partnership Project at Limpopo River mouth were presented, in which the process of hydrological restoration of mangrove forests was highlighted with the strong leadership of local communities and Local Government entities, as well as initiatives to support livelihoods that contribute to the strengthening of conservation actions and income generation.
• Marine Conservation Areas: challenges in the use of resources in protected areas, the expansion of protected area boundaries, and the need for greater funding for marine invertebrate conservation projects, which have been less prioritized compared to large species.
• Coastal and Marine Biodiversity: the importance of public disclosure of research data and conservation reports, ensuring sharing, transparency and increased awareness of conservation efforts. In this scope, FAO organized a dialogue panel on science to policy, involving Mozambican and foreign scientists, as well as managers from the fisheries and environment sectors. The panel addressed themes related to Marine Spatial Planning, Expansion of Community Conservation Areas in coastal and marine areas; the influence of hydrological flows on the health of the oceans, as well as the challenges of collaboration between fisheries and the environment, in the framework of the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources and biodiversity conservation. The experiences and studies presented, as well as the conclusions of the discussions, will be taken into account in the implementation of the SWIOFC-NC Partnership Project.

Aligned with FAO's strategic objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Marine Biodiversity Conference represents a concerted effort to address the interconnected challenges posed by climate change, environmental degradation and the vulnerability of coastal communities. It underlines the importance of ecosystem-based approaches in maintaining marine resources and strengthening the resilience of coastal ecosystems.

About the SWIOFC Partnership Program with the Nairobi Convention

FAO, through the South-West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), in partnership with the Nairobi Convention (NC), is implementing a Swedish-funded programme "A Partnership for Resilience of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems and Livelihoods" aims to support Western Indian Ocean (WIO) countries to develop and implement coordinated approaches for the management and sustainable use of fisheries and coastal ecosystems. Phase 1 of the project was implemented in Maputo Bay and Limpopo River Mouth and ended in December 2023, and phase 2 runs from 2023-2027, with the new implementation sites in the districts of Machanga and Moma, located in the provinces of Sofala and Nampula, respectively.