ASSESSMENT OF THE SEINE NET TRANSITION IN THE BANP

African Parks project in the Bazaruto Archipelago Natural Park, Vilanculos, Northern Inhambane

Project Dates: 01 Nov 2024, 31 Jan. 2025

The project aimed at assessing the willingness of fishers in the Bazaruto Archipelago Natural Park to limit the use of seine nets in critical ecosystems, particularly coral reefs and seagrass meadows.

The goal is to promote the long-term sustainability of the region’s natural resources while addressing the socio-economic needs of the fishing communities. This assessment is crucial due to the significant ecological and socio-economic impact of seine net fishing in the park. Despite the 2023 prohibition, seine net fishing remains prevalent in BANP due to its importance for local livelihoods and food security. However, its continued use threatens the ecological integrity of sensitive ecosystems like seagrass meadows and coral reefs, which are critical habitats for overfished resident species and vulnerable marine megafauna. These ecosystems play a key role in maintaining the park’s biodiversity. Given that seine nets account for 70-90% of fishing activity in BANP, any strategy to limit their use must carefully consider the socio-economic realities of the fishers and the community at large.

Project Details

Year

2024-2025

Location

Bazaruto, Vilankulo – Mozambique

Project Goals