With the objective to advocate for sustainable fishing practices and protection of their marine ecosystem (Tofo, Barra, Rocha, Morrungulo, Bazaruto), the organisation will also help communities to protect their valuable natural resources for future generations, supported by improved scientific knowledge of keystone species and fisheries, responsible marine resource management and alternative livelihoods and a creation of a network of Ocean Ambassadors and Guardians raised to cherish their waters.
To build on this, we have established our pilot Coral Reef Club. This club targets 16-21 year-olds who have graduated from our Nemos Pequenos programme and provides these young adults with capacity building and life skills opportunities. Already extremely popular, it serves two very important functions in the community, by providing: 1) ongoing marine conservation education and, 2) support in finding livelihoods (other than fishing) through vocational internships with local businesses and employment skills.
We need to scale up our efforts and build on our initial successes. We want to deepen our research into why marine megafauna are in rapid decline, continue to raise the Ocean Ambassadors and Guardians of the future and increase the reach of our conservation efforts along the coastline.