Progress of the Dugong Seagrass Conservation Project in

Progress of the Dugong & Seagrass Conservation Project in Mozambique 3 rd Executive Project Steering Committee meeting 21 -23 November, 2017 Trang, Thailand

Map of MZ Sites

Baseline in 2015 • Dugongs: limited information generated in 1999 • Seagrass: scattered/ no information – latest data since 2006 • Education: 90 kids piloted trained for Environmental awareness and games • Communities: 0 community-based monitoring/management structures integrating dugongs • Incentives: 0 incentives • Policies: Dugong Mo. U signed in 2011 but no sectoral policy integrates dugongs and seagrass Progress by 2017 • Dugongs: maps/ data on distribution, threats, occurrence for 3 sites • Seagrass: maps/ data on composition, distribution, use and abundancy for 3 sites • Education: 14 schools and 6 fishing communities trained • Policies: policy gap analysis not started yet • Communities: 3 communities participate in dugong hotspots management/ monitoring; • 1 incentive model based on ODK and fisheries data collection designed and piloted; Targets for 2018 • Dugongs: national database to be managed by Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries • Seagrass: national database and provisioning ecosystem services valuation; • Education: 1 national communication strategy, 20, 000 people reached out, + 150 fishers • Policies: information on dugongs and seagrass feed sectoral policies on nationally • Communities: 4 communities participate in monitoring/ management of dugong/ seagrass hotspots • Incentives: 3 incentives models expanding to 4 communities

Results from dugong research in Mozambique v What is the current dugong population size and distribution along Mozambique coast? v 2015 status of dugong population: unknown v Aerial survey, Acoustic monitoring (only in sites with limited visibility; Catch/Bycatch standardised questionnaire survey; Genetic population structure (using samples from dead dugongs) v 2 sites, 545 ha: Bazaruto region - 500 ha ; and Inhaca Island to Ponta do Ouro - 45 ha (also hotspots) -> hotspots v 3 aerial surveys in 2017 – stable dugong population; large herds being outside of the Bazaruto National Park A dugong made of shells on Bazaruto island ® Dugong & Seagrass Conservation Project

Results from dugong research in Mozambique v The Number of sightings of dugongs in 2015: frequent - 18 individuals; • Death since 2015: 6 confirmed cases and 10 reported but unconfirmed v Threats to dugongs - fisheries (catch on beach seine, especially during night and gill nets), oil and gas, extreme events v Follow up actions: awareness to fishers about the status of dugongs, need of EIA to oil and gas projects v Key results so far: presence only data, abundance data, maps, mobile app for reporting sightings • Data hosted by Dugongs. org v Key results 2018: experimentation with acoustic loggers will continue in order to determine the frequency of dugong Fish traps ® Dugong & Seagrass Conservation Project

Results from seagrass research in Mozambique • Surveys of potential seagrass ecosystem, Where are the most suitable habitat for dugongs? • Bazaruto region - from Save River to Cabo São Sebastião - 500 ha • Remote sensing and surveys of beach-cast seagrass; • Seagrass cover in the southern area of Bazaruto archipelago region mapped in 2005; Seagrass research by Dugongos. org • Seagrass cover at the northern area and where dugongs are abundant still unknown • Threats: flooding & sedimentation, cyclones and beach seine fishery • Follow up : awareness raising, studying of fish assemblages to demonstrate the impact of fishing • Most important results – fish assemblages assessment; database – first seagrass mapping at Bartolomeu Dias bay; • 2018 target: habitat suitability modeling

Project policy response to dugong & seagrass conservation needs in Mozambique v The most important policy needs of dugong & seagrass conservation identified in 2015 - Dugong and Seagrass National Actions Plan; v National Facilitating Committee meetings v Contracting services on sectoral policies on integrating dugongs and seagrasses is in process; Mozambique emergency meeting, 2017 ® Dugong & Seagrass Conservation Project

Community-based stewardship of dugongs and their seagrass habitats in Mozambique 2015 Sitone community on Bazaruto 2017 1 new site + 6 communities (Moçimboa de Praia, Angoche, Moma, Larde, e Pebane) – Public Health Environment 2016 3 communities. Photo: on Isabelle Giddy Bazaruto involved in piloting of fishery monitoring application

Community-based stewardship of dugongs and their seagrass habitats in Mozambique v Man-dugong/ seagrass conflicts: – High fishing pressure on the seagrass beds – Night fishing v Most common community needs: food and income security; v Phone fisheries monitoring application incentive piloted in Bazaruto v 2 Types of incentive models v Public Health Environment Programme Photo: Isabelle Giddy

Education & Awareness about dugongs and seagrass v Audiences: Teachers and Students, Fishing communities and Policy makers v Project results so far: Teaching and training material on dugongs, seagrass and fiseries; awareness raising among fishing communities; launch of Facebook page, Friend of Dugongs (Amigos dos Dugongos); 2 children games; and dissemination of a draft dugong management plan at NFC v Effectiveness and sustainability by: Training teachers, distribution of posters and involvement of fishers officers on awareness and education v In 2018: trainings, incorporation of marine issues in local education curricula in Inhassoro; communications strategy implemented

Project indicator Year 2015 Year 2017 1. Total area of seagrass (key areas for dugongs) under improved conservation management 100 ha 3 seagrass sites 100 ha; 3 seagrass sites (Nhamabue sanctuary was not approved yet) 2. METT scores in targeted protected areas (MPAs, LMMAs, others) in national programmes 1 2 3. Use of gill nets (beach seines), fixed fish traps and 100 persons using other damaging methods) by fishermen (which result bad fishing gear; 2 in incidental dugong mortality) reduced dead dugongs 80 persons using bad fishing gear 3 dead dugongs 4. Community engagement in management (CBM) for dugong conservation in selected priority target areas 0 community members trained; 0 locals involved in management of LMMA 1000 community members trained (teachers, students, fishers and fish traders); 6 local Community fishing councils targeted for awareness dialogues engaged in LMMAs management 5. Number of community-based conservation/ monitoring systems established and functioning for dugong and seagrass) in priority target areas 0 community-based 3 community committees in 2 MPA conservation systems in 1 MPA 6. Number and uptake of incentive and management Previous incentives tools linking sustainable fishing practices and no longer being adoption of best practice (see also Indicator 3) implemented 1 incentive introduced (fisheries management tool), discussed and piloted in three communities. Uptake limited due to unfavorable conditions 7. Availability and uptake of conservation management information (digital maps of dugong and seagrass distribution & status; ecosystem services valuation data; pilot studies – e. g. assessment of Blue Carbon potential) Map of dugong distribution covering 200 ha No seagrass data Maps and data of dugong seagrass across 500 ha; Valuation of seagrass ecosystem services; Baseline Baited Remote Underwater Camera survey completed in seagrass meadows under varying levels of management 8. Progress on implementation of national and regional Strategies/ Action Plans for dugong and seagrass conservation 1 Dugong National Plan of Actions drafted, updated and discussed 9. Incorporation of dugong protection and dugong/ seagrass conservation in other sectors 0 policy gap analysis Policy recommendations to sectors

Mozambique lessons learned • • • What went well and why? • BRUV survey completed successfully with good results and potential for replication – simple methodology, clear roles and responsibilities – not an initiative that requires a deep understanding of community dynamics – Teachers training and student lectures - good cooperation of Education Authorities – Workshops with fishing community - involvement of District Fishery Authority in the program What went wrong and why? • Failure to implement incentive projects due to the lack of investigation pre-project implementation (economics, value-chain analysis, understanding of community dynamics, insufficient human resources and inadequate communication with stakeholders). • Delays start of the program, no targeting of general public and high level politicians, limited use of social media How can we do better? • Ensure that projects are well researched and scoping exercises have been completed before implementation. • Don’t cut corners when it comes to human resources • Ensure communication and clear roles and responsibilities among stakeholders – Design and implement a communication strategy to achieve all public sectors

Next steps • Continue to analyze BRU data, carry out summer survey in November/December. • Student to complete Honor's Thesis with data • Re-assess situation of fishery on Bazaruto, further research and continue prototyping potential solutions. Fishers workshops. • Need to evaluate Mozambique’s current policy on seine-net management in the light of the increasing need to build resilience to climate change • Undertake regular operational meetings of National Facilitation Committee. • Communicate all the highlights of the project and progress in Social media • Undertake a thorough legal analysis, review of gaps, and develop recommendations for legislative and policy reform to improve management of seagrass ecosystems and conservation of dugongs • Training for key government stakeholders in the importance of dugongs and seagrass ecosystems.

MUITO OBRIGADO PELA SUA ATENÇÃO! Dugongos. org 14