The Inhambane Bay Community Conservation Network (IBCCN), a small-scale network of 12 no-take MPAs, protects critically important seagrass and mangrove habitats throughout Inhambane Bay, Mozambique. Seagrass meadows and mangrove forests provide important nursery grounds for fish, support an incredible diversity of invertebrates and sea birds, sequester atmospheric carbon faster than any terrestrial ecosystem and buffer coastlines from storms. Unfortunately, these habitats are exceptionally vulnerable to degradation and destruction – they are often located near human population centers and are impacted by coastal development, waste and agricultural runoff, and overuse. The coastal communities of Inhambane province in Mozambique are leading an effort to preserve and protect the vital mangrove and seagrass habitats they have lived alongside for decades.
Village elders have historically determined where fishing was allowed. Known as “Mukhedzisseli," or “the watchers,”they regularly closed areas based off of “ocean rules” in order to protect important fish nursery areas. However over past decades these “ocean rules” have been ignored or lost and communities and the environment have suffered as a result. Spurred to action by these changes the Mukhedzisseli and other village elders established the IBCCN.
The IBCCN is a series of 12 no-take areas, Community Conservation Areas (conservation area), established in 2017. Each conservation area is managed by the Community Fishing Councils and traditional leaders of one or more of the five coastal communities of Muele, Nhampossa, Guidwane, Mucucune and Marambone. Other federal agencies and the non-profits Ocean Revolution and Bitonga Divers participate in this management process as well. The IBCCN protects mangroves and seagrass beds as well as other estuary and wetland spaces throughout Inhambane Bay. Each conservation area, known as "sidika," provide breeding, nursery and foraging spaces for artisinal fishery species and reef fish as well as IUCN Red Listed species including dugongs, dolphins, sea turtles and reef fish. The specific locations of each conservation area were chosen based on historical knowledge of select species breeding and foraging behavior. As a result the IBCCN is a strategic MPA network within Inhambane Bay.
