Page 9 - Comoros Report

Protected areas

Comoros has come a long way to ensure sustainable management and protection of the marine and
coastal ecosystems. Notably, in 2001 it declared its first protected area, the Moheli National Park.
To date, it is still the only protected, though it includes ten marine reserves. Most importantly, the
Park is co-managed by the community and the state. The rationale is to improve the livelihood of the Country Profile
adjacent community while at the same time ensuring marine conservation. The Republic of Comoros

Tremendous progress has been made in terms of policy and future projection. Comoros intends to
create three marine national parks, namely the Mitsamiouli-Ndroude, Shisiwani and Coelacanth
national park. Such a move will push Comoros towards achieving 25 per cent of national territory
being under protected areas by 2021.

Fisheries
The challenge

Fishing is the second largest income earner for the economy after agriculture. However, the value
has been decreasing due to poverty, poor fishing practices and added vulnerability to external shocks
such as climate change.

The situation
Fisheries resources

Fishing in Comoros is mainly small scale targeting pelagic fish and species such as the Serranidae,
Lutjanidae and Lethrinidae. However, industrial and semi-industrial fishing also exist. After agriculture,
fishing is the second largest contributor to the economy. For instance, in 2013, the contribution of
fishing to the GDP was estimated at 8 per cent, marking a decrease from 15 per cent in 2010
(source).

These maritime resources, sustains the three types of fishing occurring in Comoros, namely, the
artisanal, traditional and industrial fishing. Inshore fishing in Comoros most exploited using traditional
fishing methods by artisanal fishers while the deep-sea fishing, characterized as bulk capture, is
normally conducted by foreign vessels.

Fishing in Comoros is mainly small scale targeting pelagic fish and species such as the Serranidae,
Lutjanidae and Lethrinidae. However, industrial and semi-industrial fishing also exist. After agriculture,
fishing is the second most income earner to the economy of Comoros. However, the value has been
decrease due to vulnerability to shock, povertys and poor fishing practice. Total fish production is
12,700 metric tons of which capture fisheries 0.4 per cent (source).

Considering the narrow outline of the Comorian continental shelf, fishing is mostly in the ocean
surface water and target tuna species which have thrived in Comoros mainly because Comoros
is situated along the migratory path if tuna and swordfish. Tuna is primarily harvested using purse
seining vessels from foreign states. The main tuna and tuna-like species include: Thunnus albacares,
Thunnus alalonga, Katsuwonus pelamis, Istiophorus platypterus, Euthynnus affinis and Thunnus
obesus (source)

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