Restoring Ocean Ecosystems with AFO / 15 minute read
11 out of 25 regions in Tanzania’s mainland are found in the lake zone and coast, where communities depend on oceans, rivers, and lakes to serve as sources of income and food. Population pressure and climate change put these critical ecosystems at risk.
Aqua-Farms Organization (AFO) is a nonprofit in Tanzania that ensures development and food security are achieved through environmentally-friendly aquaculture and fisheries.
Aqua-Farms Organization (AFO) is a nonprofit in Tanzania that ensures development and food security are achieved through environmentally-friendly aquaculture and fisheries.
World Centric has supported AFO's work through our Staff Giving program. In celebration of World Ocean's Day, we caught up with AFO to take a deeper dive into learning more about the restoration work they're doing in Tanzania's watersheds and wetlands:
What is the work that AFO is doing to restore ocean ecosystems?
Aqua-Farms Organization (AFO) is deeply committed to restoring and safeguarding Tanzania's coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves and coral reefs.
Our cornerstone blue carbon project aims to build resilience along Tanzania's coastline by restoring degraded mangrove habitats. It not only focuses on ecological restoration but also seeks to empower coastal communities economically. A portion of the income generated from carbon trading will be reinvested into the community, prioritizing education, with a special emphasis on supporting girls, and improving water services. Additionally, we are dedicated to enhancing the leadership skills of women by enrolling a high proportion of them to lead carbon monitoring and community awareness activities. As part of our ongoing efforts, over 33,000 mangrove seedlings have been successfully replanted across four hectares of mangroves in Mbweni and Kunduchi.
What is the work that AFO is doing to restore ocean ecosystems?
Aqua-Farms Organization (AFO) is deeply committed to restoring and safeguarding Tanzania's coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves and coral reefs.
Our cornerstone blue carbon project aims to build resilience along Tanzania's coastline by restoring degraded mangrove habitats. It not only focuses on ecological restoration but also seeks to empower coastal communities economically. A portion of the income generated from carbon trading will be reinvested into the community, prioritizing education, with a special emphasis on supporting girls, and improving water services. Additionally, we are dedicated to enhancing the leadership skills of women by enrolling a high proportion of them to lead carbon monitoring and community awareness activities. As part of our ongoing efforts, over 33,000 mangrove seedlings have been successfully replanted across four hectares of mangroves in Mbweni and Kunduchi.
AFO is also working to restore coral reefs in the coastal area of Buyuni. We recognize the reef's crucial role in supporting marine life and coastal livelihoods. Our comprehensive initiative in Buyuni involves monitoring biophysical conditions and implementing restoration activities to revitalize degraded coral reefs. Central to our strategy is the active engagement of local stakeholders, ensuring community ownership and long-term sustainability. We provide advanced scuba diving training for local fishermen, equipping community members with the skills needed to contribute effectively to coral reef restoration efforts.
Despite weather challenges, our project successfully restored 1,073 coral fragments within a designated damaged area, covering a 400-meter square site. Rigorous monitoring and evaluation protocols were implemented to ensure the long-term success of the restoration efforts, resulting in a commendable 90% survival rate for five different coral species.
Despite weather challenges, our project successfully restored 1,073 coral fragments within a designated damaged area, covering a 400-meter square site. Rigorous monitoring and evaluation protocols were implemented to ensure the long-term success of the restoration efforts, resulting in a commendable 90% survival rate for five different coral species.
Mangroves and coral reefs seem like two very different types of ecosystem. How are they related?
Mangroves and coral reefs are indeed distinct ecosystems, but they share several important similarities and interconnectedness:
1. Coastal Protection: Both mangroves and coral reefs serve as natural barriers that protect coastal communities from erosion, storm surges, and extreme weather events.
2. Biodiversity Hotspots: Mangroves and coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. They provide habitat and nursery grounds for a wide array of marine species, including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and birds.
3. Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass and sediments, helping to mitigate climate change. Similarly, coral reefs sequester carbon through the calcification process of coral polyps, which forms the framework of the reef structure.
4. Economic Importance: Mangroves and coral reefs contribute substantially to the economies of coastal communities through fisheries, tourism, and shoreline protection. Healthy mangrove forests support commercial and subsistence fisheries, while coral reefs attract tourists for diving, snorkeling, and recreational activities.
5. Symbiotic Relationships: Mangroves and coral reefs often exist in close proximity to each other, forming interconnected ecosystems known as "ecotones." Mangroves provide organic matter and nutrients to adjacent coral reefs through runoff and tidal currents, while coral reefs offer sheltered environments for mangrove seedlings to establish and grow.
Why is it important to protect both mangroves and coral reefs?
1. Biodiversity Conservation: Preserving mangroves and coral reefs helps safeguard biodiversity by maintaining habitat diversity and supporting a wide range of species, many of which are economically and ecologically important.
2. Climate Resilience: Mangroves and coral reefs provide natural resilience to climate change impacts such as sea level rise, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events. Protecting these ecosystems can enhance the adaptive capacity of coastal communities and ecosystems.
3. Sustainable Livelihoods: Healthy mangroves and coral reefs support sustainable livelihoods for millions of people worldwide, and it's the same for our coastal communities too. By protecting these ecosystems, we can ensure the continued provision of ecosystem services that benefit local communities.
4. Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves and coral reefs play a vital role in mitigating climate change by sequestering and storing carbon. Protecting these ecosystems helps to maintain their carbon sequestration capacity, contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What is the connection between people and places in the coastal communities you with in?
Within the communities we serve in Dar es Salaam and along Tanzania's coastlines, lakes, and rivers, people have deeply intertwined relationships with their surrounding ecosystems. These communities, constituting 25% of Tanzania's population, rely heavily on these ecosystems for sustenance and livelihoods. However, they face significant challenges stemming from limited awareness of sustainable practices and the prevalence of illegal and unregulated fishing.
Moreover, the impacts of climate change exacerbate these challenges, resulting in declining fisheries, failing aquaculture ventures, and heightened environmental degradation. Given their heavy dependence on fisheries and aquaculture, overfishing, pollution, and climate change-induced disruptions directly affect these communities, leading to diminished fish stocks and food insecurity.
Despite these challenges, there is a deep bond between the people and the coastal ecosystems they inhabit. Coastal communities exhibit remarkable resilience and possess a profound connection to marine resources, stemming from generations of dependence. Recognizing this bond, AFO endeavors to empower these communities by providing them with the knowledge and resources to adopt sustainable practices, preserving both livelihoods and the environment.
How are communities involved in your restoration programs?
In 2023 alone, our restoration programs engaged communities in various impactful ways:
1. Community-Led Restoration: A notable aspect of our approach is the active involvement of communities in restoration efforts. Fifteen hectares of ocean were specifically restored through community-led initiatives, indicating a participatory approach where community members were directly engaged in the restoration process.
2. Capacity Building and Training: We prioritize knowledge-sharing and capacity-building by training 554 individuals in sustainable natural resource management and ocean biodiversity conservation. This approach aims to empower community members with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to conservation efforts.
3. Awareness Campaigns: We conduct awareness campaigns reaching 8,568 people, educating them about the importance of ocean conservation and the value of preserving marine ecosystems. This approach aims to foster a deeper appreciation for marine resources and promote behavior change towards more sustainable practices.
4. Socioeconomic Empowerment: Our programs focus on socio economic empowerment by supporting income generation activities for 143 individuals. Additionally, innovative financing models, including the issuance of $30,000 in soft loans, provided financial support for community-driven initiatives, enhancing economic opportunities and resilience.
5. Livelihood Diversification and Climate Resilience: AFO trained 376 individuals in improved livelihood practices and climate-resilient solutions, equipping them with skills to adapt to environmental challenges effectively. This approach aims to enhance community resilience by diversifying livelihoods and promoting adaptive strategies in the face of climate change.
6. Community Group Support: AFO facilitates collaboration and support among community groups by providing assistance in governance, effective management, and the implementation of climate-resilient solutions. This approach fosters collective action and community cohesion, enabling communities to address environmental challenges collectively.
