Small-Scale Fisheries in Mozambique

This policy briefing examines the state of small-scale fisheries in Mozambique, highlighting their critical role in the rural economy and food security. While the government has implemented co-management structures and provided technical support, the sector faces significant threats from overfishing, illegal practices, climate change, and conflicts arising from the expansion of tourism and extractive industries.

• Small-scale fisheries are vital to Mozambique's rural economy, employing approximately 280,000 fishers who support extensive networks of family members, processors, and traders.
• The sector is threatened by overfishing and illegal fishing, specifically the urgent increase in the use of 'chicocota' nets—fine mesh nets often made from discarded commercial shrimp nets—which indiscriminately capture species in estuaries.
• Mozambique utilizes a co-management system with Conselho Comunitário de Pesca (CCPs) established at 600 landing sites. While these have helped reduce damaging practices and increase conservation awareness, they suffer from poor financial management, as fishing licence fees intended for them are often not distributed.
• The establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has created tensions between local fishing communities, conservation authorities, and tourism operators due to a top-down approach with limited consultation. Conflicts specifically arise over the capture of species like sharks, rays, eels, and groupers, which tourism operators oppose.
• Climate change poses significant risks to coastal communities through droughts, cyclones, and flooding, as well as changes in ocean temperatures and rainfall. Some CCPs have improved resilience using low-cost measures, such as a flag system to indicate weather risks.
• While Mozambique has a developed legal framework for environmental management, including the requirement for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) under Environment Law No 20/97, enforcement is weak due to financial and technical constraints.

APA

Benkenstein, A. (2013). Small-Scale Fisheries in Mozambique. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Policy-Briefing-72.pdf

Chicago

Benkenstein, Alex. Small-Scale Fisheries in Mozambique. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2013. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Policy-Briefing-72.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Benkenstein |first1=Alex |title=Small-Scale Fisheries in Mozambique |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=August 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Policy-Briefing-72.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{benkenstein2013smallscale, author = {Benkenstein, Alex}, title = {{Small-Scale Fisheries in Mozambique}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Policy-Briefing-72.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }