On August 1st, coastal communities, organizations and ocean defenders around the world celebrate Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day. This date is more than an environmental event; It is a time to recognize the vital importance of these areas for the health of the oceans, biodiversity and the well-being of the human populations that depend on them.
In Mozambique, a country with a vast coastline rich in marine ecosystems, the celebration of this day has taken on a special meaning. Here, the sea is not just landscape, it is sustenance, culture, identity and heritage. Recognizing this deep connection, the community of Crusse, in the district of Mossuril, Nampula province, was the meeting point for a celebration that united more than 150 community members in a moment of learning, sharing and hope. Organised by the Blue Future project, implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mozambique, this day was marked by a rich and inclusive program, designed to involve the entire community.
The celebration aimed to raise awareness in the community about the importance of conserving marine ecosystems and highlight the fundamental role of marine protected areas in the sustainability of natural resources and coastal livelihoods. With a strong community participation, the event had about 80% female participation, evidencing the active involvement of women in local conservation processes.
The activities included community theater, traditional dances, educational games and recreational activities aimed at all ages. These actions sought to transmit, in an accessible and participatory way, knowledge about marine biodiversity and the importance of its protection for future generations.
For WCS Mozambique, the event was also an opportunity to strengthen the dialogue with the community on the proposal to create a MPA of Sustainable Use between Memba and Mossuril, currently in the consultation and local involvement phase through the Blue Future project, as MPAs play an essential role in the regeneration of marine life, in the ecological balance and sustainability of fisheries and, therefore, in the food security of coastal communities. But more than that, they are also spaces for environmental justice and the construction of a shared future, where traditional knowledge, science and community participation converge on solutions to current challenges, including climate change.
