Octopus closed season failed

06.12.2017

The octopus closed season pilot this year was unfortunately not successful.

In the beginning the local rules have been respected for a short time and in certain areas. It was clear for us organizers that there will be some poaching, but after the long preparation we didn’t expect an active and strong opposition and very weak enforcement of the by-laws on the other side.

In Bwejuu the closure did not even start because the project was not well communicated by the fishermen committee and the elders. So Michamvi decided not to close their reef. They knew they couldn’t protect the boarders against fishers from Bwejuu, from Uroa and from Chwaka.

In Makunduchi, Jambiani and Paje the closure was respected for a certain time. But in Jambiani a group of opponents formed. Some fishers without a license and with illegal gear who didn’t show up on the preparation meetings they have been invited. The group demanded compensation, what is not an option because it would not be sustainable. They didn’t understand that they would be the ones benefitting the most from the project!

Some members agitated very intensively. Supporters and organizers were threatened and denounced with bad rumors. Even after an intervention of the Director of Fisheries in Jambiani they continued to ignore the local by-laws and nobody had the guts to stop or even arrest them. Probably one strong sign would have been enough!

Octopus catcher in Bwejuu © Tommy Trenchard and Aurelie Marrier d'Unienville

In Makunduchi two poachers have been caught in the night by the official coast guards (Doria). But after paying some grease money they were released and even got their illegal fishing gear back. The story spread quickly and most of the fishers realized that the enforcement was too weak and resumed to catch Octopus.

Even if the project wasn't successful this year and the Octopus population could not recover, we will continue to work on the matter. The discussions in the villages were huge and the majority is with us. In a meeting in Jambiani over 200 people showed up. There was a big number of women that asked intensively to enforce the closure. They have no chances against the male competitors who can swim and hunt with masks and harpoons. The opponents could only mobilize 22 people on their side.

In the name of all organizers and project partners we would like to thank all suporterts and all hotels and restaurants that have been patient and support the project. We will continue to work on awareness and on better enforcement capacities. And we seek the conversation with the opponents.

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