GBW Stories
On March 1st, the International Union for Conservation of Nature proudly celebrated the World Seagrass Day, bringing together representatives from government, local communities, civil society, and academia all united by a shared commitment to protecting Mozambique’s invaluable seagrass ecosystems in the light of the Nature Based Solutions adaptation (NbSA) demonstration sites validation process taking place in Inhassoro under the ReSea project of the Great Blue Wall Initiative
World Seagrass Day in Mozambique is a particularly symbolic celebration as Mozambique hosts critical seagrass ecosystems which are the primary habitat and food source for the Western Indian Ocean’s last viable dugong population. Furthermore, seagrasses provide important nutrient cycling, fish nursery and coastal protection functions.
IUCN, through the Great blue Wall Initiative, is leading a series of initiatives to support seagrass ecosystems. Under the ReSea project, IUCN is updating the Red List of Ecosystems in the WIO as well as integrating nature-based solutions within the NBSAPs and NAPs of Mozambique. The Western Indian Ocean Coastal and Ocean Resilience (WIOCOR) project, supported by the French Fund for Global Environment (FFEM), is a regional project which advances the regenerative blue economy through integrated governance, science and advocacy around seagrass. IUCN is providing support to the development of a regional and national seagrass strategy.
We began the day with a beach clean-up led by community members, removing litter from the shoreline to prevent waste from entering the ocean and harming marine life. This simple yet powerful action reinforces our collective responsibility to safeguard the coastal ecosystems that sustain local livelihoods.
Following the clean-up, participants gathered for official remarks. The Director of District Services for Economic Activities (SDAE) – Romão Lambucene highlighted the critical importance of seagrass meadows, emphasizing that seagrasses are among the most productive and vital ecosystems in Mozambique supporting fisheries, protecting coastlines, storing carbon, and sustaining biodiversity.
The day was marked by several announcements including:
WIOCOR Seagrass Grants – Awardees Announced
Two organisations from Inhambane Province were selected through a regional competitive process for seagrass restoration projects:
First grantee: Associação dos Parceiros Comunitários (APARCO) will implement the project “Hanha Mahata.”
Juliet Lyon, PARCO Director, stated that: “Seagrasses are a critical part of local marine ecosystems. They are home to crabs an important food source for local communities. They also provide habitat for seahorses and sustenance for dugongs our charismatic and iconic friends that bring tourism as alternative income. We are thrilled to protect and restore our local seagrasses through the WIOCOR project.”
Second grantee: Associação Juvenil Para o Desenvolvimento Comunitário (AJUPADEC) will implement the “Blue Inhassoro Project.”
Rui Faduco, AJUPADEC Director, expressed: “We are deeply honoured to receive this WIOCOR grant on World Seagrass Day. In Inhassoro, seagrasses are the foundation of our biodiversity and the guarantee of livelihoods for fishing communities. This support will enable AJUPADEC to strengthen protection of these vital ecosystems, promoting balance between environmental conservation and community well-being.” These initiatives will directly strengthen seagrass restoration, protection, and sustainable management for community benefit.
The grantees were presented with certificates of award by the Director of District Services for Planning and Infrastructure of Inhassoro.
Along the day, the Great Blue Wall Fellows were Announced
IUCN also proudly announced the Great Blue Wall Fellow, Ceiça Chioze, a Mozambican marine scientist who will support community-led conservation, blue carbon initiatives, and seagrass protection in the region.
Ceiça Chioze stated: “To me, seagrass conservation means breathing life back into our waters and empowering Africa as a global leader in marine conservation.”
Seagrass day celebration in Inhassoro demonstrates the power of collaboration for climate resilience, food security, and coastal protection in Mozambique. Their conservation requires joint, sustained action.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the projects supporting this event: WIOCOR and ReSea (Regenerative Seascapes), Muleide, the Government of Inhambane, the Ministry of Global Affairs of Canada, and the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM).
Let’s continue working together to ensure these underwater forests thrive for generations to come.
