Coastal communities have served as traditional custodians of the sea for hundreds of years. Their lives are inextricably linked to the health of the ocean, very often they have few or no alternative livelihoods. The knowledge of these people is of crucial importance for keeping healthy marine ecosystems, but frequently this knowledge and the communities' rights to manage coastal resources are not recognized. Ocean Witness provides coastal communities and their supporters a platform to share personal stories and solutions for protecting the coastlines and associated livelihoods. We aim to amplify these voices, generate a network of supporters and contribute to a global movement for promoting and accelerating coastal community-led solutions.
Marcelin Barry from Kleinmond, South Africa, is the son of a fisherwoman. Her connection with the sea and his father’s passion for nature planted the seeds of Marcelin’s devotion to the ocean. Today, the youth leader works with WWF and the fishers from his coastal community to contribute to coastal and marine conservation.
Born in a fishermen’s family, Suresh started his fishing career in a small dugout canoe at the age of 18. Now, 30 years later, he owns a trawler boat and is a shareholder in another one but still goes out fishing in a traditional boat. Once he realised how destructive trawl fishing can be, he knew something had to change. Suresh decided to work with WWF-India and use more sustainable fishing gear. “I am happy I was able to convince my crew, because the quality of the catch improved and I noticed we have less juvenile fish as bycatch.”
Siti Norazliyana Ali, known as Yana, grew up in the coastal city of Malacca in Malaysia. The marine biologist leads the Malacca Hawksbill Conservation programme of WWF-Malaysia. She works closely with the coastal communities in the area – including former poachers – to protect hawksbill sea turtles. The people who used to threaten this endangered species have now become their protectors.
In Coliumo, a coastal village in central Chile, women have fought for their right to be involved in natural resource management. The women’s seaweed union was established more than 20 years ago and has changed the role of women in the fishing village over the years. But they still have a long way to go, as Sara Garrido explains.
Fatuma Macho grew up on Mafia Island, one of the larger islands along the coastline of Tanzania. After quitting school at a young age, she could barely make ends meet selling fish. Thanks to her perseverance and innovative skills, combined with the opportunity to join a community banking group, she now has a thriving business and protects whale sharks.
It has been more than 30 years since she saw the vastness of the sea for the first time, but Maritza Landázuri from Colombia is still amazed by the number of creatures inhabiting it. The beauty of nature continues to surprise her every single day. She has always been amazed by the extreme coolness of the mangroves on hot days, the colourful sunsets or the infinity of the ocean.
When Joel Verde grew up in the coastal community of Sarteneja, Belize, becoming a fisherman seemed to be his only opportunity. But his family encouraged him to follow a different path. Today, he is executive director of the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development. The alliance manages Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary with coastal communities: “It was important to gain the trust of communities and let them know that we are agents of protection for their own benefit.”
María Inés Ayala Loro lives with her family in San José, a small fishing community in Chiclayo in North Peru. In 2020, María participated in a project facilitated by WWF-Peru to integrate LED lights in fishing nets. This technology decreases the accidental catch of sea turtles and has been successful in different parts of the world. With the community of San José, WWF organised online workshops to capacitate the women of the community in the use of LED lights. In addition, a gender workshop promoting the role of women within fisheries — a very important economic activity in Peru — was organised with the community. For Maria, this was only the beginning.
In the province of Cádiz in southern Spain, fisherwoman Manuela Leal Sánchez works hard every day to make the region’s fishery more sustainable. As the captain of a bottom longline boat and a leader of her community, Manuela is part of Artisanal Fish Producers Lonja de Conil and is working with WWF to establish a coastal marine protected area: “A marine reserve will help increase the fish population, including species that are of interest for our fishery.”
After working in Chile’s fisheries for many years, Patricio Merino became an advocate for marine conservation in his community and the Director of the Multiple-Use Coastal Marine Protected Area Pitipalena-Añihué Foundation. With his town’s fishermen’s union, local organisations, the Ministry of Environment and, after the establishment of the protected area, with the support of WWF-Chile, Patricio was part of the creation of the first community-managed marine protected area in Chile. Here, he tells us the story of how the protected area of Pitipalena-Añihué became an example for coastal conservation: “The idea is to set a precedent for the future.”
Helena Lešić made her home on the Croatian island Lastovo after following Ivica, a fisherman in heart and soul. As it became harder to earn a decent living as fishers, they knew it was time to search for something else. With the support of WWF, this couple initiated fishing tourism by taking travellers on their boat and sharing their knowledge about sustainable fishing. Helena and Ivica share a love for their island, the sea and for each other.
Jack Sagumai studied marine biology and made it his life’s purpose to restore the ocean’s health. He grew up in a coastal community in Papua New Guinea and now works with WWF and community members to collect scientific data on sharks and rays. According to Jack, most people in his country no longer care about the ocean the way their ancestors did. This has to change: “It is important that people know how to fish sustainably, learn about the threats to marine biodiversity and are aware about the impact of human activities.”
Ernestine Perline is only 29 years old but is already a leader in her community. As the president of the fishers’ association of Marohata in southwest Madagascar, the mother of four has guided her community on using sustainable fishing tools and establishing locally managed marine areas. This way, she contributes to maintaining the fish populations and safeguarding the livelihoods of her community. WWF-Madagascar works with Ernestine as part of the sustainable coastal fishing project that supports local communities living near the country’s national parks.
Salim Dablo is from the Indus Delta in Pakistan, one of the richest ecosystems in the world. Witnessing his community using unsustainable fishing gear as a response to decreasing catches, Salim knew it was not a long-term solution. He took initiative to realise a positive change and started to work with WWF-Pakistan to protect coastal ecosystems and simultaneously support the community’s livelihood. Now, this Ocean Witness wants to share their local solutions with other communities around the world.
Julián Marcial was born and raised on ‘Isla Escalante’, a small island in the Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador. As a fisherman using stake nets, he applies a technique that has been used to catch shrimp for generations. Passionate about sustainable fishing, Julián participated in a pilot project of WWF Ecuador in 2016 that assessed a rights-based management system for the artisanal shrimp fishery that benefits both the fishery and the coastal ecosystem. With success: in July 2020 the Ecuadorian government announced a decree that allows WWF to work side by side with the local fishermen and authorities to formalize the artisanal shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Guayaquil. Here, a dedicated Ocean Witness shares his story.
Samson (33) is a member of the fishing community of Beheloke, Madagascar. He strongly believes in the importance of coastal communities taking responsibility for the marine resources in their area, and leads by example. As a member of the committee of the locally managed marine area (LMMA) of Beheloke, Samson promotes sustainable fishing practices in his village and encourages other fishing communities to take initiative, follow regulations and not give up in challenging times.
Dhaval spent most of his childhood on the beaches of Gujarat, a state on the west coast of India. Being part of a fishing community, he has witnessed a decline of fish catches that has left his community struggling. Dhaval realised the only way to a healthy future for Gujarat’s fisheries was the sustainable way, and he decided to devote his time to this cause. Now, Dhaval works with WWF to reduce shark bycatch in India’s trawl fisheries in a programme that he sees having the potential to be implemented in other parts of the world.
Lara Muaves became passionate about the ocean when she was only 10 years old. As a senior marine officer at WWF-Mozambique, she works closely with coastal communities every day: “Community-led conservation is the best approach to achieve sustainable, impactful and direct results that benefit both nature and people.” Lara has experienced it first-hand while piloting octopus fisheries closures in Cabo Delgado with communities, a model that shows real potential to be applied at national and even regional scale.
‘I've always felt a great passion and attraction to the sea.’ As dive instructor and president of the Armação de Pêra's fishermen association, Miguel Rodrigues sees the importance of protecting and preserving our oceans. He works to instigate positive changes in his local coastline and community, and today Miguel shares his amazing story.
Ariana Freire grew up on the Galapagos Islands. Now, 23 years old, she shares this biodiverse place with tourists in her work as a naturalist guide. When heading out with tourists, she frequently encounters garbage on the beaches and she notices that the number of fishermen decreases as tourism increases in the archipelago. These changes do not discourage but inspire Ariana; her passion for nature makes that she initiates beach clean-ups with tourists and studies environmental administration to contribute to healthier oceans.
As a part of the seafaring Bajo tribe, Hartono spends most of his time on the water. As a fisherman, he’s witnessing how damaging illegal fishing practices have become to the marine environment. Committed to advocate for the ocean’s well-being, Hartono is a member of the Ranger Partner community and the leader of sustainable fishing group Sanggeh Kami.
‘I would say that the ocean is reciprocating: it is giving back exactly what we have been doing to it.’ Kalani Quiocho saw the duality of life and death in the ocean and immediately felt a great responsibility and moral obligation to do something; to protect his safe place. Today he shares his inspirational story.
Ocean Witness Hermany was born and raised in a small coastal village in southwest Madagascar and the ocean has always been a large part of his life. He’s now the president of MIHARI (Madagascar’s network of Locally Managed Marine Areas) and not without success: already 17% of Madagascar’s seas are now under local management. Today we share his story.
She grew up in what most people would call paradise: Omadal, Malaysia. However, she’s been a first-hand witness to the ocean changing over the last decades. Roziah decided to take matters into her own hands and took on the responsibility of leading the Women's Association of Omadal Island. Roziah is our next Ocean Witness.
Our first Ocean Witness story finds its roots near the shore of Peniche (Portugal) where we follow Emanuel, one of the fishermen that changed his ways to contribute to a healthier ocean in the future. Peniche is an important harbor for fishery with a strong focus on the ocean for income surrounding the Berlengas islands – a MPA and UNESCO site. An important population of Goose Barnacles thrive in this coastal area. Read Emanuel’s inspiring story.
“We have to protect the oceans and all the marine resources in the South Pacific, so that the future generations are still able to see all that lives in the ocean.” Rindah Melsen emphasizes the importance of protecting the ocean.
"They feel more confident and proud of what they do." Ocean Witness Daniel Andrade about his successful project in the mangroves of Brazil.
Marcelin Barry from Kleinmond, South Africa, is the son of a fisherwoman. Her connection with the sea and his father’s passion for nature planted the seeds of Marcelin’s devotion to the ocean. Today, the youth leader works with WWF and the fishers from his coastal community to contribute to coastal and marine conservation.
Read the story
Born in a fishermen’s family, Suresh owns a trawler boat and is a shareholder in another one but still goes out fishing in a traditional boat. Once he realised how destructive trawl fishing can be, he knew something had to change. Suresh decided to work with WWF-India and use more sustainable fishing gear.
Read the storySiti Norazliyana Ali, known as Yana, grew up in the coastal city of Malacca in Malaysia. The marine biologist leads the Malacca Hawksbill Conservation programme of WWF-Malaysia. She works closely with the coastal communities in the area – including former poachers – to protect hawksbill sea turtles.
Read the storyIn Coliumo, a coastal village in central Chile, women have fought for their right to be involved in natural resource management. The women’s seaweed union was established more than 20 years ago and has changed the role of women in the fishing village over the years. But they still have a long way to go, as Sara Garrido explains.
Read the storyFatuma Macho grew up on Mafia Island in Tanzania. After quitting school at a young age, she could barely make ends meet selling fish. Thanks to her perseverance and innovative skills, combined with the opportunity to join a community banking group, she now has a thriving business and protects whale sharks.
Read the storyIt has been more than 30 years since she saw the vastness of the sea for the first time, but Maritza Landázuri from Colombia is still amazed by the number of creatures inhabiting it. The beauty of nature continues to surprise her every single day. She has always been amazed by the extreme coolness of the mangroves on hot days, the colourful sunsets or the infinity of the ocean.
Read the storyWhen Joel Verde grew up in the coastal community of Sarteneja, Belize, becoming a fisherman seemed to be his only opportunity. But his family encouraged him to follow a different path. Today, he is executive director of the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development.
Read the storyMaría Inés Ayala Loro lives with her family in San José, a small fishing community in Chiclayo in North Peru. In 2020, María participated in a project facilitated by WWF-Peru to integrate LED lights in fishing nets. This technology decreases the accidental catch of sea turtles and has been successful in different parts of the world. With the community of San José, WWF organised online workshops to capacitate the women of the community in the use of LED lights. For Maria, this was only the beginning.
Read the storyIn the province of Cádiz in southern Spain, fisherwoman Manuela Leal Sánchez works hard every day to make the region’s fishery more sustainable. As the captain of a bottom longline boat and a leader of her community, Manuela is part of Artisanal Fish Producers Lonja de Conil and is working with WWF to establish a coastal marine protected area.
Read the storyAfter working in Chile’s fisheries for many years, Patricio Merino became an advocate for marine conservation in his community and the Director of the Multiple-Use Coastal Marine Protected Area Pitipalena-Añihué Foundation.
Read the storyHelena Lešić made her home on the Croatian island Lastovo after following Ivica, a fisherman in heart and soul. As it became harder to earn a decent living as fishers, they knew it was time to search for something else.
Read the storyJack Sagumai studied marine biology and made it his life’s purpose to restore the ocean’s health. He grew up in a coastal community in Papua New Guinea and now works with WWF and community members to collect scientific data on sharks and rays.
Read the storyErnestine Perline is only 29 years old but is already a leader in her community. As the president of the fishers’ association of Marohata in southwest Madagascar, the mother of four has guided her community on using sustainable fishing tools and establishing locally managed marine areas. This way, she contributes to maintaining the fish populations and safeguarding the livelihoods of her community.
Read the story
Salim Dablo is from the Indus Delta in Pakistan, one of the richest ecosystems in the world. Witnessing his community using unsustainable fishing gear as a response to decreasing catches, Salim knew it was not a long-term solution. He took initiative to realise a positive change and started to work with WWF-Pakistan to protect coastal ecosystems and simultaneously support the community’s livelihood.
Read the storyJulián Marcial was born and raised on ‘Isla Escalante’, a small island in the Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador. As a fisherman using stake nets, he applies a technique that has been used to catch shrimp for generations. Passionate about sustainable fishing, Julián participated in a pilot project of WWF Ecuador in 2016.
Read the storySamson (33) is a member of the fishing community of Beheloke, Madagascar. He strongly believes in the importance of coastal communities taking responsibility for the marine resources in their area, and leads by example. As a member of the committee of the locally managed marine area (LMMA) of Beheloke, Samson promotes sustainable fishing practices in his village and encourages other fishing communities to take initiative, follow regulations and not give up in challenging times.
Read the storyDhaval spent most of his childhood on the beaches of Gujarat, a state on the west coast of India. Being part of a fishing community, he has witnessed a decline of fish catches that has left his community struggling. Dhaval realised the only way to a healthy future for Gujarat’s fisheries was the sustainable way, and he decided to devote his time to this cause. Now, Dhaval works with WWF to reduce shark bycatch in India’s trawl fisheries in a programme that he sees having the potential to be implemented in other parts of the world.
Read the storyLara Muaves became passionate about the ocean when she was only 10 years old. As a senior marine officer at WWF-Mozambique, she works closely with coastal communities every day: “Community-led conservation is the best approach to achieve sustainable, impactful and direct results that benefit both nature and people.” Lara has experienced it first-hand while piloting octopus fisheries closures in Cabo Delgado with communities, a model that shows real potential to be applied at national and even regional scale.
Read the storyMiguel is a dive instructor and president of the Armação de Pêra's fishermen association, he sees the importance of protecting and preserving our oceans and works to instigate positive changes in his local coastline and community.
Read the storyAriana Freire (23) grew up on the Galapagos Islands and shares this biodiverse place with tourists in her work as a naturalist guide. Her passion for nature makes that she initiates beach clean-ups with tourists and studies environmental administration to contribute to healthier oceans.
Read the storyHartono is a traditional fisherman who lives on the ocean. Wanting to alter the negative changes he notices in the ocean, he is part of the Ranger Partner community and leader of sustainable fishinggroup Sanggeh Kami.
Read the storyKalani Quiocho is a native son of Hawaiʻi. He is a descendent of these islands and feels a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to elevate the knowledge systems and environmental ethics of indigenous people for the benefit of humanity and the world.
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Hermany Manahadraza was born and raised in the coastal village of Anakao in southwest Madagascar and the ocean has always been a large part of his life. Hermany is now also the president of Madagascar’s network of Locally Managed Marine Areas.
Read the storyRoziah Jalalid lives on Omadal Island, Borneo, Malaysia. She’s mother of two and also Chairperson of The Women’s Association of Omadal Island (WAPO).
Read the storyEmanuel is the president of the Berlengas’s Barnacle Fishermen Association. Together with WWF he works closely to create a better future for the oceans.
Read the storyRindah Melsen lives on the Solomon Islands and she’s the president of the Nusatuva Women’s Saving Club.
Read the storyDaniel Andrade, a born and raised maragogipano, grew up witnessing the changes in local fishing and the transformation of the mangroves. He became a Rare Fellow in December 2014.
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