The 2nd Edition of the Marine Biodiversity Conference, held on June 17 and 18, 2024, in Nacala-Porto, was a great success, bringing together a total of 510 in-person participants and more than 6,000 online participants over the two days of the event. Organized by BIOFUND in collaboration with the Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries and several national and international partners, the event highlighted the importance of conserving Mozambique’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
Published at 21/06/2024
2nd Edition of the Marine Biodiversity Conference Brings Together Over 6,000 Participants and Announces Next Edition in Beira
- Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: The conference emphasized the need for decentralization, integrated approaches, and the promotion of new sustainable fishing techniques. The importance of involving local communities in marine resource management and educating school-aged children on environmental preservation were also central themes.
- Marine Conservation Areas: Discussions focused on challenges related to resource use in protected areas, expanding protected area boundaries, and the need for greater funding for marine invertebrate conservation projects, which have been less prioritized compared to larger species.
- Coastal and Marine Biodiversity: The importance of publicly disseminating research data and conservation reports was highlighted to ensure sharing, transparency, and greater awareness of conservation efforts.
The Minister of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Lídia Cardoso, stressed the need for clear and effective communication for implementing conservation measures and underscored the vital role of sustainable fishing practices. The Chairperson of the BIOFUND Board, Dr. Narciso Matos, reaffirmed BIOFUND’s commitment to resource mobilization and biodiversity conservation management. Alexandra Jorge, BIOFUND’s Director of Programmes, emphasized the importance of integrating research themes into these debate platforms, as the results form the basis for management and strategic decision-making, as well as involving children in conservation initiatives.
The event provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, presentation of innovative research, and strengthening of collaboration networks among participants.
The conference was made possible through the generous support and engagement of numerous partners and donors.
Among the organizers were the Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MIMAIP), the Oceanographic Institute of Mozambique (InOM), the Museums of the Sea, the Natural History Museum, the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Eduardo Mondlane University, Lúrio University, Likhulu Foundation, the Nacala Institute of Health Sciences, the Repensar Environmental Education Cooperative, the Mulala Marine Sanctuary, and the Oikos Institute.
The donors included the Blue Action Fund (BAF), the Government of Sweden, the World Bank through the MozBio 2 Project, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and the Nairobi Convention, German Cooperation through GIZ, Peace Parks Foundation (PPF), Italian Cooperation, RARE, ADRA, IDEA Global through USAID, the UK Blue Planet Fund, the Embassy of Portugal, the European Union through the PROMOVE Biodiversity Programme, WIOMSA, BCI, NEDBANK, and MOZA.
The 2nd Edition of the Marine Biodiversity Conference concluded with the announcement of the location for the next edition, which will be held in 2025 in the city of Beira, Sofala Province. This decision aims to expand the reach of the event and continue promoting the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems in different regions of the country.
This conference was a unique opportunity to join efforts and discuss effective strategies for protecting Mozambique’s marine biodiversity. The recommendations and connections established during the event are expected to inspire concrete and lasting actions, ensuring a more sustainable future for marine and coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
The exhibition and environmental education activities integrated into the event remain open to the public until June 23 at the Nacala-Porto Institute of Health Sciences.
To learn more, visit our page for the 2nd Edition of the Marine Biodiversity Conference: https://www.biofund.org.mz/projects/conferencia-da-biodiversidade-marinha/.
