Strengthening gender equality in octopus fisheries

Enhancing the value chain for small-scale octopus fisheries

KENYA: A workshop aimed at strengthening gender dimensions, climate change, and environmental considerations in regional value chains for small-scale octopus fisheries drew participation from Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Comoros at the beginning of the month.

The workshop was organised by the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), with the support of the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), under the project “Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in the Africa Blue Economy.”

With representatives from government, small-scale fishers and fish workers, women’s groups, non-state actors, academic and research institutions, and regional policy experts, the objective was to validate findings from a regional study conducted by Prof Bernard Fulanda of Pwani University, which assessed the current state of the octopus fisheries value chain and proposed mechanisms to enhance gender inclusion, climate resilience, and sustainability across the sector.

Small-scale octopus fisheries offer a lifeline for many coastal communities in the region. Women are actively engaged across multiple stages of the value chain, but their contributions remain largely under-recognised in formal governance structures and policy-making spaces.

Presenting his key findings, Fulanda noted that field assessments highlighted that there was a tendency for systematic exclusion of women from co-management structures and that inadequate infrastructure resulted in unequal access to markets – particularly for women and small-scale fishers.

The opening session was led by Madam Francisca Mhuriro, representing the Director of AU-IBAR, who highlighted the workshop’s focus on the sustainable development of the blue economy, in alignment with AU Agenda 2063 and the Africa Blue Economy Strategy. She stressed the importance of gender equality and environmental sustainability in fisheries, particularly in octopus fisheries, which play a vital role in the livelihoods of coastal communities.

In his opening statement, Collins Ndoro Kambu, Deputy Director of Fisheries at the Kenya Fisheries Service, reiterated the significance of small-scale octopus fisheries for coastal livelihoods and economic growth, particularly for women. He emphasised the need for sustainable practices that balance economic benefits with resource conservation.

One of the workshop’s key outcomes was the formation of an Interim Committee to oversee the establishment of a regional network for small-scale octopus fishers in the WIO region. The new network, named the Western Indian Ocean Network for Small-Scale Octopus Fisheries (WION-SOF), aims to foster greater regional cooperation among countries, NGOs, universities, and technical institutions.

The interim committee was established with the following members (see Top picture):
•    Amina Ahmed (Kenya) – Chairperson
•    Mzee Ali Khamis Haji (Tanzania) – Secretary General
•    Nassima Said Mloza (Comoros) – Treasurer
•    Mme Marie Jeannette Rasata (Madagascar) – Vice Chair

This network will serve as a platform for knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and advocacy on issues related to gender equality and sustainable octopus fisheries management. In addition to promoting capacity building in the fishery, participants recommended the adoption of policy instruments at the AU level to support the sustainable development of small-scale octopus fisheries.

The Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop marked a significant milestone in strengthening the sustainability of small-scale octopus fisheries in the Western Indian Ocean region. The establishment of the WION-SOF network promises to enhance collaboration, promote gender-sensitive practices, and ensure the long-term sustainability of octopus fisheries for future generations.