TANGA: THE East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project has reaffirmed its commitment to minimising the impact of construction of a 2-kilometre-long jetty in local fishing communities.
According to EACOP Communications Officer, Abbas Abraham, the EACOP is determined to ensure that the construction of the jetty, designed for tanker mooring with sufficient water depth, has the least possible impact on those who rely on the sea for their livelihoods.
Mr Abraham shared the information with members of the Tanga Press Club during a recent workshop in Tanga City.
He disclosed that the EACOP has signed a contract with the Mwambao Coastal Community Network for a five-year initiative focused on biodiversity offset and livelihood support.
The project, titled ‘Biodiversity Offsetting and Livelihood Restoration for Communities of the Mchomapunda Community Fisheries Management Area’, seeks to promote sustainable practices and resilience in the coastal communities it serves.
“The contract between EACOP and Mwambao was signed in March, this year,” he explained during his presentation.
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He, however, clarified the project has not yet imposed a fishing ban in the area, but has developed transitional support for fishermen in the same way that it is helping other affected individuals.
“We have identified the fishermen and prepared a support package for them, which includes half of the food ration provided to those whose land was taken.
This is because fishermen can move to other parts of the sea, whereas farmers are tied to a specific piece of land,” he explained. Mr Abraham emphasised that EACOP’s mission is centered on sustainable development, as well as a commitment to zero harm to people, the environment and communities.
Established in 2010, the Mwambao Coastal Community Network assists Tanzanian coastal communities in developing effective local resource management systems to support livelihoods and marine ecosystems.
Mwambao takes a humanrights approach, empowering local communities and facilitating mutual learning via a community-based network. According to Mwambao, the project’s goals are to improve livelihoods, increase climate change resilience and restore ecosystems.
The initiative expects to improve sustainable community-led marine co-management in five communities in Tanga’s Mchomapunda CFMA by 2027.
The pressure on marine resources continues to rise. Even with conservation and fisheries management measures in place, business-as-usual approaches are frequently insufficient to significantly increase household income, according to network data.
The report also identified opportunities for improving the value chain and value-addition enterprises to increase the incomes of those who rely on fish and other marine products.
Mwambao has emerged as a leader in community-based marine management in Zanzibar and north-eastern Tanzania, working with key international partners.
Its team has grown significantly in recent years, with more funding, a wider geographic reach and a variety of approaches.