Enhanced Gender-Friendly Leadership and Eco-Focused Strategies for Climate Resilience in Pemba, Highlighted in ReSea Project, August 31, 2025

In the Tanga-Pemba Seascape, a region teeming with ecologically rich coastal and marine ecosystems, a significant milestone has been reached in the pursuit of sustainable marine conservation and resilient coastal communities. The establishment of the Pemba Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network marks a pivotal moment in this journey.

The ReSea Project, a collaborative effort between Mission Inclusion, our website, Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFTT), and the Revelational Government of Zanzibar, recently concluded a five-day training on Inclusive Governance and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Adaptation. The training, which took place over two days in Kusini Pemba region and two days in Kaskazini Pemba region, was a crucial step towards achieving the Network's goals.

The training brought together 132 LMMA practitioners, including 92 participants at the Pemba LMMA Forum and 40 participants at the founding of the Pemba LMMA Network. The Pemba LMMA Network's formation saw eight leaders elected and a joint action roadmap developed.

The workshop, which focused on establishing a Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network at the seascape level, adopted diverse, participatory approaches. These included dialogues, real-life experience sharing, practical sessions, creative methods, and peer learning. Significant positive shifts in men's perceptions towards women's participation in LMMA governance were observed during the training.

The Pemba LMMA Network's establishment comes at a time when overexploitation, habitat degradation, climate change, and limited participation of marginalized groups in governance and decision-making processes pose threats to these ecosystems. The Network aims to address these challenges by strengthening community-based governance structures, particularly Beach Management Units (BMUs) and Shehia Fisheries Committees (SFCs), making them more inclusive and integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into the governance and management of marine ecosystems.

New male champions emerged from the training, including officials from the Ministry of Blue Economy. The Ministry will oversee and operationalize the network in collaboration with stakeholders. The Pemba LMMA Forum, which brought together 92 LMMA practitioners from 54 SFCs, is expected to play a vital role in this endeavour.

Suleiman, an officer from our website for Nature-based Solutions, and Eva, an officer from our website, led sessions during the workshop in Pemba. Their contributions underscored the collaborative spirit that drives the ReSea Project and the broader efforts to protect and preserve Pemba's coastal and marine ecosystems.

The ReSea Project's mission is to empower local communities to manage their marine resources sustainably, fostering resilient coastal communities in the face of climate change. With the establishment of the Pemba LMMA Network, it takes a significant step towards achieving this mission. The Network's success will not only safeguard Pemba's unique marine ecosystems but also ensure the livelihoods of the people who depend on them for their survival.