Safeguarding Our Seas: Establishing Community Patrols in Vanga
Mwinyi Hassan Mohamed is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Vanga Seagrass Project. He has recently worked with the communities of Vanga Bay and the local Beach Management Units (BMUs) to establish regular patrols within the 225ha seagrass locally managed marine area (LMMA). He has written this blog to share his thoughts and expertise on the process.
Introduction – World Fisheries Day
Every year on World Fisheries Day, communities across the globe come together to recognize the immense value of our oceans and the people whose lives depend on them. The purpose of this day is clear and urgent: to highlight the importance of sustainable fish stocks, to strengthen human rights for small-scale fishing communities, and to improve the working conditions of those who work tirelessly on our waters.
For the Vanga Seagrass Project in Vanga Bay, on the southern coast of Kenya, these values are lived out daily. At the heart of the project, spanning a 225-hectare Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA), are community-led patrols that safeguard the seagrass meadows, protect fisheries, and uplift the people of Vanga.
Why Patrols Matter in the Vanga LMMA
Seagrass habitats are nurseries for countless fish species, offering shelter and food that support local fisheries. But without proper protection, destructive practices such as illegal fishing gear, encroachment, and habitat disturbance can rapidly degrade the ecosystem. To address this, in summer of 2025, the Vanga Seagrass Project established dedicated patrol teams from the community, composed of local fishers—men and women who understand both the ocean and the needs of the community. These patrols serve three interconnected goals which I have listed below:
Goal 1: Strengthening Sustainable Fish Stocks
Through routine surveillance, the patrol teams ensure that the LMMA remains a safe haven for marine life. By monitoring fishing activities, preventing illegal gear use, and protecting breeding grounds, they help ensure that fish populations can recover and replenish naturally.
Healthy seagrass = healthy fisheries.
Healthy fisheries = long-term food security and stable livelihoods.
This work directly supports one of the central messages of World Fisheries Day: protecting the resource so it can continue to sustain future generations. – Mwinyi Hassan Mohamed
Goal 2: Upholding the Rights of Small-Scale Fishers
Small-scale fishers form the backbone of Vanga’s coastal economy. Yet, they often face challenges that threaten both their livelihoods and dignity—competition from trawlers, unfair practices, and degraded marine ecosystems. The patrol system empowers local fishers to take part in governing their own resources. By participating directly in marine protection, community members gain:
– A stronger voice in decision-making
– Improved recognition of their rights Greater control over the sustainability of their fisheries
This aligns deeply with this year’s World Fisheries Day theme: ensuring that small-scale fishing communities are not only recognized, but respected and protected.
Goal 3: Improving Working Conditions and Community Resilience
Fishing is demanding work—physically, emotionally, and economically. Unpredictable catches, harmful fishing practices, and environmental decline increase the hardship for many. Patrols help improve conditions by creating:
– Safer fishing environments, free from destructive gear
– More predictable fish stocks, enabling financial stability
– Stronger community bonds, as members collaborate toward shared goals
– Livelihood improvement, made possible through the sale of biodiversity credits with the
income channeled to community projects
Through training sessions, safety protocols, and the creation of alternative income opportunities tied to conservation, the project strengthens resilience and capacity builds in a changing climate.
The Outcome
The Vanga Seagrass Project demonstrates that when local communities are at the heart of marine protection, both people and nature thrive. Patrolling the 225ha LMMA is more than a conservation activity. It is an investment in human rights, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. It shows what is possible when grassroots action aligns with global goals.
On this World Fisheries Day, we celebrate the courage, commitment, and vision of the Vanga Bay community. Their work is a powerful testament to the idea that sustainable fisheries start with empowered people.
