ECOFISH Programme

15/09/2025

📸 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦
After six years of operation, the ECOFISH programme—funded by the European Union and implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in collaboration with its regional partners—came to a close with a Closing Forum in Belle Mare, Mauritius.
🌍 A landmark event that brought together regional, national, and community actors to celebrate achievements, share lessons learned, and outline the way forward for sustainable and prosperous fisheries in the EA-SA-IO region.
✨ Here are the highlights of this event in pictures!

EU in Mauritius Commission de l'océan Indien - Indian Ocean Commission UNDP-Mauritius Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) IGAD Secretariat SADC Lake Tanganyika Authority Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation - LVFO WWF-Kenya ADPP Mozambique ActionAid SOS SAHEL C3 Madagascar - Conservation Centrée sur la Communauté Mwambao Coastal Community Network Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) East African Community DT Global Ministère de la Pêche et de l'Economie Bleue

15/09/2025

📸 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐥ô𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐮 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇
Après 6 années d’action, le programme ECOFISH, financé par l’Union européenne et mis en œuvre par la Commission de l’océan Indien (COI) avec ses partenaires régionaux, a tiré sa révérence lors d’un Forum de clôture à Belle Mare (Maurice).
🌍 Un moment fort qui a réuni acteurs régionaux, nationaux et communautaires pour célébrer les acquis, partager les leçons apprises et tracer les perspectives pour une pêche durable et prospère dans la région EA-SA-IO.
✨ Découvrez en images les temps forts de cet événement !

EU in Mauritius Commission de l'océan Indien - Indian Ocean Commission Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) UNDP-Mauritius IGAD Secretariat SADC Lake Tanganyika Authority Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation - LVFO WWF-Kenya ActionAid ADPP Mozambique SOS SAHEL C3 Madagascar - Conservation Centrée sur la Communauté Ministère de la Pêche et de l'Economie Bleue Mwambao Coastal Community Network Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) DT Global East African Community

11/09/2025

As the E€OFISH programme comes to an end on Friday, 12 September 2025, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our stakeholders – the European Union; the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the Regional Economic Communities (COMESA, EAC, IGAD and SADC), as well as LVFO and LTA, our implementation partners; along with the technical partners (Incatema), Member States, experts, media, service providers, beneficiaries and fishing communities.

Thanks to your commitment and collaboration, E€OFISH has delivered on its objectives and leaves behind a 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 in our region.
This success belongs to you. Thank you for your trust, your dedication, and your contribution throughout this journey.
𝗘€𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗱 – 𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
It lives on through ownership, its knowledge legacy, and above all, its unwavering commitment to sustainability.
- - - - -
Alors que le programme E€OFISH arrive à son terme le vendredi 12 septembre 2025, nous souhaitons exprimer, avec une grande émotion, notre profonde gratitude à l’ensemble de nos parties prenantes – l’Union européenne ; la Commission de l’océan Indien (COI), les Communautés économiques régionales (COMESA, EAC, IGAD et SADC), la LVFO et la LTA, partenaires de mise en œuvre ; ainsi qu’aux partenaires techniques (Incameta), États membres, aux experts, médias, prestataires de services, aux bénéficiaires et aux communautés de pêche.

Grâce à votre engagement et à votre collaboration, E€OFISH a atteint ses objectifs et laisse derrière lui un 𝐡𝐞́𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚 𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞̂𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐭 𝐥’𝐞́𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐮𝐞 dans notre région.
Ce succès est le vôtre. Merci pour votre confiance, votre dévouement et votre contribution tout au long de ce parcours.
𝗘€𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗻𝗲 𝘀’𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲̀𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀 – 𝗶𝗹 𝗲́𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗲.
Il vit encore à travers l’appropriation, son patrimoine de connaissances et, surtout, son engagement indéfectible en faveur de la durabilité.

EU in Mauritius Commission de l'océan Indien - Indian Ocean Commission UNDP-Mauritius Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) IGAD Secretariat SADC Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation - LVFO Lake Tanganyika Authority WWF-Kenya ADPP Mozambique ActionAid SOS SAHEL C3 Madagascar - Conservation Centrée sur la Communauté Ministère de la Pêche et de l'Economie Bleue Mwambao Coastal Community Network Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) East African Community DT Global

09/09/2025

Nouvel Appel à Propositions : Renforcer les capacités des organisations de la société civile de la République de Maurice et de la République des Seychelles

Souhaitez-vous mettre en œuvre des initiatives en République de Maurice ou aux Seychelles dans les domaines prioritaires suivants :

• Priorité 1 : Lutte contre la toxicomanie et prévention de celle-ci, en particulier auprès des groupes vulnérables tels que les enfants, les jeunes et les femmes.

• Priorité 2 : Lutte contre la violence et les abus envers les femmes et les enfants.

• Priorité 3 : Lutte contre l’érosion côtière et la perte de biodiversité.

Des subventions sont disponibles pour les organisations de la société civile dans le cadre d’un nouvel appel à propositions lancé par l’Union européenne 🇪🇺.

Tous les détails de cet appel à propositions sont accessibles via le lien suivant (Référence 184705) :
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/prospect-details/184705PROSPECTSEN

⏰Date limite de soumission des notes conceptuelles : 21/10/2025 à 12 h (heure de Bruxelles)

08/09/2025

26/02/2025

20/12/2024

🌊✨ Season's Greetings and Best Wishes from the ECOFISH Programme! ✨🌊

As the year comes to a close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners, stakeholders, and communities who have contributed to making 2024 a remarkable year for sustainable fisheries in the Indian Ocean and African regions.

Together, we have taken strides toward preserving our marine ecosystems, empowering coastal communities, and building a brighter future for the generations to come.

May the festive season bring joy, warmth, and renewal as we prepare to navigate new waters in the year ahead. 🌟

11/12/2024

🔵 ECOFISH: Empowering Lives Across Africa 🌍

ECOFISH is more than sustainable fisheries—it’s about people. There are thousands of Jesica, Felizardo, and Mbomitary across Africa, embodying the life-changing potential of the programme.

Their stories show how collaboration, innovation, and community-led actions are shaping a brighter future for African fisheries and the people who depend on them.

✨ Explore these inspiring stories here: https://ecofish-programme.org/category/stories/


Commission de l'océan Indien - Indian Ocean Commission EU in Mauritius WWF-Kenya ADPP Mozambique C3 Madagascar - Conservation Centrée sur la Communauté

05/12/2024

🌊 How can we effectively address the mounting challenges facing small-scale fisheries?

Collaboration is the key to sustainability. Non-State Actors (NSAs) such as NGOs, fisher associations, and community groups play a crucial role in addressing issues like overfishing, limited infrastructure, and market access.

This week, the ECOFISH Programme is hosting a validation workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, bringing together 8 countries from the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO) region to:

✅ Validate findings on the role of NSAs in sustainable fisheries management,
✅ Strengthen partnerships between NSAs and governments, and
✅ Lay the groundwork for a regional NSA platform to drive long-term collaboration.

💬 What strategies do you think can best strengthen partnerships to empower small-scale fisheries? Share your ideas!

Commission de l'océan Indien - Indian Ocean Commission EU in Mauritius

03/12/2024

🌍 Did you know? Across the region, fishery resources are often underutilized, with some countries exploiting less than 50% of their potential. For instance, in Madagascar alone, 130,447 tonnes of fishery products were recorded in 2023—highlighting both opportunities and challenges in sustainable fisheries management.

📊 Reliable data is the key to change. ECOFISH is conducting a series of workshops across the region to empower national fishery observers with practical skills. The ongoing workshop in Toamasina, Madagascar, is equipping observers from Comoros and Madagascar to gather critical data on fish captures, bycatch, and marine interactions—essential for sustainable management.

👩‍💻👨‍💻 Fishery observers play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of fisheries in the Indian Ocean region, helping to protect biodiversity and secure livelihoods for fishing communities.

💬 What other solutions do you think are essential for better managing fisheries across the region? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️

EU in Mauritius Commission de l'océan Indien - Indian Ocean Commission

27/11/2024

🌊 How ECOFISH Supports Sustainable Fisheries in Africa 🌍

Our oceans hold immense potential, and ECOFISH is working tirelessly to ✅Understand, ✅Protect and ✅Exploit underwater resources.

Explore how we’re transforming the fisheries sector! 🐟✨

Commission de l'océan Indien - Indian Ocean Commission EU in Mauritius

18/11/2024

🌊🐟 How Can We Fill Africa’s Fisheries Gap? 🌍

With Africa’s population projected to surge to 1.7 billion by 2030 and 2.5 billion by 2050, meeting the continent’s seafood demands sustainably is more crucial than ever. Currently, marine production in Africa stands at 7 million tonnes, but projections show a significant gap, requiring 13 million tonnes by 2030 and 19 million by 2050 to maintain today’s per capita consumption.

At the programme, we are committed to addressing these future needs by advocating for sustainable resource management. Our ongoing validation workshop in Madagascar is a prime example of our work in action. Here, we are presenting the findings of an assessment report on the economic and financial contribution of the small-scale fisheries sector. These critical data will empower Malagasy stakeholders to make informed, strategic decisions for a more and productive fisheries sector, aligning with long-term national and regional goals.

We must shift our focus from short-term revenue generation to long-term ecosystem capacity enhancement. Only then can we close the production gap and safeguard Africa’s marine resources for generations to come.

🔍 What strategies do you think are crucial for ensuring sustainable fisheries in Africa? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Ministère de la Pêche et de l'Economie Bleue Commission de l'océan Indien - Indian Ocean Commission EU in Mauritius