Aqua-Farms Organization (AFO) is excited to announce the expansion of its ocean conservation and livelihood support initiatives into two new seascapes: Mafia and Tanga. This marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to support coastal communities and protect vital marine ecosystems.
With the establishment of new offices in these regions, AFO will be able to provide consistent, on-the-ground support to communities on a daily basis. This proximity enables us to be more responsive to local needs, offering tailored solutions that empower people to engage in sustainable ocean resource management while improving their livelihoods.
Enhancing Our Impact
This expansion also reflects a major leap in the scale of AFO’s conservation efforts. The total area under our ocean conservation programs has increased dramatically from 458 hectares to 11,000 hectares. Additionally, the number of Collaborative Fisheries Management Areas (CFMAs) we work with has grown from 6 to 12. Despite this progress, there is much more work to be done. The Mafia and Tanga seascapes alone consist of over XX CFMAs, spanning thousands of hectares of ocean that are in need of conservation interventions. Our expansion is just the beginning, and the need for comprehensive, sustainable marine resource management continues to be a critical priority.
Partnerships Powering Our Expansion
The success of our efforts in these new regions would not be possible without the support of several key partners. We are grateful for the continued backing from:
– Segal Family Foundation
– Sall Family Foundation
– Maliasili
– USAID, through the Respect the Ocean project
– Convergence, under the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI)
– Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), with support from UK Blue Planet and Global Affairs Canada
Their support has been instrumental in allowing AFO to scale up our programs and enhance the resilience of coastal communities while protecting the rich biodiversity of these important seascapes.
As we continue to grow, we remain committed to expanding our ocean conservation footprint and deepening our impact in communities that rely on healthy marine ecosystems. The future holds even greater potential for building sustainable livelihoods while safeguarding our oceans for generations to come.