Phase V – Billfish Interactions, Livelihoods and Linkages for Fisheries sustainability in the Western Indian Ocean (BILLFISH – WIO)

The BILLFISH-WIO project, funded from 2019 to 2022, aimed to address the critical decline of billfish species in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change. The project sought to develop a sustainable management framework for these highly migratory fish through key objectives: assessing the historical and current status of billfish populations, examining their socio-economic contributions, investigating genetic structures of key species, and mapping their spatial and temporal distributions.  Collaboration across Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, and Tanzania facilitated crucial data collection from artisanal, recreational, and commercial fisheries. This involved significant engagement with local fishing communities, contributing invaluable insights that enriched the project’s outputs and enhanced awareness of marine resource stewardship. The project resulted in multiple scientific publications that illuminated resource conflicts, socio-economic dynamics, and environmental threats to marine biodiversity. A notable achievement of the BILLFISH-WIO project was the professional development of numerous students, including 4 Ph.D. candidates, 6 Master’s students, and 2 Bachelor’s graduates. These individuals received significant mentorship and hands-on research experiences in marine sciences, which are crucial for building local capacity in fisheries management. The project emphasized creating opportunities for students to actively participate in fieldwork, data collection, and analyses, ultimately shaping them into skilled professionals poised to impact the sustainable management of marine resources. Comprehensive analyses of billfish fisheries were carried out, involving extensive historical and current data collection. The project documented socio-economic interactions between recreational and artisanal fisheries, emphasizing the need to balance both sectors. Spatial and temporal distributions of various billfish species were mapped, providing essential information for informed management decisions. However, the project encountered challenges, including inconsistent data collection systems and difficulties in stakeholder engagement, which impeded comprehensive monitoring efforts. Navigating complex governance landscapes complicated effective management of shared fishery resources among diverse user groups, revealing systemic issues such as regulatory inadequacies and insufficient stakeholder participation. Despite these challenges, the project fostered partnerships among over 20 collaborators and organizations, enhancing community-oriented data collection practices. By integrating local knowledge with scientific inquiry, BILLFISH-WIO promoted sustainable practices among fishing communities and provided a model for future collaborative research efforts. Key findings from the project included the confirmation of a significant decline in billfish populations primarily driven by overfishing and habitat loss. This decline poses serious implications for biodiversity and marine ecosystem balance. The project highlighted the socio-economic importance of billfish fisheries to local communities, where many households rely on them for livelihoods. However, tensions were identified between recreational and artisanal fisheries due to competition for resources, underscoring the need for improved governance and stakeholder engagement. Genetic studies revealed important insights into the population dynamics of targeted billfish species, which are critical for effective management and conservation efforts. Mapping efforts identified critical habitats and migration patterns, essential for management decisions such as fishing seasons and area closures to protect spawning populations. Additionally, the project explored the impacts of climate change on billfish habitats and behavior, emphasizing the need for proactive management strategies to mitigate these threats. Community engagement significantly increased awareness and stewardship of billfish resources, fostering a sense of ownership among local fishermen. The project also focused on training local students and researchers, building capacity in marine sciences and fisheries management to prepare future generations for effective resource management. The findings culminated in several policy recommendations aimed at enhancing sustainable fisheries management, advocating for collaborative governance, the integration of scientific research with local knowledge, and the adoption of adaptive management approaches in response to changing conditions. Overall, the BILLFISH-WIO project underscores the urgent need for sustainable management practices that incorporate the ecological, social, and economic dimensions of billfish fisheries. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and leveraging local knowledge, the project lays the foundation for healthier marine ecosystems and more resilient communities that depend on these vital resources.