International Opportunities

Tanzanian Coastal Communications Network

Sand County Foundation (Tanzania) is supporting the formation of a coastal community network, linking fishers with other fishers and coastal managers along Tanzania’s 800 km coastline. The Foundation aims to promote sustainable management practices by exploring current livelihood challenges and the innovations and coping strategies that have been adopted by coastal villagers.

The Tanzanian coast borders the Indian Ocean between Kenya and Mozambique in East Africa. Sheltered by a breakwater reef, it is a biodiverse tapestry of islands, coral reefs, mangrove forests, sea grass beds, estuaries and sand beaches.   More than 8 million people depend on the ecosystem services of this coast and 75% of total household income is derived from sale and trade of marine and coastal products (GEF 2004). 

Coastal resources have been subject to increasing pressures from an expanding population.  Overfishing is a result of an open-access regime with underlying poverty and few livelihood options. The Tanzanian Government has responded with a progressive co-management strategy but uptake is very limited as yet. Dynamite fishing, use of destructive fishing gear, offshore oil and gas exploration, imposed developments, pollution and siltation all threaten ecosystem health and resilience. In addition, reefs have been highly impacted by the climate change-induced coral bleaching of 1998 and impending sea level rise threatens increased coastal erosion.

The SCF coastal communications network, initiated in October 2010, is exploring village resilience strategies and co-management uptake, using participatory video.  Villagers are trained in the skills of using cameras, tripods and microphones, planning a storyboard,  interviewing, filming and editing. In this way they explore the issues and document their own stories.

The village of Kigombe on the northern coast has produced two films (see films below) about natural resource management and their achievements in response to the challenges faced. These short 12-minute films can be seen on the links below. Films produced in this way will be shared with other villages and coastal stakeholders to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas.

To supplement production of coastal videos, the network will pilot a regular coastal radio show with a local radio station in 2011, where information can be broadcast, views exchanged and discussions held, regarding coastal management issues.

COMMUNITY PRODUCED FILMS

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