This wasn’t about convincing people – it was their will. We do not impose ideas; we incubate community initiatives.
Sacramento Cabral, ORMORM enlisted scientists to validate what the community has always known: No-take zones work. They documented evidence of fish stock recovery, and species return in the areas the community had set aside, adding to countless records that show blending traditional knowledge with science is an effective approach to conserving nature. The bridge they built between fishers, researchers from Eduardo Mondlane University, and government bodies ensured the Watchers’ wisdom was recognized as a legitimate conservation tool. The partnership is perhaps ORM’s proudest achievement.
"We understand that in most parts of the world, it is very difficult to have communities working together with NGOs, academia, and the government. But we have proven that it can work. The government saw that these small, community-driven marine-protected areas were working and realized they didn’t have to invest a lot of money in enforcement. The communities were already doing the work."
Since then, ORM has worked with partners to strengthen marine conservation in Inhambane Bay. Interest quickly spread to neighboring areas, resulting in collaboration with more villages that wanted to implement similar conservation measures. They have established 12 no-take zones that span 3,000 hectares and allowed fish stocks to naturally recover and migrate into nearby areas, creating a spillover effect for other fishing communities. Their approach has had a profound impact on biodiversity, with key species like sea turtles, dugongs, and whale sharks, as well as artisanal fisheries species returning to the once-degraded marine ecosystems.
The organization, led by four passionate young Mozambicans, has supported community-led seagrass and mangrove restoration projects, covering, in total, over 5,000 hectares and creating vital nurseries for fish, sharks, rays, and crustaceans. Their work has habitat, livelihood, and climate benefits, too: Mangrove regeneration has helped mitigate storm surges, reduce the impact of coastal erosion, and safeguard local livelihoods, while seagrass beds, critical for carbon sequestration, now thrive. ORM’s conservation efforts are deeply intertwined with the well-being of people, ensuring that preserving the environment also means preserving a way of life.
Although they have made great strides to conserve the marine environment, growing populations and scarce resources mean many young people in Imhanbane Bay still face an uncertain future. Those who carry on the legacy of fishing are sometimes forced to venture into the dangerous deep sea, and others turn to illegal and harmful means to survive.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Sacramento explained, ORM went back to local people. "We sat with the community and discussed what activities they could develop beyond fishing. Many young people showed interest in non-marine careers, and now we have trained over 180 individuals successfully working as plumbers, mechanics, and even in agriculture."
These new career paths help ensure that conservation efforts support economic stability. ORM’s vocational training scholarships have helped young people become boat mechanics and skippers, helping them find jobs in ecotourism and bolstering the sustainable fishing industry to reduce pressure on overfished waters. Others are trained in plumbing, sewing, and small-scale farming, helping them diversify their income sources and become less reliant on unpredictable fishing seasons.
Luísa, the daughter of a fisherman, received training as part of ORM’s program and gained skills as an auto electrician, a male-dominated profession. She now works in a mechanic shop in Maxixe, inspiring other young women to pursue skilled trades.
Beyond these livelihood measures, ORM’s programs also enhance food security and strengthen household stability. Greenhouse farming and small livestock businesses help families reduce overdependence on increasingly scarce fish stocks while providing diversified income. These initiatives ease pressure on the ocean, preventing overfishing while fostering financial resilience within the community.
ORM’s success in community-driven conservation has not come without challenges, and financial sustainability remains one of its biggest hurdles. They have been forced to scale down some of their interventions. However, they continue to run essential programs: fisheries management, patrol support, and ecosystem restoration on a limited basis. The organization’s leaders are cautious about where and how they receive funding, even preferring to forgo pay and work voluntarily until they can find the right financing. “We don’t want partners who come in with their ideas and tell us what we need to do,” Sacramento explained. “We need those who appreciate and support the solutions that come from the community.”
ORM is now investing in improving its impact communications to effectively showcase its results to potential donors and stakeholders and secure long-term financial support. “We have been influencing a lot at the ground level, but we need to share more,” he emphasized. “We want the world to understand what we are doing and why it matters.”
"Local people have always protected nature. If we listen to them, support them, and trust them, they will lead the way…This is how we see the future. We want to go across the country, not just being here in Inhambane Province, but also scaling up our work to different provinces."
Local people have always protected nature. If we listen to them, support them, and trust them, they will lead the way…This is how we see the future. We want to go across the country, not just being here in Inhambane Province, but also scaling up our work to different provinces.
Sacramento Cabral, ORMLooking ahead, Sacramento believes ORM’s future is centered on sustainability and community independence. He envisions a time when local people can manage marine resources independently, without relying on ORM or external NGOs. ORM will work with Maliasili for the next four years to strengthen the organization, investing in strategy, communications, and fundraising to amplify its impact and scale its model. But while ORM has seen great success in Inhambane Bay, Sacramento is cautious about expanding too quickly. “We have a story to tell here, but it’s not finished yet,” he says.
Luciano’s plea has been answered, as evidenced by the once-bountiful ocean and its thriving caretakers. The Watchers have returned, but now in a new form: a collective of community conservationists, ORM leaders, and the next generation protecting Inhambane Bay.
