Strengthening Ocean Protection in Comoros - R-POC

17/12/2025

“I want my students to learn scientific things about nature, and to protect my country.” — Chabani M’Madi

Protecting the ocean starts with education 🌊👨‍🎓

'Education for Restoration' is a short film from the Voice of the Comoros series that explores how ocean literacy is helping shape the future of marine protection in Comoros. As protected areas are established, building understanding, pride and care among local communities, especially young people, is essential. What is understood and cherished is far more likely to be protected.

The film highlights the R-POC programme’s work in local schools and communities, led by Houssama Attoumane, Warden of Parc National Mitsamiouli–Ndroudeas. It follows efforts to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards, alongside the park’s pioneering coral reef restoration project, the first of its kind in Comoros.

Home to vibrant coral reefs, diverse fish, crustaceans and molluscs, and visited by dolphins and whales, the marine park is a place worth protecting, now and for generations to come.

🎥 Watch Education for Restoration now on Nekton’s YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/B0gKTzqA-_4?si=rK6po1quBoxw1Ebz

10/12/2025

09/12/2025

What can the deep ocean tell us about the future of sharks in the Comoros?Come below the surface on the 'First Descent: Comoros' expedition. This hopeful fil...

25/11/2025

On the island of Anjouan in the Comoros, fishing communities have witnessed a steady decline in fish stocks and sharks.

Bouchourane Aoussidine is President of the National Fishers’ Union, and shares how management is key to rebuilding their fisheries. Filmed during the mission, his message highlights why local voices are essential to protecting marine ecosystems.

Watch the full Voice of Comoros: Fishing Communities of Anjouan film on YouTube to learn more about this community’s call for a sustainable future.

🎥 WATCH: https://youtu.be/EYA0va0OTco?si=Cyw1aSnK-gAC7mgO

20/11/2025

During the expedition team were pleased to welcome H.E. Abubakar Ben Mahmoud, Minister of Environment and Tourism of the Comoros, to visit the research vessel.

Mr Mahmoud joined the expedition team for an update on the mission’s progress, before travelling to Brazil, where he now joins other world leaders at COP30.

Mission partners: Kensington Tours, Wildoceanssa, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, Eastern Cape, CORDIO East Africa, Ocean Census, Strengthening Ocean Protection in Comoros - R-POC, ExeterMarine Laboratoire des Sciences Marines et Littorales

21/10/2025

20/10/2025

At the heart of is collaboration between Comorian and international scientists. We’re pleased to introduce Dr Nadjim Ahmed as Co-Chief Scientist of the expedition.

Nadjim is a marine biologist and a lecturer-researcher at the Faculty of Science and Technology at Université des Comores. On , he is leading a team of scientists from the University to explore the nation’s ocean biodiversity.

His specialism is in benthic communities and marine and coastal biodiversity and ecosystems.

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Wildoceanssa South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, Eastern Cape CORDIO East Africa Kensington Tours Laboratoire des Sciences Marines et Littorales

20/10/2025

Exciting updates from the expidition🚢!

16/10/2025

Hands up if you're mission ready! 🙌

We're so proud of the incredible talent on the mission. At the centre of the mission are Comorian scientists. Mission Co-Chief Scientist Dr Nadjim Ahmed Mohamed (University of Comoros) is supported by 17 Comorian researchers.

Alongside Nekton and mission partners, they're launching the nation’s first systematic exploration of its ocean, from the surface to 900m.

Follow the Mission: https://nektonmission.org/news/comoros-leads-new-era-of-ocean-exploration-with-first-deep-sea-mission/

🤝 Kensington Tours Wildoceanssa South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, Eastern Cape ExeterMarine Ocean Census Strengthening Ocean Protection in Comoros - R-POC

11/06/2025

Comoros Game-changing Pledge at UNOC-3!

Today, the Ministry of Comoros took a stand in front of a United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC-3) audience and confirmed the country's readiness to take swift action to support global marine conservation goals. Specifically, Comoros has pledged to implement the 30x30 target within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), committing to protect 30% of its oceans by designating approximately 50,000 km² as new marine protected areas (MPAs) over the next five years.

In addition, Comoros has signed and will move to ratify the historic Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the High Seas Treaty.

The Comoros ministry also stressed that the intensifying pressures of overfishing and climate change continue to be a concern; The High Seas Treaty represents a critical step toward protecting marine ecosystems upon which many nations, including Comoros, rely for food security and economic stability.