Objective 1. To identify at least 20 potential villages at three sites (Grande Comore, Mohéli and Anjouan) for socio-economic assessments and monitoring programs and conduct assessments and monitoring at these villages.

Through evaluation of secondary data, five villages were selected at each site, a total of 15 villages.  Following consultation with CORDIO-EA, it was deemed a better strategy to collect more data from fewer villages to maximize data quality and the validity of management recommendations that could be drawn.

We aimed for a sample size of 60 household surveys per village and ultimately conducted 825 household surveys and 90 Key Informant interviews.  Data collection was slowed by serious military unrest in Anjouan during early 2008 which led to the granting of a one-year extension.  Surveys in Nioumachoua, Moheli, were also delayed until January 2010 because of a change in management of Moheli Marine Park.

Surveys were conducted with the implicit assistance of local partners including non-governmental organizations, villages associations and youth groups; University of the Comoros, Action Comores, HTC Anjouan, Hoani Uni Pour la Proteccion de l’Environnement (HUPPE) and Junior Ecoguards.

 

Objective 2. To train students and participants from local partner organizations in SocMon techniques to ensure sustainability

A training workshop was conducted in collaboration with CORDIO-EA in June 2008 and all enumerators were given thorough refresher training before conducting fieldwork.  Maoulida Kamal and Al yas aa Ben Ahmed were involved in managing and training enumerators on all islands and are now able to act as SocMon trainers for the Comoros. Mouzidalifa Youssouf Bounou is also an experienced SocMon enumerator and is able to manage the SocMon team for Moheli.

 

Objective 3. To initiate plans for a network of community-managed coral reef protected areas for the Comoros.

Although the project period coincided with a time of serious political upheaval and unrest in the Comoros, we have been able to involve government partners throughout, providing them with regular project updates.  The recent formation of a National Coastal Zone Management Committee has been particularly timely and talks are underway to ensure the inclusion of SocMon findings in the upcoming Coastal Zone Management Plan.  From this work, we have identified priority sites to focus future work including Mitsamiouli on Grande Comore, Hoani on Moheli and Bimbini on Anjouan.  SocMon surveys are planned for Hoani in 2011 so this site, an important nesting ground for green turtles can be monitored long-term.  We are currently seeking funding to continue SocMon monitoring at Mitsamiouli and Bimbini.  Results of the survey were fedback to the communities involved, and were positively received.

 

Objective 4. To contribute to the ReefBase Global Socio-economic database

All quantitative data collected during this project have been entered into the standard format as advised by CORDIO-EA and have been submitted to the SocMon Global Database.