Communities take charge of ocean health.

Coastal communities’ food and livelihoods – their very survival – are inextricably linked to the health of the ocean. Despite their importance to the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, communities continue to be overlooked in critical decision making. But where local people actively participate in the management of coastal resources, this management has been shown to be significantly more effective.

Ocean health and community well-being are two sides of the same coin – they cannot be separated. 

Coastal communities and small-scale fishers have served as traditional stewards of coastal ecosystems for hundreds of years. Well managed small-scale fisheries can help address many challenges, from overfishing and habitat loss, to poverty and hunger. 

Despite the importance of coastal resources to societies around the world, the contributions of coastal communities and small-scale fishers are still undervalued, underreported, and consequently overlooked in fisheries policy. 

WWF and our partners have decades of experience demonstrating successful community-led projects to sustainably manage coastal and marine resources. Worldwide, WWF works with more than 1,000 coastal communities to create lasting solutions that benefit people and nature. 

Through our Coastal Communities Initiative, we are building a global movement that can accelerate the implementation of successful coastal community-led conservation at the necessary scale. 

Coastal Communities Initiative

Accelerating the Pace of Change

WWF and partners are working to amplify and accelerate the uptake of locally led solutions. The Coastal Communities Initiative, an international network of fishers, community associations and local authorities, is working to:

• Expand solutions to 200 new communities across priority seascapes
• Advocate policies that recognize communities’ role in the management of coastal resources and unlock funding
• Create partnerships and learning hubs to enhance local knowledge and build expertise that stays in the community