Project ReCon protects artisanal fishermen and brings a proven solution for marine debris to the Somali coastline, the longest in continental Africa, and a key area due to its geography, oceanographic conditions, and proximity to tropical tuna fishing areas.
Satlink
Satlink and the Marine Research and Coastal Development Center (MARCOD Center) have signed a collaboration agreement to reduce the impact of marine debris in Somalia.
MARCOD Center is a Somalia-based NGO focused on the sustainability of coastal communities, and together with Satlink, they have made Project ReCon possible, which is present in 24 countries and supported by over 150 vessels and 25 companies.
This initiative aims to recover end-of-life fishing technologies in Somalia and contribute to community resilience by enhancing the safety and wellbeing of artisanal fishers at sea.
"Marine debris and abandoned fishing gear pose a visible and growing challenge for our coastal communities. Project ReCon gives us access to technology to address these issues in a practical and sustainable way," explained Abdishakur Farah, co-founder and director of MARCOD Center.
Specifically, Satlink is prioritizing a circular economy approach for the reuse and recycling of end-of-life echosounder buoys, with this project being the first of its kind in Somalia.
Also, companies from all major fleets operating in the Indian Ocean will collaborate to repurpose the recovered devices into tracking or VMS tools for local fishing vessels operating in extreme environmental conditions. These devices will also support marine research and environmental monitoring, aligned with local needs and existing institutional frameworks.
Finally, MARCOD Center and Satlink will establish a central hub for the storage and recycling of any recovered fishing gear. The founding partner, Tangaroa Blue Foundation, will sell these components to generate additional revenue.
"In a coastal region as sensitive and challenging as Somalia, we cannot think of better partners to bring this project to life. Together, we are not only tackling marine debris and advancing fisheries sustainability, we are also building stronger coastal communities in the long term," Satlink Head of Science and Sustainability, Kathryn Gavira.