Tamou, Ibrahim, Mashar, Ali, Kurnia, Rahmat, Ferse, Sebastian C. A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0930-5356 and Azali, Hamza Abdou (2025) Integrating Community Perspectives and Scientific Tools for Exploring the Potential of Sustainable Mariculture Development in Mohéli, Comoros. Journal of Tropical Fisheries Management, 9 (1). pp. 6-19. DOI https://doi.org/10.29244/m334j569.

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Abstract

Mariculture, or the cultivation of aquatic organisms, holdsthe potential of enhancing food security, income diversification, and overall economic sustainability. To ensure its growth in the long run, it had tobe sustainable,particularly from the perspective of local communities, economically profitable, and environmentally friendly. This paper aimedto assess the acceptability ofthe feasibility of potential mariculture development in Mohéli, Comoros, a place with no existing mariculture activity, using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), scenario planning, and stakeholder preference elicitation. To collect data, interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with key stakeholders, including local fishers, lawmakers, and environmental experts. The results of the study showed thateconomic gain was the main driving force behind the support for mariculture in the assessed communities, but acceptability was also influencedbyenvironmental aspects. Of the many mariculture options, seaweed farming was found to be the most recommendable because of its short harvest period, minimalnegativeimpact onthe environment, and low costs. The study demonstrated a need for targeted awareness campaigns, collaborative decision-making, and strategic changes in management to address ecological and socio-economic challenges. The present research could behelpful in this regard as it suggested amethod of integrating community interests with scientific decision-making tools to develop a roadmap for the growth of sustainable mariculture while ensuring that there isharmonybetween social, environmental,and economic aspects of development in coastal areas.

Document Type:	Article
Programme Area:	PA1
Research affiliation:	Science Management > Office for Knowledge Exchange
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	Yes
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.29244/m334j569
ISSN:	2721-1525
Date Deposited:	03 Mar 2026 10:27
Last Modified:	03 Mar 2026 10:27
URI:	https://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/6132

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