Policy Brief: Small-Scale Octopus Fisheries in the Western Indian Ocean: Strengthening Gender Inclusivity, Climate Resilience and Sustainable Blue Value Chains

Abstract

Small-scale octopus fisheries and blue value chains in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, spanning Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, and Mauritius, are vital sources of food, income, and cultural identity for coastal communities. Women play central roles in harvesting, processing, and trading octopus, yet remain underrepresented in formal fisheries governance structures. These fisheries face intersecting challenges, including overfishing, climate impacts (e.g., coral bleaching, habitat degradation), weak infrastructure, and lack of inclusive policies .