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Three Unique Islands, One United Vision

Shaping the transition to a Sustainable Blue Economy in Comoros

By GRID-Arendal

March 25^th, 2026

In the Comoros, the ocean is not just a resource. It is the backbone of livelihoods, food security, culture and national identity.

But like many Small Island Developing States, the country faces a difficult challenge: how to develop its marine economy while protecting the ecosystems that sustain it.

In August 2025, a team from GRID-Arendal travelled across the three islands of Mohéli, Anjouan and Grande Comore to support a nationwide consultation process on the country’s transition towards a Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE).

The mission brought together government officials, community leaders, fishers, tourism operators, researchers, civil society and the private sector. Their goal was ambitious but essential: to help shape a revised national blue economy policy that reflects the realities of the islands and the voices of the people who depend on the ocean.

Ocean shoreline littered with plastic waste. Mountains rise in the background under a blue sky with light clouds. — Coastline near Anjouan’s harbour

Coastal view as the sun sets, casting a warm glow over the water. Two people stand at the shoreline near boats and remnants of structures in the water.

Listening across the islands

The consultations were led by the Ministry of Environment in charge of Tourism, with technical support from GRID-Arendal, and oversight from UNEP and FAO.

Rather than relying only on national-level discussions, the process deliberately travelled to each island to capture local perspectives and priorities.

Across a series of workshops, bilateral meetings and participatory exercises, stakeholders explored key questions:

• What opportunities does the blue economy offer the Comoros?

• What barriers prevent sustainable ocean development?

• And what priorities should guide the country’s future ocean policy?

Participants worked together to identify priorities across sectors including fisheries, tourism, maritime transport, aquaculture and environmental protection.

The consultations also served to validate the findings of a Rapid Readiness Assessment, evaluating the country’s preparedness for implementing a sustainable blue economy.

Group of about 20 people stand together outside a building, likely participants in the — Stakeholder consultation in Moheli

Building a shared vision

Despite differences between the islands, a clear common vision emerged.

Across the Comoros, stakeholders highlighted three pillars for the future blue economy:
Fisheries remain central to livelihoods and food security. Participants stressed the importance of sustainable management, improved monitoring, and greater value addition through processing and aquaculture.

Tourism, particularly nature-based tourism, was widely seen as a major opportunity for economic development if infrastructure and environmental safeguards are strengthened.

Maritime transport and connectivity were identified as critical for linking the islands and enabling trade, tourism and economic integration.

But economic sectors alone are not enough. Participants repeatedly emphasized that a successful blue economy must also include:

• strong environmental protection

• improved governance and law enforcement

• investments in infrastructure and training

• greater inclusion of women, youth and local communities.

In short, the blue economy must work for both people and nature.

Six people stand on a rocky beach with fishing boats behind them. The group includes one woman and five men of varying heights and skin tones. They face the camera with neutral expressions.

Freshly caught tuna hang vertically in a row against a concrete wall. The fish have silver bodies with dark stripes and small fins. The scene is dimly lit.

Sign with Swahili text about waste management stands above a pile of discarded bags and trash. The sign shows illustrations of people carrying trash to a bin.

Rows of black plastic bags filled with soil line a greenhouse floor, ready for planting. Seedlings sprout nearby, under a green mesh roof.

The priorities: data, capacity and governance

During the consultations, stakeholders ranked the most urgent actions needed to support the transition. Several priorities stood out across all three islands.

First, participants stressed the need to finalise and adopt a revised national blue economy policy, providing a clear framework for coordinated action.

Second, stakeholders called for the creation of a national blue economy data hub, highlighting the lack of reliable ecological and socio-economic data to support decision-making.

Third, participants emphasised the importance of training and ocean literacy programmes for both officials and communities.

Other priorities included developing innovative blue finance mechanisms, clarifying institutional responsibilities, and establishing pilot blue growth zones where sustainable tourism, fisheries or renewable energy initiatives could be tested.

Together, these priorities highlight a common challenge faced by many island states: the need to strengthen governance, capacity and knowledge systems in order to translate ocean potential into sustainable development.

A diverse group of people sit at tables, reviewing documents and working on laptops, likely discussing the

Group of people meet around a table, some wearing traditional hats, with laptops and water bottles, discussing

Five women stand in front of a building under a sign for

Group of people from three islands gather indoors. Some wear traditional patterned clothing, others wear suits or casual attire.

A process built on participation

One of the defining features of the consultation process was its participatory approach.
Through group discussions, stakeholder mapping exercises and interactive surveys, participants worked together to identify challenges and trade-offs.

This approach ensured that local perspectives – including traditional knowledge and community experience – were integrated alongside technical expertise. It also helped build ownership of the policy process.

For many participants, the consultations provided the first opportunity to discuss the blue economy in a cross-sector setting, bringing together actors who rarely collaborate but whose work is deeply interconnected.

Coastal city view shows hillside buildings leading to a port with cargo ships on a sunny day. Mountains are visible in the distance across the bay. — Anjouan’s industrial harbour

Why this work matters

For the Comoros, the stakes are high.
The country’s economy, food systems and culture are tightly linked to the ocean, yet it faces growing pressures from climate change, illegal fishing, pollution and limited institutional capacity.

A sustainable blue economy offers a pathway to address these challenges — but only if it is built on strong governance, reliable data and inclusive decision-making.

This is where GRID-Arendal’s role becomes critical.
Through technical expertise, facilitation and science-policy support, GRID-Arendal helps countries translate global ocean commitments into practical policies and locally grounded solutions.

The work in the Comoros also contributes to broader global efforts, including the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and international commitments under SDG 14: Life Below Water.

Two men stand on concrete blocks by the ocean. One man gestures towards the coastline with mountains in the distance, bathed in the warm light of dusk. — Field visits across Anjouan with the Flagship National Coordinator, engaging with local activities and stakeholders

From consultation to action

The stakeholder consultations mark an important step in revising the Comoros’ national sustainable blue economy policy.

The insights gathered from communities, institutions and sector experts will inform the next phase of the process: the development of a strategic action plan and integrated policy framework.

For the Comoros, the message emerging from the consultations is clear.

The country’s future lies in the ocean, but its success will depend on building a blue economy that is sustainable, inclusive and rooted in the realities of the islands themselves.