Mussel Production in Machangulo: A Sustainable Solution for Coastal CommunitiesSolution Brief

Mussel production in the coastal community of Machangulo is consolidating itself as a sustainable and inclusive income-generating alternative for coastal communities, especially women. The initiative combines traditional fishing knowledge with sustainable aquaculture, with low environmental impact and high potential for replication in other coastal areas.

Location and Context

Machangulo is located in Matutuine District, Maputo Province. With calm waters, rich in plankton and ideal for the cultivation of bivalves, the region has natural conditions favorable to mussel production.  This favourable environment, associated with the growing pressure on fisheries resources, has driven the adoption of alternative food production practices. The practice has been introduced to members of Community Fisheries Councils, especially women, as an alternative to traditional fishing.

Detail of the Community of Machangulo (Photo: CTV)

Challenges Addressed

- Increasing pressure on natural fisheries resources;- Lack of sustainable income alternatives in coastal communities;- Need to integrate aquaculture practices with traditional knowledge;- Infrastructure limitations and access to markets for smallholders.

- Improvement of coastal water quality through filtration by mussels;- Income generation for local families, with emphasis on the productive inclusion of women;- Reduction of pressure on artisanal fishing and promotion of food security;- Strengthening of local technical capacities in sustainable aquaculture;- Direct contributions to SDGs 1 (No poverty), 5 (Gender equality),   12 (Responsible consumption) and 14 (Life in the water).

Key Components (Building Blocks)

1. Integrated Technical and Traditional Knowledge

Mussel production combines modern aquaculture techniques with the traditional knowledge of local fishermen. This integration facilitates the acceptance of the practice and its alignment with community routines.

Enabling factors: proximity to the sea and familiarity with tidal cycles. Lessons learned: valuing local knowledge increases engagement and the effectiveness of adopted practices.

2. Cultivation System with Longlines

Mussel farming in Machangulu involves several meticulous steps that require specific materials and aquaculture techniques. Long ropes, 50 meters long on which sachets with mussel seeds are hung, are prepared and are held fixed by a concrete weight to serve as an anchor on the seabed, a procedure that keeps the longlines stretched and where the signaling buoys are placed. This system keeps the mollusks submerged even during low tides and requires ongoing maintenance.

The main materials include nets, ropes better known as longlines, buoys, mussel seeds, hand tools and sea transport. The longlines, cotton nets are sewn in the form of sachets, where the mussel seeds are placed, with initial dimensions between 1 and 1.5 inches (small mussels). This system ensures that the mussels remain submerged in water, even during the lowest tides.

Preparação de saquetas e de pesos de fixação (Foto: CTV)

The production cycle lasts approximately eight months and requires continuous maintenance, including cleaning, adjustments, and regular monitoring the growth of the mussel. By the end of the cycle, each bag typically yields between 8 and 10 kilograms of mussels. Harvesting takes place based on market demand. The price per kilogram, initially set at 500 MZN, has since dropped to between 180 and 200 MZN, but is expected to rise again as markets expand.

Enabling factors: availability of basic materials and technical support. Lessons learned: Regular monitoring of growth is essential for the success of the production cycle.

                                             Colheita do mexilhão no mar e nas saquetas

3 Story

Maria, one of the first women to participate in the activity in Machangulo, says that initially there was mistrust about the cultivation. Today, she leads a small group of women who perform longline maintenance. 'Before, we only depended on fishing. Now we have a new source of income.'

Opportunities

Investments in value chains, including processing and packaging, along with the development of suitable export channels, can integrate local production into the domestic and international market, aligning with global sustainable trade trends. In this way, mussel aquaculture in Machangulo is not only a viable economic alternative, but also an opportunity to strengthen local communities in harmony with the environment.

Social and Environmental Impacts

Environmental: Mussels act as natural filter feeders, improving water quality by removing suspended particles. Their production contributes to reducing pressure on natural fisheries resources.

Social: Generation of local income, appreciation of traditional knowledge, inclusion of women and youth, and strengthening of food security in coastal communities.

Economic: Stimulation of the local and regional economy, with potential for integration into the tourism value chain and the urban market of the city of Maputo.

 Key Elements of Success

Favorable natural environmental conditions (abundant plankton, calm and clean waters);

Combination of traditional and technical knowledge in aquaculture;

Low cost of implementation and operation;

Structured community organization, participatory cohesion among practicing members;

Institutional support in training, provision of materials and technical assistance.

Principais recursos e meios necessário para a produção de mexilhão (Foto: CTV)

Lessons Learned

Continuous technical training is essential to ensure good management practices and guarantee the quality of the final product;

The valorization of local knowledge contributes to greater community ownership of technology;

The absence of clear strategies for access to foreign markets still limits the growth and profitability of production.

Replication Potential

The solution is highly replicable in other coastal areas with similar ecological characteristics. Its structural simplicity, low initial investment and adaptability to local communities make this practice a viable and promising option for strengthening the blue economy in Mozambique and other developing countries.