190 Fishers Protect Cabo Verde's Ocean for a Decade

Alberto Martius pulls his blue and white wooden boat onto the shore of Fogo Island, his 18-year-old son Leandro beside him. They've just returned from a fishing trip where they caught more than fish: they also caught signs of hope for their ocean's future.

"I'm proud my son is following in my footsteps, protecting the ocean," Martius says. He's one of 190 fishers across seven islands in Cabo Verde who volunteer with Guardians of the Sea, a program celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

The program transforms everyday fishers into ocean protectors. While they fish, they monitor whales, sharks, and sea turtles. They document illegal activities like banned fishing methods and vessels operating in restricted areas.

Sara Ratão helped create the program in 2016 after watching illegal fishing harm Cabo Verde's waters. Government inspections happened too rarely to stop the damage. She realized fishers themselves could be the solution.

On Maio Island alone, guardians have completed nearly 140,000 patrol trips since 2016. They've recorded over 2,300 sightings of marine animals and documented 513 cases of illegal activity in their waters.

The program doesn't just catch rule-breakers. It prevents them. "The presence of the Guardians acts as a strong deterrent against illegal activities," Ratão explains.

The Ripple Effect

The real power goes beyond patrols. Respected fishers use their community standing to change minds about ocean protection. When a guardian talks about sustainable fishing, other fishers listen.

Eight local and international organizations now run training workshops across the islands. Fishers learn about marine protected areas, ecosystem conservation, and how to spot protected species like loggerhead turtles and hammerhead sharks.

The program started on Maio Island with a handful of volunteers. It grew to its seventh island, São Antão, in 2024, adding 30 new guardians. Each one brings their knowledge of local waters and their commitment to keeping them healthy.

For fishers like Mauricio Monteiro Rodrigues, a father of two on Fogo Island, the workshops connect conservation to daily life. He's learning how protecting today's fish means more fish tomorrow for his family and community.

Fishing has always been central to Cabo Verde's identity and economy. The country has about 1,535 fishing vessels supporting coastal families. Now those same families are ensuring the ocean thrives for generations.

Back on shore, Martius watches his son help secure their boat, proud that the next generation will guard these waters too.