Coastal Communities Take Charge of Ocean Conservation with Data-Driven Approach

Cisco's Voices from the Field series highlights how data is strengthening livelihoods in coastal communities. The second installment focuses on Blue Ventures, a London-based nonprofit that aligns with Cisco Foundation's $100M climate commitment to invest in tech-based nature preservation solutions.

Blue Ventures' approach to marine conservation centers around supporting coastal communities to rebuild fisheries and restore ocean life. In Belize, they are working closely with fishers like Ron Escobar and Paula Jacobs Williams, who have seen the effects of a changing climate alter the ocean they depend on for their livelihoods.

With support from the Cisco Foundation, Blue Ventures is helping these communities collect, visualize, and use their own fisheries data to inform management decisions. This Community Fisheries Data system empowers fishers to make informed choices that improve ocean health and local resilience.