Satlink and Somalia-based NGO MARCOD Center have teamed up to bring Project ReCon to Somalia, marking a significant step forward in tackling marine debris while strengthening coastal community resilience.
Following several months of collaboration, the partnership will introduce Satlink’s industry-led circular economy initiative to recover and repurpose end-of-life echosounder buoys.
The project aims to reduce the environmental impact of abandoned fishing technology while improving the safety and wellbeing of artisanal fishers operating along mainland Africa’s longest coastline.
“Fishers’ safety is crucial for coastal communities all along the Somali coast,” said Abdishakur Farah, co-founder and director of MARCOD Center.
“Likewise, marine debris and stranded fishing equipment have been a visible and growing challenge for our coastal communities. Project ReCon gives us access to technology to tackle these issues in both a practical and sustainable way.”
Somalia’s geography and oceanographic conditions, combined with its proximity to tropical tuna fishing grounds in the Indian Ocean, make it a strategic location for Project ReCon.
The initiative will prioritise reusing recovered buoys for practical community applications, including converting them into tracking or vessel monitoring system tools for small-scale fishing boats navigating strong currents and challenging waters. Devices will also support marine research and environmental monitoring in line with local needs.
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MARCOD will work directly with fishing communities to enhance recovery of end-of-life devices and encourage reuse across the sector. A central hub will also be established for storage and recycling of equipment unsuitable for local reuse, creating potential revenue streams through resale and recycling.
“In a coastal region as sensitive and challenging as Somalia, we cannot think of better partners to bring this project to life,” said Kathryn Gavira, head of science and sustainability at Satlink.
“Together, we are not only tackling marine debris and advancing fisheries sustainability, we are also building stronger coastal communities in the long term.”
