BLUE MARKET SOLUTIONS

Three children in life jackets holding a fishing net in shallow water by the beach on a cloudy day.

The CANOA team focuses on supporting projects that brings together diverse actors, strengthens linkages across the value chain, and enables systemic change by overcoming the fundamental barriers to positive market growth. We work side by side with coastal communities, producer groups, private enterprises, and public institutions to map market constraints, identify market expansion opportunities, and co-create market solutions that are contextually relevant and scalable. 

CANOA builds and leverages market intelligence to create space where localized stakeholders take the lead in shaping more efficient, profitable, and sustainable markets. As part of this market expansion, our market coordination team works to strengthen linkages across value chains, promote innovation, and crowd in private sector investment. 

Illustration of a coastal roadside attraction with a fish, crab, shell, cloud, and a truck connected by lines, centered around a food stand with a striped awning.

Market System Development

Our team are all about bringing people together and finding solutions to the systemic problems that prevent blue economic growth. CANOA leverages participatory market mapping exercises to build a collective vision of market growth. In addition, we work with communities and government stakeholders to identify and structure localized natural resource management. In order to ensure sustainable positive growth, we focus on creating space for the private sector to engage and drive sustainable business models. Honestly, one of our favorite MSD activities is supporting innovative pilots and creating scaling strategies for new blue business models!

Illustration of interconnected objects including a fish, airplane, globe, ship, crab, and watermelons, all connected by lines

Sustainable Supply Chains

Let’s be honest, the future looks pretty challenging. Increasing global demand, a warming ocean, and constant supply chain issues! There is a great deal of strain on our wild catch fisheries. Aquaculture, even with solid momentum, is facing production and sustainability issues of its own. CANOA is focused on working alongside seafood companies, freight forwarders, certification bodies, international financiers, scientists, and coastal communities in creating sustainable supply chains by introducing traceability systems, improving production models, enhancing community engagement, and building community led restoration and protection initiatives.

Illustration of interconnected elements including trees, a gear with people inside, a bar chart with an upward arrow, a clipboard with a checkmark, and plants, symbolizing environmental sustainability and teamwork.

Program Management

While we focus on activities like collaborating on pilots, building strategies, and facilitating private sector entry, we understand that sometimes projects need a bit more direct support to get things going. CANOA offers structured management support specifically in getting piloting programming off the ground and building strong evidence based strategies for scaling.

If you are working in Mozambique and are looking for solutions, or just want to exchange some ideas, reach out!