The threatened state of the global marine ecosystem calls for more effective marine management and MPA network establishment. In poor countries such as Mozambique, this is especially challenging as funds are limited and enforcement is low. It is therefore desirable to determine if Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), a widely unused resource, is useful in the planning of an MPA. Thus, a case study was conducted in the coastal, data-poor village of Zavora, and 17 local fishermen were interviewed about their socio-economic background, fishing practice and fish stock knowledge. Results on catch trends suggest that the local fishery is under high fishing pressure and in an overexploited state, and LEK data was able to give primary indicators for spawning areas and abundance hotspots. The gathered information is conclusive enough to advise MPA planners; however, it is recommended to conduct a longer-running study with the trust of the local community. The importance of human dimensions in MPA planning is recognized and it is advised to use LEK as a tool to gain community support and future compliance with regulations.
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