Sprawling Patience (Tanzania, Zanzibar)

The octopus ( Octopus cyanea ), an iconic species of the Indian Ocean, has become a biological indicator of sustainability in Zanzibar's coastal communities. Long overexploited due to intensive fishing at low tide, it is now the subject of local management strategies: "octopus closures." These temporary closures of fishing areas, self-managed by villagers, allow for a spectacular recovery of stocks. When they reopen, catches sometimes triple, improving both food security and income.

This circular economy relies on collective expertise: scuba diving, hand-held or harpoon-based capture techniques, and basic preservation on a bed of ice or in makeshift containers. Here, recycled polystyrene serves as a cold room, mechanical scales as a compass of fairness, and each transaction reflects the resilience of a living chain.

Zanzibar thus participates in a rare model of “participatory science”: fishing data is shared with NGOs and researchers to refine marine governance. These tentacles tell more than a story of a catch: they embody an ecological solidarity based on pause and patience.

This photograph was selected by the prestigious international gallery 1X.com, which recognizes works for their aesthetic and documentary value.