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Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are the backbone of coastal communities around the world. They make up about 90% of all fishers and provide nearly half of the global fish catch, supporting millions of families with food and income. Yet, despite their enormous value, SSF are often left out of national policies and official statistics. Additionally, their diversity, decentralisation, and remoteness challenges of SSF the collection of reliable social and ecological data. This lack of information makes it harder to design management measures that protect both coastal ecosystems and the people who depend on them. In São Tomé and Príncipe, one of the most fisheries-dependent Small Island Developing States (SIDS), a collaboration between national and international partners has been working with fishers and coastal communities since 2017 to change that. By involving local resource users directly and combining ecological and social knowledge, the project has helped fill critical data gaps and supported the design of the country’s first network of Marine Protected Areas. This approach shows how meaningful participation and attention to both people and nature are essential for building sustainable coastal futures. See pre-recording here: https://youtu.be/WkDJ1NMQAKo 
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