Welcome, Nairobi Convention Member States, partners, and friends, to this installment of the Weekly News Round-up! Please keep reading to find out what’s new in efforts to protect, conserve and develop the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region.
We look forward to continuing our work with you to create a prosperous WIO region with healthy rivers, coasts, and oceans.
Upcoming Events:
First SAPPHIRE and Third WIOSAP Project Steering Committee Meeting on 25 – 27 June 2019 in Durban, South Africa: this meeting will bring together the PSCs of both projects to evaluate progress and provide recommendations to guide project implementation…….WIOSAP and SAPPHIRE
Partnership for Action Meeting on Management of Oceanographic Research and Data in the Western Indian Ocean Region on 28 June 2019 in Durban South Africa: organized under the SAPPHIRE project, this meeting will discuss the status of national data centers; identify key country priorities in enhancing their capacity to use, manage, and own their data and research; and agree on a feasible partnership mechanism related to data collection and archiving for the region……read more
Special sessions on ‘Promoting Marine Protected Areas as a tool for Management Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goal 14’ and ‘Ocean Governance in the Western Indian ocean region’: Join us for these special sessions on July 5, 2019 at Port Louis Mauritius during the 11th Symposium of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)……… read more. Find out more about the WIOMSA Symposium here.
News:
The Role of Data in Ocean Governance
This IWLearn newsletter highlights the SAPPHIRE project and its efforts to build partnerships to ensure that data and information in the WIO region is captured and integrated in an effective regional management and governance system for the WIO Large Marine Ecosystems. Additionally, the project will consolidate work already done by stakeholders, including the local communities and the private sector, into the management process through real actions and transformation of practices…………read more
As coral becomes increasingly threatened, Seychelles helps six countries practice coral restoration
Community leaders and reef practitioners from six western Indian Ocean countries affected by climate change are now better equipped to carry out coral reef restoration following an intensive training session……..read more
Illegal fishing, poor working conditions examined at regional meeting held in Seychelles
Tackling illegal fishing and poor working conditions in the fisheries sector were the focus of a regional dialogue held in Seychelles in May. Representatives from 10 countries in or bordering the Indian Ocean took part in the ‘Mahé Regional Dialogue on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, Decent work and safety at Sea’……..read more
Does Protection of Marine Areas Safeguard Coral Reefs from Human-Source Pollution?
Marine biodiversity is under increasing threat as the area covered by corals diminishes under pressure from climate change and human activities, most of which lead to marine pollution. In Kenya, marine protected areas (MPAs) are the key strategy used to protect coral reefs and biodiversity. However, MPAs’ effectiveness to prevent pollution of the reefs has not been specifically assessed………….read more
The coast and marine resources management in Tanzania
Because of the extent of the diversity and variety, several different examples are used by this study to elucidate the complexity of issues and multiplicity of management responses related to use of coastal and marine resources. It emerges that coastal management requires an integrated cross-sectoral approach to address the wide array of interrelated issues involved…….read more
Biodiversity data rescue in the framework of a long-term Kenya-Belgium cooperation in marine sciences
The dataset provides a better insight into the different types of research conducted between 1985 and 1996 in frame of the Kenya-Belgium cooperation in marine sciences (KBP) project and can facilitate further coastal biodiversity research in Kenya……read more
Summary of the Twentieth Meeting of the United Nations Open-Ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea
The “informal” nature of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP) fosters an open exchange among participants and, for 2019, offered a unique opportunity to provide vital input to planning of the UN Decade……read more
Taking the fight to the frontline: Island states unite to end pollution
Twenty-Seven Small Island Developing States have come together in a bid to manage and eliminate toxic chemicals and waste. The initiative is backed by $450 million in funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and partners. Global program will prevent the release of over 23,000 metric tons of toxic chemicals and more than 185,000 metric tons of marine litter……read more
The world’s fisheries are incredibly intertwined, thanks to baby fish
That finding means that many nations with economies that rely on fishing must depend on other countries to maintain important spawning grounds. The results of the simulation highlight the importance of international cooperation in sustaining the fisheries that provide millions of people with food and livelihoods…….read more
Read the full-length paper: The small world of global marine fisheries: The cross-boundary consequences of larval dispersal
David Attenborough’s worried about this ocean threat – and it’s not plastic
Broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough has warned our waters are facing the biggest threat in their history, with industrial overfishing putting the entire ecosystem at risk. Seafood is a key source of protein for people around the world, but nearly 90% of the world’s marine fish stocks are now fully exploited, overexploited or depleted…….read more
We look forward to continuing our work with you to create a prosperous WIO region with healthy rivers, coasts, and oceans.
Do you have an event or story you’d like included in the weekly round-up? Write [email protected] to be featured next week!
