Nairobi Convention Marine and Coastal News Round-up (11 September 2020)

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. Do you have any events, research, or scientific publications on the Western Indian Ocean that you would like to be included in the round-up? Write to [email protected]!

News

Opportunity: Development of Full Demonstration Project Proposal for Ministry of Fisheries, Madagascar

The Nairobi Convention, under the SAPPHIRE Project, is seeking a consultant to develop a full demonstration project proposal for Madagascar’s Ministry of Fisheries. The consultant will closely work with the partner institutions, Nairobi Convention and SAPPHIRE Focal Points of Madagascar and the Nairobi Convention Secretariat during the development of the proposal and submit a final version in English and French.

South Africa aims to stop marine litter at its source

A new initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility through the Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the Protection of the Western Indian Ocean from Land-Based Sources and Activities (WIOSAP) project, executed by the Nairobi Convention, aims to stop marine litter at its source. Through increased litter collection and community-led waste sorting and recycling, the project will reduce litter generation at its source, thereby lessening the amount of pollution that reaches the ocean.

Launch of Background Document on the State of Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean

In recognition of the critical role ocean governance can play in the sustainable ocean conservation and use, the Nairobi Convention will release a new publication, The State of Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean Region on 16 September under its SAPPHIRE project. The document will be released at a virtual meeting with the African Union, Regional Economic Communities relevant to the Western Indian Ocean, and national Focal Points of the Convention.

Living Planet Report 2020: Bending the curve of biodiversity loss

A new report suggests that, without ambitious, integrated action combining conservation and restoration efforts with a transformation of the food system, turning the tide of biodiversity loss by 2050 or earlier will not be possible. The report finds that biodiversity is at risk and the planet is overtaxed by humans, but also that there is still a chance to ‘bend the curve’ of biodiversity loss.

Ocean accounts: A seachange approach in ocean decision-making

This study proposes the advancement of ocean accounts in African ocean economies to balance ocean resource-use with ocean resource sustainability and inclusivity. This advancement would benefit from the implementation of pilot studies in a number of African coastal countries to assess the applicability of oceans accounts in the governance of African ocean economies.

Ocean Science in Action: WIO-focused Open Online Course starts this October 5th

The course ‘Ocean Science in Action: Addressing Marine Ecosystems and Food Security in the Western Indian Ocean’ will introduce learners to innovative marine technologies and their applications used to tackle the challenges of the sustainable management of marine ecosystems. The course starts 5th October 2020 and enrolment is now open.

Launch of the Ocean Decade Virtual Series

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, along with partner organizations, will convene a series of high-level and scientific virtual dialogues to mobilize the global ocean community, foster transformative partnerships and innovative solution-oriented actions under the Ocean Decade.

Individual dolphin calls used to estimate population size and movement in the wild

An international team of scientists has succeeded in using the signature whistles of individual bottlenose dolphins to estimate the size of the population and track their movement. The research marks the first time that acoustic monitoring has been used in place of photographs.

Saving marine life: Novel method quantifies the effects of plastic on marine wildlife

Scientists have developed a novel quantitative method to quantify the effects of plastic on marine animals. This method successfully shows that plastic ingestion by sea turtles might be causing population declines, despite a lack of strong effects on individual turtles.

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration: Strategy Reveal and Engagement

The strategy for the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration was developed following an inclusive, transparent and open process. Over 2,000 comments were received from all stakeholder groups. To prepare for the official launch of the Decade next year, this webinar will give opportunity to engaged partners and participants to ask questions and prepare their own campaigns to mobilize broad support for the Decade.

News

Author: William Obote

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