Advancing Sustainable Fisheries and Ocean Governance in Kenya The Nairobi Convention and the SouthWest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the sustainable management of coastal and marine environment and fishery resources in the Western Indian Ocean region. The MoU seeks to enhance collaboration to support member countries…
Creating a regional strategy involves the active participation of various stakeholders, ranging from academic and research institutions to policymakers, businesses reliant on ocean resources, donors, and community members. This has been the case for the development of the Regional Ocean Governance Strategy (ROGS) for the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). The development of the strategy was…
Read about efforts being made in coastal villages in Tanzania’s Mkinga District, as the community integrates into the co-management of their coastal and marine resources. It is taking the collaborative efforts between government bodies, international organizations, and local stakeholders to preserve biodiversity, establish sustainable livelihoods, and mitigate climate change challenges through marine spatial planning, habitat…
The first project steering committee (PSC) meeting for the Integrated Management of the Marine and Coastal Resources of the Northern Mozambique Channel (NOCAMO) Project was convened on December 6, 2023. The PSC was convened to review and approve the project’s progress and expenditure. Additionally, it sought to review and approve the project’s annual work plan…
The 2023 Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform The 2023 Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Science to Policy Forum themed ‘Addressing Global Targets in the WIO in support of a Sustainable Blue Economy’ took place in December in Maputo, Mozambique. It followed the 2021 Science to Policy Forum whose theme was ‘Transitioning to a Sustainable…
In September 2023, an intrepid team of environmental stewards embarked on a transformative odyssey along the coasts of Boeny and Sofia regions in Madagascar. They sought to assess and engage with local communities on mangrove conservation, restoration and explore blue carbon market initiatives for the sustainability of coastal marine biodiversity in the country. The team…
The Nairobi Convention for the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) and the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions have joined forces to combat the escalating problem of marine litter, with a specific focus on plastics and associated chemicals in the WIO region. This partnership aims to equip WIO countries with improved capacity to implement the legally…
Empowering coastal communities In the ebb and flow of the Indian Ocean’s salty waters, a quiet revolution has been taking place, one centered around an unassuming sea creature —the mussel. These shellfish, equally at home in fresh and salt water, have captured the hearts and taste buds of many, earning their place as a culinary…
The Marine Regions Forum 2023, hosted by Tanzania and Seychelles in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, served as a collaborative platform for experts to exchange knowledge on ocean governance. The forum aimed to enhance cooperation and coordination, emphasizing practical strategies for sustainable practices. Topical Strands Tackling the Triple Planetary Crisis: Addressed climate change, biodiversity…
A historic event saw the Nairobi Convention Contracting Parties unanimously agree to, adopt, and sign the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Protocol for the Western Indian Ocean after thirteen years of dedicated negotiations. This unfolded at a Conference of Plenipotentiaries held on 11-12 September 2023 in the picturesque Antananarivo, Madagascar, and followed four intergovernmental negotiation…