Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission(SWIOFC PP2) Kenya Scoping Missions/ Site Selection 23 February to 2 March 2024
The project will promote regional capacity development, coordination and collaboration for sustainable coastal and marine environment and fisheries governance at national level and for the wider Western Indian Ocean region. The project is expected to contribute to strengthening the implementation of the ecosystem approach in national and local management of coastal environment and fisheries, where measures for sustainable use, protection and restoration of coastal and marine habitats and resources, combined with livelihood interventions, will be developed together with local communities. In the long run, the project is expected to improve resilience of coastal ecosystems, food security and livelihoods, protect biodiversity and reinforce participation in the management of natural resources, for youth, women, and men in coastal fishing communities.
Objectives
- Introduce the project to stakeholders in Environment and in the Blue economy and Fisheries sector.
- To visit potential project sites and conduct a baseline assessment in at least four coastal counties ie Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, and Tana River
The Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Nairobi Convention through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for enhanced collaboration to support member countries of the Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC)and Nairobi Convention in their commitment towards the sustainable management of their coastal and marine environment and fishery resources. With the financial support of Sweden, the two frameworks are jointly implementing the Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC)-Nairobi Convention Partnership project “A Partnership for Marine and Coastal Governance and Fisheries Management for Sustainable Blue Growth” (SWIOFC NC PP, ref. GCP/SFS/005/SWE). The project focuses on improving fisheries-environment collaboration in governance areas of joint concern to improve food and nutrition security, increase resilience, and reduce poverty of poor fisheries-dependent coastal communities. It applies an integrated approach, working with fisheries and environment authorities, experts and communities at local sites in Madagascar, Mozambique and the United Republic of Tanzania. This is combined with support to national and regional knowledge exchange, capacity building and policy dialogue to transfer lessons learned and to promote wider participation in ocean governance at different levels.
Building further on the Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC)and the Nairobi Convention partnership, the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) signed a contributions Agreement for a multi-country contribution to implement a new regional project to expand the on current project. The project Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) Nairobi Convention Partnership for Resilient Marine and Coastal Ecosystems and Livelihoods” (SWIOFC NC PP 2, ref. GCP/SFS/006/SWE) will expand national activities at local sites in Mozambique and the United Republic of Tanzania and introduce new activities in Kenya.
