I am a mid-career professional, a former fisheries officer and currently a Marine Conservation Warden at Mafia Island Marine Park. I deal with conservation and management of marine resources and its environment for 7 years now. I have a degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and recently graduated a joint Erasmus Mundus Master Course on Maritime Spatial Planning from Venice, Azore and Sevilla Universities.
Jennifer Olbers obtained her PhD degree from the University of Cape Town in taxonomy and marine biogeography. Jennifer worked at the Oceanographic Research Institute while completing her MSc degree and gained experience in benthic monitoring and aquaculture practices.
She joined Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, as a marine ecologist where she was involved in the implementation and coordination of various marine and coastal monitoring programmes. She also coordinated the KZN Marine Animal Stranding Network in which all marine stranded animals were managed along the KZN coastline.
I am a Natural Resource Management Expert with over 20 years of working experience in the formulation and implementation of projects and programs in coastal and marine resource conservation and development within coastal East Africa. My specific areas of expertise include participatory natural resource planning and co-management, resource governance, monitoring, and evaluation.
Extensive experience in ocean governance and policy development with recent contribution in the development of the South African Marine Spatial Act and the coordination of the Marine Spatial Planning process.
Houssoyni Housseni, born in Mohéli island from Comoros, holds a Master Degree in Development with specialization in Environment management from French speaker University (Université Senghor, Campus de Burkina-Faso);an Engineering Degree in Naturals resources protection and conservation (Ecosystems service, Ecology, marine sciences) from University of Applied Sciences and Technology, Tehran-Iran; and a Bachelor’s Degree in Earth Sciences and Environment (Geology, Ecology and Chemistry) from University of Comoros.
I have extensive experience developing and implementing multi- and transdisciplinary projects focused on marine biotechnology, sustainable aquaculture/mariculture, and seafood traceability. Knowledge and a passion for all things algae (microalgae and seaweed). Passionate about science-based community-led marine conservation initiatives for the WIO - especially innovative thinking in marine.
I am a member of the African Marine Conservation Leadership Programme launched by Blue Ventures and Maliasili.
I am a marine microbiologist by training but have mainly focussed on how (scientific) information can be better used to guide policy decisions and ultimately marine governance. For me, this includes the participation of as many involved stakeholders as possible to co-create ideas and jointly develop a roadmap for the sustainable use of marine resources.
I have now succesfully worked with a wide range of stakeholders, including the maritime industry, NGOs and both scientific/intergovernmental istitutions.
