Nairobi Convention Marine and Coastal News Round-up (12 April 2021)

Welcome, Nairobi Convention Member States, partners, and friends, to this issue of the Weekly News Round-up!

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]!

Shrinking sea meadows store more carbon than forests; Scientists racing to track what’s left

Saya de Malha seabank: “In a corner of the Western Indian Ocean, scientists’ cameras have captured rare footage of what they believe is the world’s largest seagrass meadow. Human activity is helping destroy the equivalent of a soccer field of these seagrasses every 30 minutes around the world…”

Women in Marine Science Outside the WIO members meeting

Are you a Women in Marine Sciece (WiMS) member and not from one of the countries in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region? There is an upcoming meeting for you. Make sure you register for the Network’s outside-the-region members meeting happening on 29th April 2021, at 2:00-3:30pm EAT. Register by filling the form below:

Challenges, recommendations for equitable use of aerial tools for mangrove research

As use of aerial tools like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for mangrove monitoring gains popularity, understanding who leads this research is critical for expanding efficient monitoring methods and achieving international commitments to sustainable development.

Ocean noise: Study to measure the oceans’ “year of quiet”

Ocean scientists around the world are studying the “unique moment” of quiet created by the pandemic. Researchers are calling their vast listening experiment: “The year of the quiet ocean.” The scientists plan to listen to the ocean soundscape before, during and after lockdown.

[MSPglobal] Sharing national MSP practices worldwide: Mozambique (Portuguese)

Under the MSPglobal Initiative, a series of online seminars are being held to discuss national MSP practicies worldwide. This particular session will focus on the case of Mozambique, at 10:00 – 11:30 (Paris time/GMT+2). (English translation provided).

Ocean noise: Study to measure the oceans’ ‘year of quiet’

Ocean scientists around the world are studying the “unique moment” of quiet created by the pandemic. The researchers have called their vast listening experiment: The year of the quiet ocean. The scientists plan to listen to the ocean soundscape before, during and after lockdown.

Seychelles’ Blue Carbon Journey

A SeyCCAT-funded project produced a literature review on Blue Carbon research in the Tropical Western Indian Ocean (TWIO). They identified three key research gaps that needed to be addressed. They are now filling in the knowledge gaps. Check out the journey so far and what they hope to achieve.