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.
Upcoming Events:
Mozambique’s Growing Blue Conference, 23-24 May: Mozambique is holding its first “Growing Blue: Sustainable and Shared Exploitation of Oceans” conference to promote the integration of Blue Economy developments in the region. You may read about the Growing Blue conference here
Partners at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) set the scene for the conference in a WIOMSA blog post: For a Resilient Blue Economy, Work with Nature
Science-to-Policy Platform, 27-29 May; Mauritius: At the fifth installment of this dialogue between Nairobi Convention Member States and experts, participants will have a chance to explore innovative policy options and management strategies required to inform science-based decision-making. Its policy decisions may be used as a basis for key decisions at the next Conference of Contracting Parties to the Nairobi Convention. For those unable to join, the Nairobi Convention will be providing live Twitter updates under the hashtag #SciPol19.
At this workshop, participants will identify key priorities to enhance participating countries’ capacity on utilization, management and ownership of oceanographic data and scientific research in the WIO region.
Workshop Session III on Validation of WIOSAP Guidelines, 28 May; Mauritius: The set of Guidelines/Toolkits are being developed include: Methodologies for the Valuation of Coastal & Marine Ecosystems; Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Guideline; Seagrass Ecosystem Restoration Guideline; E-Flows Assessment Guideline; and Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) Toolkit.
News:
New Publication: Local Management of Marine Resources: A guide for Communities in Kenya and Tanzania
This publication is designed to provide guidance to community members and resource users who wish to manage their own natural resources by developing a strategy for local management of their coastal areas and marine resources. Available in both English and Kiswahili, the guide also provides some links where those interested can find further information or can request support and practical assistance……..Read the full length report here
Mozambique Looks Beyond Cyclone Idai to Better Protection in the Future: Last year, to reduce the threat of flooding, Beira finished dredging and rehabilitating a storm water drainage system; constructed almost seven miles of drainage canals in flood-prone areas; and built a large basin to retain water that would normally inundate dense settlements. A few days after Cyclone Idai, the World Bank approved a $90 million grant to support Mozambique’s second disaster risk management plan… read more.
Fisheries crime, human rights and small-scale fisheries in South Africa: A case of bigger fish to fry
This article examines the relationship between a fisheries-crime law enforcement approach and the envisaged management approach of the South African Small-Scale Fisheries Policy….read more
World Migratory Bird Day Highlights Plastic Threat to Birds: Plastic pollution poses dangers to birds, who can get caught up in fishing gear and other plastic debris; confuse plastic waste with food and eat it; or use debris as material for nest-building, which can harm their chicks. The Convention on Migratory Species, and the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), which are backed by UNEP, work with countries to prevent plastic items from entering the marine environment. A recent resolution on seabird conservation, adopted by AEWA member countries in December 2018, includes a series of actions that countries can take to reduce the risk caused by plastic waste on migratory birds. Read more.
Sources, transport, and accumulation of different types of plastic litter in aquatic environments: A review study
Types of plastic waste in different aquatic environments were assessed to obtain a global framework of plastic waste transport and accumulation, relevant for plastic pollution mitigation strategies in aquatic environments……read more
How is climate change affecting fishes? There are clues inside their ears
Many people may be surprised to learn that fish have ears, and in many cases an acute sense of hearing. Climate change is posing unique challenges to aquatic life. Increasingly, a window on the secret lives of fishes is opening up through study of tiny, calcified formations inside fish skulls called otoliths – literally, “ear-stones”………read more
Vacancies
Data & Science Coordinator -The Western Indian Ocean Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme Policy Harmonization & Institutional Reforms, SAPPHIRE Project
Applicants should apply online by: 30 May 2019
Apply here
Southwest Regional Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator
Blue Ventures, Madagascar
Applicants should apply online: by 3 June 2019
Apply here
Webinars of Interest
Finance Tools for Coral Reef Conservation: An Overview
Jun 5, 2019 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Conservation targets and how much of the world do we need to protect?
Jul 11, 2019 1:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join here
Financing Coral Reef Conservation and Management with Tourism-Related Tools
Jul 17, 2019 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Do you have an event or story you’d like included in the weekly round-up? Write [email protected] to be featured next week!
