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.
We look forward to continuing our work with you to create a prosperous WIO region with healthy rivers, coasts, and oceans.
News:
Ecosystem-based Adaptation in South African Coastal Cities: Challenges and Opportunities
The multiple benefits of Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) means that these approaches can be of use to coastal cities. This policy briefing highlights various barriers and challenges to the implementation and governance of EbA in South African coastal cities, with a particular focus on Cape Town and Durban……..read more
Click here for the full-length policy brief
New Guide to Monitoring Progress on SDG 14
This is a newly published practical handbook on how to assess progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life below Water. By encouraging better monitoring and evaluation of SDG 14, the new handbook aims to support better reporting and learning across the 2030 Agenda….read more
Access the full publication here
A Massive Seaweed Bloom Now Stretches Across the Atlantic Ocean
Scientists have discovered a massive seaweed bloom stretching across nearly the entire Atlantic Ocean, from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. The bloom, dubbed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, first appeared in 2011 and has become an almost yearly occurrence, fueled in part by an influx of nutrients washed out to sea from deforestation and farming……read more
Read the full-length paper: The great Atlantic Sargassum belt
3 Global Awards Proving the World Recognizes Seychelles’ Environmental Commitment
The Seychelles is known for its pristine and well-protected environment. In the last few years, there has been increasing emphasis on the need to use the ocean’s resources in a sustainable manner. Three prestigious awards were presented to President Danny Faure in recognition of Seychelles’ commitment to the Blue Economy….read more
Coral Reefs Are Moving Away from The Hot Tropics, Marine Scientists Point Out
A new study states that new corals have already doubled in number in subtropical regions. The paper also holds that corals are increasingly shifting away from the equatorial waters to temperate areas to escape rising sea temperatures and unfavourable climatic conditions………..read more
International Day of the Seafarer 2019: Promoting Gender Equality in the Maritime Community
The empowerment of women in seafarers’ jobs and the promotion of gender equality in the maritime community were highlighted in by the Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Premdut Koonjoo, during a ceremony at Mauritius Maritime Training Academy in the context of the International Day of the Seafarer 2019. The event is annually observed on 25 June and the theme retained for this year is I Am on Board with gender equality. It stresses the importance and value of women within the professional ranks in the maritime world…….read more
Shifting Habitats Expose Fishing Communities to Risk Under Climate Change
This study projects that majority of fishing communities will face declining future fishing opportunities unless they adapt, either through catching new species or fishing in new locations. By integrating climatic, ecological and socio-economic data at a scale relevant to fishing communities, this analysis identifies where strategies for adapting to the ecological impacts of climate change will be most needed……..read more
