The ecosystems of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) are critical for the food security, employment, and economic development of the countries in eastern and southern Africa and adjacent island states, including Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and the Republic of South Africa . Over 60 million people rely on these ocean resources which contribute to a variety of economic activities such as fishing and tourism.
However, population growth, unsustainable exploitation and pollution are threatening the WIO’s ocean resources. Climate change impacts, including warming of the ocean and ocean acidification, and increased variability of weather events are also accelerating the decline of coastal and marine ecosystems.