Theme: “Our Ocean, Our Stories: How Local Science Is Saving the Sea”
Deadline: 30 August 2025
Your Science Has a Story—Let the World Hear It
In the early morning light, a ranger in Mozambique logs fewer sea cucumbers on the reef. In Madagascar, youth track mangrove recovery with hand-drawn maps. In Kenya, a fisher records changing catch sizes after a temporary closure.
Each of these is science in action—and every one tells a powerful story of stewardship, resilience, and change.
Now it’s your turn.
WIOMPAN invites you to share how science—big or small, formal or grassroots—is making a difference in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) across the Western Indian Ocean.
This is not just a competition. It’s a call to action, to illuminate local innovation, inspire peer learning, and influence real-world decisions. Your story can change minds—and shape the future of our ocean.
What Counts as ‘Science’?
Science is any systematic activity that improves knowledge and guides action. Your story could involve:
- Fish counts, reef monitoring, or turtle nesting observations
- Seagrass and mangrove assessments
- Climate or ocean impact tracking (bleaching, salinity, erosion, etc.)
- Water quality testing or pollution monitoring
- Octopus closure studies or community catch records
- Use of digital tools (SeaSketch, GPS, ID apps)
- Community or socioeconomic surveys
- Ranger patrols with key ecological insights
Who Can Take Part?
This call is open to all WIOMPAN-affiliated individuals and groups, including:
- MPA rangers and staff
- Community groups and conservancies
- BMUs and fishers’ cooperatives
- Youth clubs and school marine groups
- Researchers, NGOs, and co-management partners
Whether you’re a seasoned scientist, a youth leader, a community knowledge holder, or a local conservation champion—your story matters.
We especially encourage co-created submissions that bring together voices from across your MPA or LMMA—such as rangers and researchers, fishers and students, or elders and youth. These collaborative stories reflect the spirit of shared stewardship and make your science even more powerful.
How to Share Your Story
We welcome visual, accessible formats that communicate science clearly and creatively. You can submit your story in any of the following formats:
- Short Video (Preferred Format)
A powerful way to show science in action.
- Up to 3 minutes
- Shot on phone or handheld camera
- Should include:
- Who you are and where you’re based
- The activity or observation
- Why it matters
- What action was taken (or is needed)
- llustrated Storybook or Comic
Perfect for youth or community storytelling.
- Max 10 slides/pages(PDF, PowerPoint, or scanned drawings)
- Combine drawings, photos, and captions to walk the reader through your story
- Photo Essay
Let your images speak.
- 5–10 high-quality photos with captions
- Include a 200–300 wordwritten narrative on the activity and its impact
- Poster or Infographic
A snapshot ready for community display.
- One-page PDF or image
- Include visuals, key messages, and summary text
Award Categories
Your story could be recognized in one or more of these categories:
- Best Scientific Storytelling
- Best Ranger-led Submission
- Best Community-driven Science
- Best Use of Visuals
- Most Relevant to Management or Policy
What Winners Will Receive
Outstanding storytellers will be celebrated and supported through a range of recognition and learning opportunities, including:
- Support to attend the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposiumto share your story with a regional audience
- Recognition at WIOMPAN and WIOMSA events, including MPA Day celebrations
- Feature spots in the WIOMPAN newsletter, website, and exhibitionsto amplify your voice across the WIO region
- Invitations to present at regional knowledge-sharing platformsand learning exchanges
- Certificates of recognition, with opportunities for further mentorship or support to continue your storytelling journey
- Invitations to participate in WIOMSA capacity building opportunities
The best overall submission will receive a GoPro 11 worth 250 USD!
How to Submit
Please send your entry by 30 August 2025 to: wiompan@wiomsa.org.
Include:
- Your full name(s), country, and organization/MPA/LMMA name
- Your entry (video link, file attachment, or upload link)
- A brief summary (max 200 words)explaining your science and what it aims to support or solve
Need Help Crafting Your Story?
Use this simple guide to shape your story:
- Start with YOU– Who are you, and why does this matter?
- Show the SCIENCE– What did you do, and what did you find?
- Explain the IMPACT– Why does it matter for your community or ecosystem?
- Share your MESSAGE– What do you want others to learn or do?
Why This Matters
MPA Day is more than a celebration—it’s a moment to reflect, share, and mobilize. Good science drives better conservation. But well-told stories drive action.
Let’s turn data into dialogue, patrol logs into policy shifts, and small observations into big impact.
Help us tell your story—and help others protect our ocean.