Dates: April 27 – 31, 2024
Venue: Kenya Coast
Organized by: Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
Supported by: Blue Nature Alliance and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Overview
Marine conservation practitioners from across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region have come together on the Kenya Coast for a five-day workshop focused on compliance and enforcement management. This workshop, titled the “Enforcement and Compliance Management Course,” is designed to address significant challenges faced by Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in the WIO region.
The WIO region encompasses over 140 MPAs and over 300 LMMAs. However, many of these areas struggle with weak enforcement due to a lack of capacity and capability, which has hampered conservation outcomes. This workshop aims to equip marine conservation practitioners with the skills and knowledge needed to manage compliance and enforcement activities effectively in their respective areas.
Workshop Goals and Structure
The primary goal of this workshop is to foster an engaging learning environment through experience sharing and interactive discussions. The course covers a range of regulatory and environmental issues related to MPAs, LMMAs, and other marine conserved areas. The focus is on achieving positive management outcomes while maintaining community and stakeholder trust.
The workshop was joined by 28 participants from across the WIO region includes managers, officers, and experienced staff responsible for compliance and enforcement in area-based marine management systems. These practitioners play a crucial role in ensuring that marine conservation regulations are effectively implemented to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystems.
What are participants learning?
Throughout the workshop, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of key topics, including:
- Risk-Based Approach: Focus compliance and enforcement actions on specific harm-reduction objectives.
- Partnerships: Explore partnerships that can improve compliance in marine conserved areas.
- Compliance Management Tool: Develop a tool to ensure continued compliance improvement.
- Compliance and Enforcement Mechanisms: Understand the range of available mechanisms for effective compliance management.
- Mission and Strategic Planning: Learn how to conduct strategic planning to enhance compliance.
- Technology in Enforcement: Discover how to maximize the use of current and future technologies to improve compliance capabilities.
Training Methodology
The course uses interactive learning approaches to engage participants effectively. The methodology includes:
- Lectures, Seminars & Presentations: Insights from experts in the field.
- Group Discussions: Collaborative exploration of challenges and solutions.
- Individual Coursework and Group Assignments: Reinforcement of learning through assignments and group projects.
- Case Studies & Functional Exercises: Real-world scenarios to develop problem-solving skills.
- Practical Exercises in the Water: Field-based activities for a hands-on understanding of enforcement in marine environments.
Workshop Highlights
One of the key highlights of the workshop was a field trip to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park & Reserve on day three. Participants explored real-world enforcement and compliance issues, applying the concepts learned during the workshop in a practical setting. On day four, participants learned to use the risk assessment tool developed by WIOMSA to enhance their enforcement capabilities.
Conclusion
The Enforcement and Compliance Management Course offers an invaluable opportunity for marine conservation practitioners in the WIO region to improve their skills and knowledge. By the end of the workshop, participants will be better equipped to manage compliance and enforcement in their respective areas, leading to improved conservation outcomes for the region’s diverse marine ecosystems.
@BlueNatureAlliance
@JNCC
@JointNatureConservationCommittee
@havochvatten
@ KenyaWildlifeService KWS