The recently concluded Regional Workshop on Reef Restoration Initiatives in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) for Lesson Sharing, Capacity Building, and Networking was a major success, setting the stage for future collaborations. Held in Zanzibar from July 16–18, 2024, the workshop brought together 41 coral reef restoration practitioners and key stakeholders from across the region, including eight members from local fishing communities.
Building on a series of reef restoration initiatives, such as fishers’ learning exchanges, virtual workshops, and WIOMSA Symposium Special Sessions (2017, Tanzania & 2022, South Africa), this event aimed to enhance regional collaboration and project effectiveness. It culminated in the creation of the WIO Coral Reef Restoration Network, a platform designed to promote collaboration, share knowledge, and improve restoration practices across the region.
With the WIO region accounting for nearly 6% of the world’s coral reefs (around 15,180 km²), the stakes are high. Coral reefs face significant threats from climate change, habitat degradation, and pollution, posing a grave risk to local communities and economies. The network’s objectives include increasing the capacity of its members, advancing policy advocacy, funding opportunities, and ensuring that coral reef interventions are both science-based and regionally coordinated.
Several key figures emphasized the workshop’s significance:
- Makame Omar Makame (Director of Marine Conservation, Zanzibar) highlighted the essential role of coral reefs in sustaining both local ecosystems and economies.
- Riziki Silas Shemdoe (Permanent Secretary, Tanzania Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries) urged the incorporation of workshop resolutions into national conservation agendas.
- Arthur Tuda (Executive Director, WIOMSA) underscored the importance of a regional network to ensure standardized restoration practices and avoid poorly planned projects.
George Maina, TNC Africa Fisheries Strategy Manager, noted, “This workshop has demonstrated a great model for scaling up effective reef restoration initiatives by leveraging local, regional, and global expertise to achieve national and global conservation agendas.”
The workshop was generously funded by The Nature Conservancy and co-hosted by a diverse group of partners, including the Reef Resilience Network, Mwambao Coastal Community Network, Northern Rangelands Trust, WIOMSA, and more.
For more information, contact:
Joan Kawaka, Marine Program Officer (WIO), The Nature Conservancy, Africa Region, joan.kawaka@tnc.org