From December 9th to 12th, a significant gathering of sixty Marine Protected Area (MPA) professionals from across the Indian Ocean region—including Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Kenya, Mayotte, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rodrigues, and Tanzania—convened in Madagascar for a pivotal technical meeting. This workshop aimed to enhance community engagement and involvement in the protection of MPAs in these countries. WIOMPAN’s President, Mr. Allen Cedras attended the workshop representing the network and its continued collaboration on LMMAs.
The primary objectives of the workshop were to foster dialogue amongst MPA practitioners regarding effective management modalities and to establish a comprehensive glossary of Other Effective Conservation-Based Measures (OECMs) relevant to the region. Additionally, participants analysed the challenges and issues faced by individual MPAs and worked collaboratively to devise innovative solutions and strategies for implementation. OECMs play a crucial role in achieving the global 30×30 target, which strives for the effective and equitable management of at least 30% of land and sea areas—particularly those vital for biodiversity. This initiative emphasized the importance of creating well-connected conservation systems that can support ecological integrity.
The workshop was organized by IUCN in collaboration with Réserves Naturelles de France (RNF) and supported by the VARUNA programme, and was jointly supported by partners such as the MIHARI Network, the Foundation for Marine Protected Areas and Biodiversity of Madagascar, and the Madagascar National Parks. The event featured technical discussions, collaborative workshops, and field visits to enhance practical understanding.