This year, the VARUNA programme, implemented by Expertise France and financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), made a significant contribution to marine conservation capacity building in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. By partnering with WIOMPAN, VARUNA facilitated the region’s first French-language WIO-COMPAS event, a landmark achievement in addressing the need for Francophone certification opportunities for Marine Protected Area (MPA) professionals.
WIO-COMPAS (Western Indian Ocean Certification of Marine Protected Area Professionals) is a rigorous programme designed to assess and certify MPA practitioners based on proven performance in the field. Unlike training courses, it evaluates demonstrated expertise across core competencies, conferring the respected title of MPA PRO to successful candidates.
The Francophone WIO-COMPAS event, held in Mauritius from 1–4 August 2024, drew 15 dedicated MPA practitioners from Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, and Comoros. Supported by VARUNA, WIOMSA, and the Blue Nature Alliance, the event featured Level 1 assessments for rangers and Level 2 assessments for MPA managers. To further enhance the region’s capacity, a two-day assessor training workshop preceded the main event, preparing more French-speaking assessors to support ongoing certification needs.
After thorough consideration, 11 candidates achieved certification as MPA PROs, bringing the total number of certified professionals in the WIO region to 149. This accomplishment reflects a growing community of skilled MPA professionals committed to excellence in marine management.
WIOMPAN extends its sincere gratitude to VARUNA for its critical support in delivering this groundbreaking Francophone certification event. By halting biodiversity loss and enhancing professional standards in the southwestern Indian Ocean, VARUNA’s contributions are empowering MPA professionals to protect the region’s invaluable marine resources for future generations.