Organized by IUCN as part of the Regenerative Seascapes for People, Nature, and Climate (ReSea) programme, the WIOMPAN Tanzania Workshop took place on February 20–21, 2025, in Dar es Salaam and brought together WIOMPAN members and LMMA practitioners. The ReSea initiative, implemented by Mission Inclusion (Mi) and IUCN across five Western Indian Ocean countries, is
During the recent Regenerative Ocean Week, WIOMSA and IUCN supported by the Blue Nature Alliance, organised a stakeholder workshop on the Legal and Institutional Recognition of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) to address governance challenges that hinder LMMA recognition. For nearly two decades, LMMAs have played a pivotal role
From 5th to 7th March 2025, the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), with support from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme, hosted the LMMA Competency Framework workshop in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The workshop brought together participants from Madagascar, Mozambique, and Kenya to strengthen local marine conservation efforts through
In March 2025, a workshop was held to solidify a regional network of learning institutions aimed at supporting coastal community capacity building across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. Organized by WIOMSA, WRTI, and IUCN, in partnership with WWF and CORDIO East Africa, the workshop addressed long-standing capacity gaps that had limited coastal communities from
The Hifadhi Blu initiative has completed Stage 2 submissions, with 8 out of 29 applicants having submitted their applications for the next phase. These candidates represent a diverse range of marine conservation efforts across the region. Selected sites include two MPAs from South Africa, one from Tanzania, one from Kenya, one from Comoros, and one
Ocean and coastal ecosystems are seriously threatened and affected by human activities. Yet, the ocean plays a crucial role in climate regulation, and more than 3.8 billion people live within 150 km of the shore, all depending on these ecosystems for their livelihood and food security. Based on this observation, the BNP Paribas Foundation has
The Likhulu Foundation has successfully mapped Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in Mozambique under the Blue Nature Alliance project, “Catalyzing Legal Recognition and Strengthening Management Effectiveness of LMMAs within the WIO Region.” This initiative is a major step toward enhancing marine conservation in the region by addressing crucial aspects of LMMA development including legal status,
The 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium is the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region’s premier event focused on marine and coastal science and management. Taking place in Mombasa, Kenya, from September 28th to October 3rd, 2025, the symposium will showcase innovative and impactful research on the theme, “One Ocean, One Future: Connecting People, Policy, and Science for
The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region has consistently set the pace in Marine Protected Area (MPA) management by fostering strong national organizations, academic programs, and NGO collaborations. Notably, the WIOMSA-led WIO-COMPAS professional certification has recognized MPA staff who excel in their roles, establishing clear benchmarks for competence. Building on this foundation, the new MPA Toolkit
The Marine Protected Areas (MPA) mentorship programme is set to launch soon, offering a valuable opportunity for MPA practitioners in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) to enhance their skills, knowledge, and professional networks. This initiative recognizes the critical role mentorship plays in building a well-equipped and motivated workforce capable of addressing the growing challenges in
