WIOMPAN’s first ever international MPA exchange visit recently concluded, marking a significant step forward in marine protected area (MPA) management across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. This collaborative program, co-organized by the SPGA-Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Management Network (WIOMPAN), and supported by the Joint Nature Conservation
LEWA CONSERVANCY, KENYA – The African Ranger Congress (ARC) 2025, held from September 17th to 21st at the iconic Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, was a landmark event for rangers across the continent. Under the theme “Improving Ranger Welfare and Standards,” the congress served as a powerful platform for unity, learning, and advocacy. The WIOMPAN Kenya Chapter
Coral Garden Conservation (CGC) is a Mauritian NGO working to protect and restore coastal and marine ecosystems through a community-led, ridge-to-reef approach. Our work extends across the island, from voluntary marine conservation areas at St Félix and Le Morne to coastal planting initiatives that stabilise sandy beaches and strengthen natural resilience. This short film tells
Using the intersection between research into behaviour change and conservation, this short film draws on what the scientific community, across disciplines, has learnt and tackles issues including ocean pollution, acidification, chemical runoff into the sea, the loss of biodiversity, and the role of personal responsibility and self-efficacy. It is backed by science: Research shows us
From April 23 to May 3, 2025, the Hifadhi Blu Programme hosted its inaugural Collaborative Design Workshops, gathering grantees from across the Western Indian Ocean. Management teams from Kenya, Seychelles, South Africa, and Comoros convened to refine strategies for enhancing Marine Protected Area (MPA) management. Utilizing systems thinking and stakeholder-led design, each site developed customized
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
The South Africa WIOMPAN Chapter was officially launched on February 26–28, 2024, in East London, under the theme “Towards Strengthening Marine Protected Areas in the Region”. This initiative, supported by WIOMSA and WildTrust, marks a key step in fortifying the management and capacity of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Western Indian Ocean region. Highlights
The Madagascar National Chapter of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Area Professional Network (WIOMPAN) held a pivotal two-day meeting on November 27-28, 2023, hosted by Madagascar National Parks in Antananarivo. Organized in collaboration with the MIHARI network, the event brought together marine conservation managers, stakeholders, and representatives from government and NGOs to strengthen the
On October 30, 2023, the Mozambique Country Chapter of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Area Professional Network (WIOMPAN) convened at the Museum of Natural History in Maputo. Organized by Fundação Likhulu, this meeting aimed to strengthen local marine protected area (MPA) and locally managed marine area (LMMA) networks, foster a joint management approach, and
The Kenya Chapter of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Area Network (WIOMPAN) convened its National Steering Committee on August 30, 2024, to advance marine conservation efforts in line with global goals such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and SDG 14.5. Building on the outcomes of its inaugural 2023 meeting, the committee reviewed
