A new paper examining the state of knowledge of the social and economic effects of South African MPAs has been published in the African Journal of Marine Sciences. The study has reviewed the gazetted purposes and objectives of existing MPAs in South Africa to determine the extent to which social and economic objectives have been included.
As of 2021, over forty-five countries worldwide are either implementing or approving marine spatial plans – and dozens more laying the foundation – moving away from isolated sectoral management to an integrated planning framework for their maritime jurisdiction. Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a multi-sectoral participatory process and methodology for planning and management of ocean
The Sixth Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) Status of Coral Reefs of the World Report 2020 has been published. This flagship product of the GCRMN describes the status and trends of coral reefs worldwide. This sixth edition is the first since 2008, and the first based on the quantitative analysis of a global dataset
More than 60% of coral reefs globally are under immediate and direct threat (WRI, 2018). With some 500 million people depending directly on coral reefs for food and income, these populations are particularly vulnerable to reef-loss (‘poverty trap’). Well-managed and financed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are the cornerstones of international efforts to “replenish biodiversity and
The WIOMPAN interim steering committee held a meeting on 24th September 2021 to discuss the network’s activities over the next 6 months. Among the issues discussed were WIOMPAN’s participation in a joint knowledge sharing session at IMPAC 5 together with MedPAN, RAMPAO and Redparques; a special session dedicated to marine protected areas and locally managed marine areas
On September 22nd, 2021 a group of nearly 60 representatives from the West Indian Ocean region participated in the second Adaptive Management Seminar for Marine Protected Areas, hosted by the Nairobi Convention and the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM). This second seminar focused on how to engage stakeholders during the designation process
Dr. Bruce Mann, a fisherman and fish scientist at The Oceanographic Research Institute, based at SAAMBR, Durban has produced a new fish identification App that is designed especially for the South African marine angler, diver and fish enthusiast. How many times have you seen a fish and wished you knew what it was? Or wished that you could
ICLEI Africa would like to announce an online course on adapting to climate change and enhancing resilience. The stakes could not be higher for climate action in Africa – the impacts of climate change will put almost 50 percent of the continent’s GDP at risk by 2023. The continent is also expected to experience an average
Read all the compelling stories in the latest issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief! Here’s what we have featured in the September Newsbrief: the winners of the 2021 WIOMSA awards; the launch of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Outlook by the Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA; and the celebration of the first ever
Marine mammals play a crucial role in marine ecosystem function and climate change resilience by sequestering carbon through the consumption of energy rich plankton and fish. They provide valuable ecosystem services such as ecotourism. Conserving marine mammals provides significant economic, social and cultural benefits to coastal communities. Historically marine mammals have been severely impacted through
