The Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA have released the region’s first MPA Outlook for the western Indian Ocean. The publication examines the current and future status of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at a regional level.
According to the report, the region has declared 143* marine and coastal areas as protected – an area covering 553,163 square kilometers, representing 7 percent of the total Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the region and an estimated 63 percent of the overall square kilometers – was brought under protection in the seven years since the 2015 adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 14.5, which committed countries to conserving at least 10 percent of their marine and coastal areas by 2020.
The publication gives momentum to the more ambitious target of 30 percent protection by 2030, as proposed under the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Download the publication below, and scroll to read about each country’s achievements.
* as at the time the publication was finalised.
Country chapters
Comoros
France
At present, Comoros has 1 MPA, Moheli Marine Park, which was declared in 2001 and designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Mwali Biosphere Reserve) in October 2020. The MPA covers 449.22 km2. Comoros continues its efforts to declare 3 more MPAs
France has 5 MPAs in the WIO region protecting 180 endangered or vulnerable species, coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass and more.
Kenya
Madagascar
Kenya’s 6 MPAs encompass 941 kms2 or 0.67% of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 24 coastal communities have created informal MPAs to conserve their fisheries and marine resources and secure alternative sources of income.
Madagascar boasts 22 MPAs protecting 14,451 kms2 of ocean and has committed to increasing land and marine protected areas from 1.7 million hectares to 6 million. It also has more than 200 locally managed marine areas.
Mauritius
Mozambique
Kenya’s 6 MPAs encompass 941 kms2 or 0.67% of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 24 coastal communities have created informal MPAs to conserve their fisheries and marine resources and secure alternative sources of income.
Madagascar boasts 22 MPAs protecting 14,451 kms2 of ocean and has committed to increasing land and marine protected areas from 1.7 million hectares to 6 million. It also has more than 200 locally managed marine areas.
Seychelles
South Africa
Seychelles declared 13 new MPAs in March 2020, together with the existing 16 MPAs, this increased the coverage of MPAs to 30% of its EEZ. More than 2600 species are protected in Seychelles’ waters.
South Africa’s 42 MPAs protect 15.5% total of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – this figure includes Prince Edward Islands and its associated MPA. Without Prince Edward Islands, South Africa has declared 41 MPAs covering 5.4% of its EEZ.
United Republic of Tanzania
Tanzania has 18 MPAs on the mainland and 19 collaborative fisheries management areas. These cover 1.98 % of Tanzania’s EEZ.