The Western Indian Ocean Marine Conservation Programme (MARCOP) stands as a beacon of hope and progress for the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. As global attention focuses on the urgent need to protect and sustainably manage our oceans, MARCOP emerges as a comprehensive initiative aimed at ensuring the long-term governance, planning, and management of this vital marine area.
A Vision for Sustainable Marine Management
The primary goal of MARCOP is to deliver tailored environmental and management solutions that meet the specific needs of local, sub-national, and national partners across the WIO. This goal aligns with the Global Biodiversity Target 3, which aims to ensure that by 2030, at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. By recognizing indigenous and traditional territories where applicable, MARCOP integrates conservation efforts into broader landscapes and seascapes.
Implemented by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and Macquarie University, MARCOP operates within the ten WIO countries recognized by the Nairobi Convention: Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, and the Republic of South Africa. The programme focuses on building the capacity of these Eastern and South African nations to achieve sustainable development goals, biodiversity targets, and climate change adaptation strategies.
UN Ocean Decade Endorsement
MARCOP’s endorsement by the UN Ocean Decade initiative further underscores its significance. This endorsement aligns MARCOP with the Ocean Decade’s mission of generating the knowledge needed for sustainable ocean management. MARCOP addresses several key Ocean Decade Challenges:
- Challenge 2: Understanding the effects of multiple stressors on ocean ecosystems and developing solutions to monitor, protect, manage, and restore ecosystems and their biodiversity under changing conditions.
- Challenge 4: Generating knowledge, supporting innovation, and developing solutions for the equitable and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social, and climate conditions.
- Challenge 9: Ensuring comprehensive capacity development and equitable access to data, information, knowledge, and technology across all aspects of ocean science for all stakeholders.
Objectives and Strategic Work Packages
MARCOP’s objectives are clear and ambitious:
- Enhance Knowledge Uptake: Strengthening the capacity of WIO countries to adopt and implement dynamic ocean conservation solutions by fostering alliances and improving access to relevant data and information.
- Build Capacity for Sustainable Management: Developing and sustaining the capacity of WIO countries through technical, financial, and institutional support tailored to their specific needs.
- Translate Knowledge Outputs to Policy: Bridging the gap between science and policy by engaging with policymakers, stakeholders, and the broader community to integrate scientific findings into decision-making processes.
These objectives are realized through five strategic work packages:
- Work Package 1: Applied Socioecological Research: Addressing knowledge gaps through socioecological research that integrates oceanographic and climate modeling, geospatial analysis, conservation prioritization, and qualitative social science.
- Work Package 2: Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement: Building capacity at multiple levels to improve the uptake of scientific results and the implementation of effective and adaptive management strategies.
- Work Package 3: Knowledge Translation and Policy Integration: Facilitating the translation of scientific knowledge into actionable policies, prioritizing the enhancement and preservation of ocean and coastal ecosystems.
- Work Package 4: Monitoring and Compliance: Monitoring the progress and compliance of WIO countries with global policies and agreements, developing frameworks to assess the effectiveness of marine conservation initiatives.
- Work Package 5: Enhancing Ocean Knowledge for Sustainable Development: Accelerating the generation and use of ocean knowledge to contribute to sustainable development goals and complementary policy frameworks.
Ongoing Projects and Key Partners
MARCOP’s ongoing projects, such as the development of the Kenya-Tanzania Marine Transboundary Conservation Area, the review of the Marine Parks and Reserves Act of Tanzania, and the creation of MPA and Critical Habitats Outlook Reports, exemplify its commitment to addressing key knowledge gaps, building capacity, and translating scientific outputs into actionable policies.
The success of MARCOP relies on the collaboration with key technical partners like WIOMSA, Macquarie University, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, Foundations of Success, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the University of Rhode Island. Funding partners like the Blue Nature Alliance, Minderoo Foundation, and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee provide the necessary financial support to drive these initiatives forward.
Conclusion
MARCOP is more than just a conservation programme; it is a transformative initiative that aims to ensure a well-functioning, productive, resilient, and sustainable ocean for the WIO region. By addressing critical Ocean Decade Challenges and aligning with global sustainability goals, MARCOP stands as a vital player in the global effort to conserve and sustainably manage our oceans for future generations.
Join us in supporting MARCOP and be part of a brighter future for the Western Indian Ocean.
Feature Image: Plage Moya, Anjouan, Comoros. © Dahari
