Small-scale fisheries are critical for food security, livelihoods, and coastal economies across the Western Indian Ocean, supporting millions of people. Despite extensive data collection, fragmented and incompatible systems prevent countries from managing shared resources effectively. The policy brief highlights that urgent harmonization of fisheries data is needed to enable regional stock assessments and evidence-based policy, backed by strong political and institutional momentum.
Key recommendations include developing a core set of harmonized indicators, improving interoperability between existing data systems, and strengthening community engagement. Regional platforms like the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and the Consortium for the Conservation of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO-C) are identified as essential for scaling harmonization efforts. Read the full brief for actionable steps and insights.
