Blog

WIOMSA wishes you a happy International Day of Forests! On this important day, we spotlight the mangrove forests of the WIO region which cover one million hectares and constitute 5% of the world’s mangrove forests. These forests are crucial ecosystems that serve as carbon sinks, habitats and offer much needed shoreline protection. WIOMSA’s publication “Mangroves...Read More

The Marine Mammal Twinning, part of the Ocean Governance  project, is pleased to co-host a webinar with WIOMSA and WIOMPAN on 13th April 2023 at 10.00 am GMT (12.00 pm EAT). The webinar will introduce the Marine Mammals Management Toolkit as an innovative tool for effectively managing marine mammals in and around MPAs in the Western Indian Ocean. Register...Read More

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and their partner Mwambao, are implementing a multi-million Euro, 4.5-year project funded by the Blue Action Fund (BlueAction) and seeks to hire staff for two positions: Grant Manager, BlueAction Project FFI is seeking an experienced Grant Manager to oversee delivery of this BlueAction grant entitled ‘Increasing socio-ecological resilience through community-led management...Read More

Are you passionate about protecting and restoring marine biodiversity in the Western Indian Ocean?  Share your innovative solutions by participating in the UpLink Great Blue Wall Challenge!  This challenge calls for ocean-positive startups and social enterprises which contribute to the sustainability and resilience of the Western Indian Ocean, aligning with the Great Blue Wall Initiative and...Read More

WCS Kenya, the Nature Conservancy and partners have a national project working with all 90 fishing communities, government agencies, and all local NGOs to explore what an optimal network of voluntary community closures might look like considering ecological systems and social capacity. A key part of the work is to assess community governance capacity in...Read More

The International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) is pleased to announce the M& E training program and scholarship opportunities for 2023 : A 2-week onsite program, which includes a week-long Core Course and a week of workshops, to be held from July 10 – 21, 2022 in Bern, Switzerland. The deadline for application to the on-site program is May...Read More

Can marine conservation and women’s advocacy go hand in hand? Part of CORDIO’s work is to explore possible synergies among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the project ‘’Empowering women in community based natural resource management’’. CORDIO trained women on alternate, localized business models, and encouraged their active participation in local fisheries management. Watch a...Read More

The African Network of Deep-water Researchers, an initiative under the UN Decade endorsed Challenger 150 Programme , is pleased to invite you to its official launch. The network has been established with the aims of: Facilitating and strengthening collaborations between African institutions and individuals active or interested in deep-sea and offshore research; Supporting and enhancing opportunities...Read More

As part of the endorsed International Whaling Commissions Conservation Committee work programme on Anthropogenic Underwater Noise, a questionnaire has been developed to compile global data on marine seismic surveys for hydrocarbon exploration, including ongoing and planned activities for the next five years [2023-2028]. The aim of this questionnaire is to compile information in order to...Read More

A session entitled Larval fishes – solving phylogenetic, life-cycle and ecological questions will be part of the XI Indo-Pacific Fish Conference to be held in Auckland, New Zealand from 22-24 November 2023. Most marine bony fishes have a two-phase life history with pelagic larvae that differ in morphology, ecology and habitat from the adults.  These phases operate...Read More

WIOMSA  is pleased to announce a consultancy  to conduct research on gender-based challenges and opportunities in small scale fisheries in the Tanga-Pemba Seascape area, Tanzania. The consultancy aims to undertake a gender assessment and develop a plan of action to promote gender equality in small-scale fisheries (SSF) and management of marine and coastal ecosystems in...Read More

In celebration of the International Women’s Day 2023, the Network for Women in Marine Science (WiMS) invites you to join us for panel discussions and reflections on embracing equity and recognizing the progress in breaking the barriers across various fields to create an equitable and inclusive world. The panel will feature changemakers from diverse backgrounds...Read More

We are pleased to announce the release of the latest issue of the Western Indian Journal of Marine Science (WIOJMS). Volume 21, Issue 2 of WIOJMS contains the following articles: Supplementation of probiotics in Nile tilapia fingerling cultivation subjected to microbial challenge. Angélica A. Jossefa, Ivan C. Nerantzoulis, Aidate Mussagy Retained fish catches of artisanal...Read More

Ahead of the International Women’s Day, the Women in Marine Science Network (WiMS) is pleased to announce a webinar on Tuesday 7th March 2023. The event will take place at 11:00-12:30 EAT and feature panel discussions and round table reflections on #EmbracingEquity. Join the conversation by registering to attend here. Share this:Click to share on...Read More

The CMS Dugong MOU is excited to announce a new call for project concepts that aim to support community-led activities that address key threats to dugongs and seagrass. The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and their Habitats throughout their Range of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild...Read More

Join the BILLFISH-WIO project in the latest edition of the “Café-Science” panel at Alliance Francaise, Mombasa, on Friday 24th February 2023 at 6pm. The project investigators, Dr Nina Wambiji and Dr Nelly Kadagi, will be sharing findings from their research and highlighting opportunities for collaboration and improvement in billfish fisheries in the western Indian Ocean....Read More

The Marine Regions Forum team has created a survey for all coastal and ocean stakeholders in the Western Indian Ocean region. The aim of the survey is to engage key needs and interests in preparation for the second Marine Regions Forum conference that will take place in person in the region towards the end of this year. Please follow...Read More

At its 44th meeting on 2 February 2023, the 8th WIOMSA Board of Trustees elected Ms. Marie-May Jeremie as its next president. Dr. Blandina Lugendo was elected treasurer, while Dr. Nina Wambiji was elected vice president. Ms Marie-May currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust. She is...Read More

Hauwezi kuvuka ziwa hadi uwe na ujasiri wa kutouona urefu wa pwani. You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore (Swahili Proverb) The  South African Research Chair (SARCHI) in Ocean Cultures and Heritage is pleased to announce a call for papers for  “ Water Ways: An...Read More

The Women in Marine Science Network (WiMS) invites you to a webinar to celebrate the International Day for Women and Girls in Science (IDWGIS). The webinar will be held on 10th February 2023 at 1100-1230 HRS (EAT). The theme of the event is “Bringing everyone forward for sustainable and equitable development”. IDWGIS aims to encourage...Read More

The SCOR Secretariat invites proposals for new working groups to commence activities in late 2023. Deadline for submission: 12 May 2023. Click here for instructions, guidelines, and a template to help prepare the proposals. The selection of the new SCOR working groups will take place at the 2023 SCOR Annual Meeting scheduled to take place in Busan, Korea, on 17-19 October...Read More

The deadline for applications for all WWF’s Education for Nature 2023 Science Capacity and Leadership Grants has now been extended to February 15 2023 by 11:59 PM ET. Special for this call for application are two fellowships aimed at enhancing conservation capacity throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Please review brief details of each...Read More

In April-May 2023, the R/V Roger Revelle will be sailing from Cape Town, South Africa, to Port Louis, Mauritius, to collect in-situ observations in the Madagascar Basin. This joint cruise is part of the East Madagascar Current (EMC) and Deep Madagascar Basin (DMB) Experiments, both funded by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and endorsed...Read More

The IOC UNESCO is pleased to announce a vacancy notice for a professional post, under the job title Head of the IOCAFRICA Secretariat at  P-4 level, based in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the overall authority of the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the direct supervision of the Head, IOC Marine Policy and...Read More

The Marine Research and Higher Education  (MaRHE) Centre is pleased to announce a workshop targeting professionals and students working on coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. The workshop “Coral Reef Fishes: Identification, Ecology, and Challenges in a Warming Ocean” will be held at MaRHE Center from 23th to 31th March 2023. The upcoming edition will be led by Dr....Read More

UNEP’s ground-breaking seventh Global Environment Outlook is  calling for authors, review editors, fellows and collaborating centres to assess how to implement solutions in the global energy, food and materials/waste systems and their supporting economic and financial models, rather than continuing to examine what needs to be done. Experts on ocean and marine systems are invited to join...Read More

The Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies has an opening for a  research manager. The position will be based in Benguerra island, Mozambique. For further information on the post and to submit your application; please contact Dr. Mario Lebrato, mario.lebrato@bcssmz.org. Download the terms of reference for the post.     Share this:Click to share on Twitter...Read More

The School of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Sciences and the National Environment Management Council (NEMC),  is organizing a “Regional Training Workshop on Shoreline Change Management for Coastal Municipalities Officials”. The workshop is sponsored by WIOMSA, through its Cities and Coasts Project, and...Read More

Are you an Early Career Ocean Professional? Apply now to the inaugural Professor Mário Ruivo Memorial Lecture APPLY NOW: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 13 FEBRUARY 2023 Travel and accommodation will be sponsored for the winning applicant to present her/his research at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, in front of Governments, partners and stakeholders at the 32nd...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean marine science community has lost a valued socio-economist, mentor and friend. On 10th January 2023, Prof Kassim Athman Ally Kulindwa passed away peacefully in India, after a long and brave battle with cancer. At the time of his death, Kassim was the chair of WIOMSA’s Marine and Coastal Science for Management...Read More

Are you interested in honing your user research skills while learning about cutting-edge developments in technology to address illegal fishing? Do you have a passion for applying technology to do good in the world? If so, an internship on the Skylight team at AI2 may be the perfect opportunity. The Skylight team will be reviewing...Read More

The Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University has 4 PhD stipends on offer in marine bioacoustics. The  stipends are part of a 4-year research project entitled “The Quieter Western Indian Ocean” (QWIO), funded by the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM). The 4 PhD theses will comprise the following: Underwater ship noise...Read More

We are pleased to announce the release of the first volume of the Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform series “Transitioning to a Sustainable Blue Economy in the WIO Region: Addressing the challenges and harnessing opportunities”. Volume 1, Issue 1 of the series -officially launched during the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium in South Africa- ...Read More

Mercator Ocean International (a key partner of the GEMS ocean and data hub on essential ocean variables) is hosting the UN Ocean Decade, Ocean Prediction Centre kick off meeting. The meeting will be held on  January 11th & 12th 2023.  The Ocean Prediction official launch will be hosted on a collaborative platform and will be an interactive event...Read More

We are delighted  to announce that the December issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief has been published. This issue of the Newsbrief  features WIOMSA at COP 27 in Egypt  where we unveiled the Report on Ocean Acidification monitoring in the Western Indian Ocean. Other key features  include a spotlight on our newly elected Board members and...Read More

WIOMSA, in collaboration with Universidade Lúrio and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, is pleased to announce a call for applications for a training titled “Training workshop: “Common sense in urban planning linked with waste management”. The workshop will take a “learning by doing/ solutions in practice” approach, focused on Pemba city,  Mozambique. The training  aims to provide...Read More

A special issue of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science (WIOJMS) has been published!  WIOJMS Special Issue 1 2022 on Ocean and coastal governance in the Western Indian Ocean has been guest edited by Louis Celliers and Shannon Hampton and is dedicated to the outputs of the West Indian Ocean Governance and Exchange Network...Read More

The WIOMSA board is excited to announce the appointment of new trustees to the WIOMSA Trust Fund to energise the trust and bring diversity to its management. Angelique Pouponneau and Dr. Julius Francis were appointed to the four member WIOMSA Trust effective from 1st November 2022. Ms. Pouponneau comes on board as a first-time trustee. ...Read More

Western Indian Ocean Certification of Marine Protected Area Professionals (WIO-COMPAS)  programme is pleased to announce that applications for Level 1 and Level 2 certification, for the year 2023 are now open.  The certification assessment events will be offered in March and October 2023. Level 2 certification is open to marine protected area professionals (MPA) from...Read More

We are delighted to announce the release of our Annual Report for 2021.  This special report focuses on WIOMSA’s progress in 2021, and reflects on its successes, challenges and opportunities. Key features include a summary of WIOMSA’s investment and impact in numbers, regional actions to promote the Blue Economy and efforts to achieve SDGs, Science to Policy...Read More

WIOMSA is excited to share a new short-interview series titled “Blue Sessions”. The segment features interviews with ocean leaders from various sectors sharing their insights, reflections and solutions to address the challenges that face the coastal and marine environment in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) region and beyond. Blue sessions will focus on advances in...Read More

Kickstarting our Blue Sessions is Dr. Nelly Isigi Kadagi who highlights the need for the inclusion of diverse voices in the Ocean Decade, keeping the door open and supporting small scale fisheries. The session contains excerpts from Dr. Kadagi’s keynote presentation at the WIOMSA Symposium.     Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in...Read More

Action Room 1, Climate Action Zone, Blue Zone On Wednesday 16 November 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, Egypt time, the High-level Climate Champions, the MPGCA for Ocean and Coastal Zones and the Ocean & Climate Platform, together with partners, will host the Ocean Action Day: “Ocean for Climate – Implementing ocean-based climate action...Read More

WIOMSA will take part in the International Ocean Alliance Side Event “OA Action: Increasing ambition for climate action and transforming response to climate-ocean change”. The event takes place at the Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone, November 14, 2022, 3:00pm-4:30pm EET. Dr. Arthur Tuda, WIOMSA’s Executive Secretary, will be part of a panel discussion on “Commitments to OA Science,...Read More

WIOMSA is pleased to announce the release of a new report “The Ocean Acidification monitoring report” which presents the research results of the WIOMSA supported ocean acidification projects in Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania. The research provides a baseline that will foster the development of an integrated science strategy for ocean acidification...Read More

The Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) is receiving applications for the SCOR 2023 Visiting Scholar program. The SCOR Visiting Scholar program enlists the services of ocean scientists, from both developed countries and developing countries, to teach short courses and to provide more extended on-site education and mentorship at developing country institutions. This program is...Read More

The 12th WIOMSA Symposium (#WIOMSA2022) was a monumental gathering for Western Indian Ocean Science!  Drawing 954 attendees, the diversity, expertise and interdisciplinarity of #WIOScience was uniquely represented by all involved. There were 150 oral and 315 poster presentations in 56 thematic sessions at the 12th Symposium. Added onto 31 special sessions, 6 book launches and...Read More

Leading marine researchers and scientists caution that it’s make-or-break for Africa’s governments to enact and enforce ocean policies. Marine experts from around the world met in Gqeberha, South Africa, for a week in October for a symposium on the importance of cutting-edge science and innovation in underpinning marine conservation policy decisions in Africa. Africa’s foremost...Read More

AU-IBAR has commissioned a study on the Role of Women in Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Management. The study will be an input for the development of a continental strategy to support gender mainstreaming in the Blue Economy. The questions can be accessed on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XDPNGWN. The survey closes on 31st October 2022....Read More

We are excited to share the first issue of the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium Newsletter. This issue will bring you up to date with the latest developments on the event including: a welcome note from the WIOMSA President, what to expect on the programme, summaries and invitations to special sessions and mini-symposia, keynote presentations and much...Read More

All roads lead to #WIOMSA 2022! WIOMSA is pleased to open a call for articles for the 12th WIOMSA Symposium Newsletter. Do you have an upcoming presentation, book launch, special session, exhibition or mini symposium? The Symposium Newsletter is the perfect platform to highlight your event. Email secretary@wiomsa.org with your article (no more than 500...Read More

Our partner, Sustainable Seas Trust is passionate about creating networks of empowered individuals and organisations across Africa; committed to valuing our seas and safeguarding them for all who depend on them for their livelihood. Check out their latest news and resources to encourage and inspire you in your own efforts to stop plastics from entering...Read More

Background  Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is looking to hire a Knowledge Management Lead for the USAID/Tanzania Heshimu Bahari Project led by Chemonics International Inc. The five-year project will acquire technical, material, and grant management services that support and strengthen capacity for marine biodiversity conservation to i) build the capacity of the public sector and civil...Read More

As part of the MAEO project (Observatory of Elasmobranchs within the Mascarene Archipelago), ARBRE association and the FFESSM commissions “Underwater Environment and Bio” and “Underwater Photo-Video”, in partnership with La Réunion Marine Protected Area and Sciences Réunion, are launching an international underwater photo contest on the theme “Elasmobranchs and large pelagics“. This contest, open to...Read More

We risk losing 75% to 90% of the remaining coral reefs. Our window of opportunity for saving the corals is rapidly closing and we need innovative technical solutions and large-scale wide interventions. The G20 Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP) has launched its first funded call for proposals to make an impact in filling...Read More

WIOMSA is pleased to announce that the posters accepted for the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium will be presented online as E-posters.  Electronic Posters or E-Posters are similar to traditional paper posters, but these will be displayed on-site on multiple large LCD television screens in the E-Poster area at the Board Walk Convention Center. For this...Read More

Sustainable Seas Trust will be hosting an interactive Training Workshop on the methods described in its newly released Sample Preparation Manual for the analysis of plastic-related pollutants, such as heavy metals and bisphenols. The manual has specifically been designed to provide SIMPLE, DETAILED and VISUAL step-by-step protocols ideal for early career researchers. If this is you, the manual is aimed to assist you in...Read More

The Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean will be officially launched online at the Annual Smith Memorial Lecture TIME: 18h00 SOUTH AFRICAN STANDARD TIME DATE: 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqd–rqDIqE9FXhIt4AoUWdD-aaiDK0LLE Detailed information and programme to follow ALL LINKS WILL GO LIVE DURING THE EVENT Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean follows...Read More

The Network of Women in Marine Science (WiMS) is pleased to invite participants to the 12th WIOMSA Symposium participants to a cocktail event on Sunday, 9 October from 19:30 at the Board Walk Convention Centre, South Africa. Please join WiMS in a pre-Symposium event to celebrate the achievements of the WiMS community, meet and greet...Read More

 Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 21 (1) is out! The issue contains the following 10 articles : Abundance, spatial distribution and threats to Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in an Important Marine Mammal Area in Tanzania Magreth P. Kasuga, Modest D. Varisanga, Tim R.B. Davenport, Narriman Jiddawi, Gill T. Braulik 1-14 Use of...Read More

A Call for applications for the Summer School  on “Generating impact in complex natural resource contexts: co-design and development of transdisciplinary research projects”  is open. 24 October – 1 November 2022 | online Target group: PhD candidates and post-doctoral scientists This 1.5 week summer school will be all about collaboration in a Global North/South setting and...Read More

The 2022 call for applications for an Early-Career Scientist (ECS) to join the SCOR Executive Committee is still open for a few more days! The ECS in the SCOR Executive Committee will help reaching out to the broader early-career community and get it involved into SCOR activities. Position Description: The early-career scientist will have the same...Read More

The  special edition of the WIOMSA Newsbrief that was published on 4th August 2022 contained errors in the candidate profiles. WIOMSA wishes to sincerely apologise for this.  A corrected version is included in this post. Download the WIOMSA Newsbrief.   Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens...Read More

A special edition of the WIOMSA Newsbrief has been published. The purpose of the issue is to notify WIOMSA members about the approaching election for the WIOMSA Board of Trustees. The term of the current Board is coming to an end in October 2022. The process of electing the new board began in April 2022...Read More

To tackle the continued threats faced by marine mammals, the Marine Mammal Twinning, (https://marine-mammals.info/the-marine-mammal-twinning/), within the framework of the EU-funded Ocean Government project (https://oceangovernance4mpas.eu/), has developed a toolkit (www.marine-mammals.info) to build technical capacities and support MPA managers in understanding the level of protection afforded to marine mammals through their MPA management plans, driving the effective...Read More

“The Marine Mammals of Tanzania and Zanzibar – an Illustrated Guide and Natural History” by Tim Davenport, is the first of its kind specifically targeting the United Republic of Tanzania. The book was conceived in 2013 during the writing of “A Guide to the Large Mammals of Tanzania’ when the authors identified 18 species of...Read More

WIOMSA is pleased to announce the release of a special issue of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science (WIOJMS). The issue,  Studies on the Mascarene Plateau, has been guest edited by Professor Ranjeet Bhagooli. The focus of the special issue is on the major research findings of a research cruise conducted from on...Read More

New Publication: State of Mangroves in the WIO Wetlands International is pleased to announce the release of a new report: The State of Mangroves in the Western Indian Ocean. This new report, developed as part of the Save our Mangroves Now! Initiative, in collaboration with the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) partners and building on the data of the Global Mangrove Watch Platform...Read More

We are pleased to announce that the call for exhibitors at the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium is now open to projects, organisations and businesses involved in the marine and coastal sectors. Exhibiting at the Symposium presents industry players with prime opportunities to showcase their work, enhance their brand image and create new connections within the western...Read More

We mourn the passing of  a friend to the WIO region, a WIOMSA  and MASMA Programme Committee member, Dr. Jesper Vasell. At the time of his death, Jesper was director of the KTH Global Development hub in Sweden and Kenya. Before joining KTH, he was the Innovation Office Director at Chalmers University of Technology. Jesper...Read More

In this issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief, we cover the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, the African Marine Waste Network conference “Towards Zero Plastics to the Seas of Africa,” and the regional kick-off conference on the UN Decade of Ocean Science in Cairo. We share highlights from recently published papers, news from our regional partners,...Read More

Invitation to a Webinar on “Connecting to heal our Oceans in the WIO region” The Western Indian Ocean Early Career Scientists Network (WIO-ECSN), and its country chapter of Tanzania invite you to a webinar which aims to connect youth, ocean advocates, conservationists, academicians, researchers, activists, government officials, early-career ocean professionals, and all potential stakeholders, from...Read More

Seventy five- students- among them, eleven, from the Western Indian Ocean region- are today starting an exciting expedition on board the RV Marion Dufrense!  The  students have been selected as part of  the “École bleu outremer, Cap sur l’Océan Indien”;  an interdisciplinary, inter-professional and international floating university project. The programme’s primary goal is to promote...Read More

The second UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, starts next week from 27 June to 1 July. To mobilize action, the Conference will seek to propel much-needed science-based innovative solutions aimed at starting a new chapter of global ocean action. With over 5,000 ocean advocates anticipated to attend, including world leaders,...Read More

WIOMSA has opened its 12th WIOMSA Symposium Photography Competition for submissions! The contest was launched on 5th June in celebration of World Environment Day 2022.  Plugging into the “Only One Earth” theme, and the essential role that the ocean and ocean science play in the planet’s functioning, the focus of the photo competition is  “A...Read More

The Sokoine University of Agriculture in collaboration with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association is hosting a regional training on “Capacity Building on Environmental Flows Assessment in Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Countries” on 20 August 2022 to  30 August 2022.  The course will benefit professionals working in water resource management, environmental conservation, and/or research....Read More

Chumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries Zanzibar,  the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and the French Embassy in Dar es Salaam is organizing an Ocean art contest in line with the UN World Oceans Day theme 2022 “Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean: Shedding...Read More

The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, would like to draw attention to the convening, under the auspices of the United Nations, of regional Workshops (the “Workshops”) in support of the third cycle of the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the...Read More

WIOMSA is pleased to announce that nominations for the WIOMSA Board of Trustees are now being accepted. Only members in good standing (paying members and registered students) are eligible to nominate, be nominated, and vote in the election, according to WIOMSA’s electoral rules. Each WIOMSA member may recommend up to four candidates, one for each...Read More

The Call for Abstract and Mini Symposium Proposals submissions for the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium ends tomorrow- 22 April 2022! For more information on abstract submissions, please review the abstract submission guidelines on the WIOMSA Symposium website.  All abstracts are submitted online on the EXBO Platform where each author will need to register  and log...Read More

The Government of Madagascar has taken an important step towards fisheries transparency by publishing a list of industrial vessels authorised to fish in the country’s waters. This list, detailing 39 vessels permitted to catch shrimp for the 2022 season, is the latest in a series of commitments aimed at securing a more sustainable future for fisheries in the...Read More

We are pleased to announce the release of the first issue of the 2022 WIOMSA Newsbrief series! The  Newsbrief features some insightful stories from WIOMSA and partners in the region. We have showcased the launch of the Climate Change Policy and Adaptation Planning for Mombasa County Government, Kenya. We highlight a story from the next...Read More

Dr. Jacqueline Uku, the WIOMSA President, welcomes delegates to the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium that will take place in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa on 10-15 October 2022. Organised by WIOMSA, the Sustainable Seas Trust and the Nairobi Convention, the theme of this year’s symposium is “A New Decade of Western Indian Ocean Science”. The...Read More

WIOMSA and NEKTON are co-hosting a webinar on deep-sea research in the Western Indian Ocean. .Deep-reef  and deep-sea habitats comprise  more than 95% of habitable space on the planet and convey many benefits to society such as regulating our planet’s climate and providing vital fisheries for growing economies. Currently, they are poorly explored and remain largely unprotected,...Read More

WIOMSA, the Sustainable Seas Trust and the Nairobi Convention are pleased to invite proposals for special sessions at the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium  to be held in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa on 10-15 October 2022. 14th October 2022 has been set aside for special sessions convened by projects, programmes and organisations to discuss topical...Read More

By Eunice Ogada and Clifford Ochiel (COMRED)  Climate change is a major global issue that requires interventions, adaptation, and mitigation actions to limit its adverse effects to secure the future of our planet.  With the emanating negative impacts of climate change, the County government of Mombasa unveiled the Governors’ Young Leaders’ Program (GYLP) hosted by...Read More

There is one month to go to submit an abstract for the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium! If you would like to share your work with delegates at the WIOMSA Symposium in South Africa, in October 2022, you have just one month to write and submit  an abstract for oral and poster presentations or to convene...Read More

Ocean Challenge for Africa 📣 Applications for the #OceanChallenge4Africa are only open until March 22nd. This is your LAST CHANCE to register for the marine-themed hackathon.  #OceanChallenge4Africa is a 48-hour event where teams work from idea to prototype with the help of expert mentors. We’re welcoming people from all backgrounds with any skill sets. All...Read More

Today marks International Women’s Day, and the theme is: Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow. During the month of March 2022, the Women in Marine Science Network (WiMS) will showcase some of the empowering work that work women in marine science in the Western Indian Ocean Region are embarking on to #breakthebias and empower...Read More

Join the IOC UNESCO for a Special Instagram Live Interview with Dr. Jacqueline Uku- the WIOMSA President and the co-chair of the Editorial Board of the latest issue of Global Ocean Science Report (GOSR). Dr. Uku will be discussing the role of women in building ocean knowledge and the findings of the GOSR. The interview...Read More

Workshop on Observing the Coastal and Marginal Seas in the Western Indian Ocean including the Arabian/Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman A Regional Training Workshop on ‘Observing the Coastal and Marginal Seas in the Western Indian Ocean including the Arabian/Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman’ will be organised in a hybrid format on 7th...Read More

  A study of primary productivity in Kenya’s territorial waters has demonstrated that upwelling is associated with high fisheries output. Scientists from ten institutions in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, the United Kingdom and the United States of America collaborated in the Productivity in the East African Coastal Current under Climate Change (PEACC) project that produced...Read More

The Great Blue Wall Side Event at the Eighth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development The Great Blue Wall (GBW) Initiative is pleased to invite you to a side event on “Unlocking the regenerative potential of blue economies by establishing new kinds of People-Planet-Partnerships.” The objective of the side event is to...Read More

The Blue Economy Research Institute, University of Seychelles (BERI) and Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) are pleased to invite you to a virtual seminar on Researching the Seychelles marine environment: perspectives on Blue Economy, fisheries, and coral reefs. The seminar will take place on Thursday, 10 March 2022 (09.30-11.00 GMT/ 13:30-15:00 SCT via Zoom)  Over the years,...Read More

WIOMSA, through its Cities and Coasts (C& C) project is pleased to announce a call for proposals to support the organization of training courses and writing workshops. WIOMSA is implementing the five year C&C Project (2018-2022), that aims to assist the countries of the western Indian Ocean (WIO) to achieve SDG 11 on sustainable cities and...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean Certification of Marine Protected Area Professionals (WIO-COMPAS) Programme is pleased to announce the offering of a Level 1 Certification event for MPA Rangers, Officers or Marine Field Operators. The Certification Assessment Event will be held in Kisite Mpunguti MPA, Shimoni, Kenya on  22-25 April 2022 . The deadline for submission of...Read More

At its 42nd meeting, the WIOMSA Board approved the process of amending the WIOMSA Constitution. Article 17 of the WIOMSA constitution allows the Association’s members to submit amendments to the constitution. The latest substantial constitutional revision was in 2013 and was adopted in Maputo, Mozambique, at the 5th WIOMSA General Assembly. Since then, many things have...Read More

Request for proposals: WWF Feasibility study for a BMZ-BENGO WWF Kenya is in the process of sourcing for proposals for a consultant to conduct a Feasibility Study for a BMZ-BENGO Project. Prices quoted should be net inclusive of all costs and taxes, must be expressed in Kenya shillings or in dollars and shall remain valid...Read More

ECOP-AFRICA INVENTORY The Early Career Ocean Professionals Programme – African Regional Node (ECOP-Africa) is conducting a survey on the inventory of ECOPs in Africa, and to understand the ECOPs’ needs, priorities and challenges.  ECOPS in the WIO are requested to participate in the survey and to share the link with other potential ECOPs so as...Read More

WIOMSA and the Africa Marine Waste Network  are pleased to announce the release of the latest issue of the  WIOMSA Litter Catch Up newsletter. The monitoring programme for marine debris is the first of its kind in Africa and could well be the first in the world, in that teams in seven countries (Kenya, Madagascar,...Read More

Have you submitted your abstract for the Southern African Marine Science Symposium (SAMSS 2022)? The  deadline for submissions is 15 February 2022! SAMSS Vision 2022: SAMSS Symposium 20 – 24 June 2022 Marine Science is at a crossroads. Recent technological advances are driving new fields of biological endeavour with the aim of addressing current environmental and...Read More

The WWF Education for Nature (EFN) Program is pleased to announce the launch of two new grant opportunities through WWF’s Education for Nature Program!  A brief synopsis for each is available below along with links to full eligibility requirements and the application instructions. NEW! The Caroline Goldman Cassagnol Fellowship This fellowship supports EFN alumni who wish...Read More

The Editorial Board of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science (WIOJMS) is pleased to announce the publication of WIOJMS Volume 20, Issue 2 (2021). The issue contains the following articles: Assessment of reef fish and benthic cover of the North and South Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves system before the 2016 El Niño....Read More

WIOMSA, through its Marine and Coastal Science for Management (MASMA) Programme is pleased to announce a call for proposals to support the organization of training courses and writing workshops. WIOMSA and its partners have been at the forefront of creating and pioneering innovative capacity development programs that improve individual professional capability and thereby organizational management...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), the Sustainable Seas Trust and the Nairobi Convention are pleased to make the second announcement and call for abstracts for the Twelfth WIOMSA Scientific Symposium. The Symposium will be held as a hybrid virtual/ in-person Symposium at the Boardwalk Convention Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa...Read More

Last week an article was published on “COP27 must deliver climate finance where it is needed most” in Mongabay. The article was written by our program manager for the Cities and Coasts Project, Dr. Valentine Ochanda, together with Sally Yozell (Environmental Security program at Stimson Center) and Jack Stuart (Environmental Security program). While it’s critical that adaptation financing...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) are pleased to announce the launch of the Plastics Training Workshop as an interactive online course. Have you ever wished that you had a better understanding of plastics and plastic pollution? If you are a decision-maker, a manager, researcher, educator, or involved...Read More

The Editorial Board of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science (WIOJMS) is pleased to announce the release of Special Issue 1/2021 on Socio-ecological change in estuaries of the Western Indian Ocean(WIO). The Special Issue has been guest edited by Dr Johan Groeneveld. The special issue is based on research undertaken by the Estuarize-WIO ...Read More

KMFRI in collaboration with Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen (ZMT) are inviting applications for a regional training workshop on Fish Barcoding and Functional Ecology. The workshop focuses on compiling and sharing both theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory skills. Participants will gain advanced skills to quantify the taxonomic and functional structure of marine fish...Read More

Coastal cities are gateways of trade and transport of countries in the WIO region and sites of key economic activity and infrastructure including ports, airports, hotels and fish markets, as well as providing the workforce that supports key blue economy sectors. The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association and UN Habitat, in partnership with the...Read More

We are delighted to announce the publication of the December 2021 WIOMSA Newsbrief! The WIOMSA Newsbrief contains several interesting stories from WIOMSA and  partners for the October-December quarter. Here’s what is featured in the Newsbrief: the 2021 MASMA and Cities and Coasts Grantees meeting, the Western Indian Ocean Certification of Marine Protected Area Professionals (WIO-COMPAS)...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) are pleased to announce the launch of the Plastics Training Workshop as an interactive online course. Have you ever wished that you had a better understanding of plastics and plastic pollution? If you are a decision-maker, a manager, researcher, educator, or involved...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) in partnership with  IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) through funding from the Irish Embassy in Dar es Salaam-Tanzania, is pleased to announce a consultancy for scoping, spatial mapping and suitability site assessment for seaweed and sea cucumber mariculture in Tanga-Pemba Seascape and the development...Read More

Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park has been named a 2021 Blue Park Award winner. The award, by the Marine Conservation Institute, has been conferred on Kisite -Mpugunti for achieving the highest science based-standard for marine life protection and management. Kisite Mpungunti, managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), joins a growing network of 21 Blue Parks...Read More

WIOMSA is pleased to announce the release of the latest issue of the WIOMSA Magazine: People and the Environment! The special feature of Issue 14 is a story on Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, managed by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which has just received a gold level Blue Park Award; becoming East Africa’s first ever Blue...Read More

Macquarie University in partnership with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) will be conducting a science – policy training on 22-24  February 2022. The aims of the training are to help the participants increase their knowledge of the barriers and opportunities of translating science to policy, and to provide them with the skills...Read More

WIOMSA and UN Habitat are pleased to invite you to the launch of four cities Blue Economy studies (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Port Louis and Kilifi) and a strategic “Roadmap for the Development of the Blue Economy in Coastal Cities. The Blue city case studies outline broadly the current situation concerning the blue economy in...Read More

A new assessment of the coral reefs of the Western Indian Ocean shows that they are all at high risk of collapse within the next five decades. Ocean warming and overfishing were identified as the main threats. In the study, published in the journal Nature Sustainability https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-021-00817-0 coral reefs in ten countries in the Western...Read More

After 9 years of implementation, the Blue Solutions Initiative is coming to an end on 31st December 2021. Jointly with the global ocean community, the Blue Solutions Team will celebrate successes and reflect on learnings from almost a decade of practical international cooperation in the marine realm, during a  virtual ceremony on 30th November 2021 from...Read More

A team at the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP) https://www.haw-hamburg.de/en/ftz-nk/programmes/iusdrp/ and European School of Sustainability Science and Research (ESSSR) https://esssr.eu/ is undertaking a World Study on the SDGs at Higher Education Institutions aimed at identifying the extent to which the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been implemented into teaching and research. The project  invites academic staff working...Read More

An interdisciplinary, inter-professional and international floating university project named “École bleu outremer, Cap sur l’Océan Indien” A project fully in line with the main objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainability Development (2021-2030) The Ifremer, jointly with several partners based in the Indian Ocean: IRD, CNRS, University of La Réunion, TAAF (French...Read More

The Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and Africa’s funded MarCOSouth project invites you to a webinar to find out about real-world service and applications using satellite data for routine monitoring and decision-support in Africa. The webinar will take place on 30 November  2021 at 10 am- 1 pm. SAST (8 am-11 am UTC)  The...Read More

WIOMSA in partnership with the Stimson Center has released a new report on “Measuring Multidimensional Climate Risks in East Africa’s Coastal Cities,” with case studies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Mombasa, Kenya. The report was launched at COP 26 in Glasgow Scotland  on the 3rd of November where the  Climate and Ocean Risk Vulnerability...Read More

The UN Environment Programme through its Africa Office in collaboration with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) are organizing a regional consultative meeting to discuss draft Guidelines for development of legislation and related policies on marine litter in Africa in a platform, INTERACTIO on 11 and 12 November 2021. The meeting will be...Read More

The Community Ecology Conference has extended the deadline for abstract submissions to 12 November 2021.  The conference will be held  fully online on  12 – 14 December 2021 . See more details here:  https://akcongress.com/comec/. Authors are invited to submit their oral and poster contributions from the following fields: Community ecology Island biogeography Macroecology Biodiversity and...Read More

The University of Dar es Salaam, WIOMSA  and the Nairobi Convention- through the WIOSAP project- are pleased to announce a call for authors to write chapters for a new publication on Constructed Wetland Technology as a Nature-based Solution for Sustainable Municipal Wastewater Treatment in Western Indian Ocean Region. The project is motivated by the fact...Read More

The WIOMSA video for the One Ocean Science virtual tour has been launched! Dr. Jacqueline Uku, the President of WIOMSA, represents the voice of scientists from the Western Indian Ocean region  as she highlights the importance of  ocean science in improving climate risk management in the face of climate change. The video was one of...Read More

Join  the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion for access to live and on–demand COP26 ocean events, to explore virtual exhibition booths and discover the Treasure Trove to learn more about the ocean and climate connection. Dedicated to showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet, the pavilion initiative aims...Read More

Today,  25th October, Ifremer, the CNRS and the IRD, with support from the Ocean & Climate Platform, Thomas Pesquet and ESA, are launching a digital world tour of ocean and climate sciences, christened OneOceanScience. Scientists from the entire world are participating. Together, they will explain why ocean sciences are essential for better understanding and protecting...Read More

The call for applications for the Organization of Women in Science for the developing world (OWSD)-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World is now open. The awards target early career women scientists, rewarding and encouraging women working and living in developing countries who are in the early stages of their...Read More

WIOMSA is pleased to invite tenders for a consultancy on “the MASMA Program Evaluation”. The consultancy’s Terms of Reference are attached. The consulting team must prepare and submit: i) A technical proposal detailing the expertise and work plan required to fulfill the deliverables. ii) A financial proposal outlining the estimated costs associated with achieving the...Read More

WIOMSA is pleased to announce the publication of its 2020 Annual Report, which details the Association’s activities in a year marked by Covid-19 challenges and a period of transition. Despite the unprecedented challenges, WIOMSA has worked hard to adapt and seize new opportunities, as well as re-evaluate numerous aspects of its operations, in order to...Read More

The Reef Resilience Network in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, and the Ocean Sewage Alliance  is excited to launch the Wastewater Pollution Online Course. The course is designed to help marine managers and practitioners understand how wastewater pollution threatens ocean and human health, and what strategies and solutions are available to mitigate wastewater...Read More

Ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1 – 12  November 2021, IFREMER (the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) in partnership with the IRD (the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development) and the CNRS (the French National Centre for Scientific Research) will be...Read More

The Meerwissen Initiative, in collaboration with the IOC UNESCO has launched a 3rd call for proposals which  aims to strengthen the knowledge base for marine and coastal Nature-based Solutions in selected African countries. This call has been developed as a contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021 – 2030 and successful...Read More

A virtual workshop on biological observations in the Indian Ocean (from microbes to megafauna) will take place on 8-12 November 2021. The workshop is organised by the Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS).  The workshop will focus primarily on best practices for assessing biological essential ocean variables (EOVs) for functional groups, in particular microbes,...Read More

The Benguela Current Convention (BCC) and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), on behalf of the Marine and Coastal Operations for Southern Africa (MarCOSouth), are inviting proposals from senior consultants to to undertake the quantified potential economic benefits and value of Earth Observation services for decision-making on ocean governance and enabling the development...Read More

The call for nominations to the Climate and Ocean – Variability, Predictability, and Change (CLIVAR) panels and the Scientific Steering Group (SSG) is now open, with appointments starting in January 2022 and January 2023 respectively. Nominations can be submitted online via the nomination form. The deadline for the submissions is 15 October, 2021. Detailed information about CLIVAR panels and...Read More

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 MPA...Read More

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 More

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of International Oceanographic Data and Information  is pleased to announce the “International Ocean Data Conference 2022 – The Data We Need for the Ocean We Want”, to be held in Sopot, Poland between 14-16 February 2022 as a hybrid event. The main objectives of the conference will be: To consider regional and global...Read More

Laure Katz , Blue Nature Alliance has facilitated an informative discussion about using regional approaches to ocean conservation in Africa and South America.  The podcast features  two of our own from the WIO region- Dr. Arthur Tuda, Executive Secretary, Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)  and Angelique Pouponneau, CEO, Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation...Read More

Nanotech Futuristic Solutions and the WIOMSA Cities and Coasts project are pleased to announce the call for applications for a workshop on Nanotechnology and Its Applications for Sustainable Cities and Coasts, that will take place in Johannesburg South Africa on 29 November- 4 December 2021. This training workshop will equip professionals and practitioners from various...Read More

Photo: © Mark Ziembicki Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), in collaboration with South Eastern Kenya University, Machakos University, Kenyatta University, The University of Nairobi, Centre for Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Algarve and ERACOMA, are organizing a regional training workshop on “Building Capacities of Local Practitioners for the Assessment of...Read More

The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) in cooperation with WIOMSA, wishes to invite qualified participants to apply for a marine litter monitoring training course. The training will be hosted by KMFRI, on 22 – 30 November 2021. The objective of the course is to provide an in-depth understanding of harmonized protocols for inland...Read More

WILDOCEANS and  CORDIO,  in  collaboration  with National  Parks of  Comoros, the  Faculty  of  Sciences  and Technology  of  the University  of  Comoros, IRD,  AIDE  and  UMAMA, are  pleased  to  invite  applications  for positions  in  a  project,  funded  by  Oceans  5,  which  is aimed  at  improved  management  and  planning  for existing marine protected areas (MPAs) and supporting...Read More

We are pleased to announce that another edition of the WIOMSA Litter Catch Up newsletter is now out! The monitoring programme for marine debris is the first of its kind in Africa and could well be the first in the world, in that teams in seven countries (Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and...Read More

A new issue of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science (WIOJMS) has just been published! WIOJMS Volume 20 : Issue I, contains the following 12 papers: Impact of a ring net fishery in the inshore marine waters of Kilifi on the reproductive biology of six pelagic fish species . David K. Bett, Mwakio Tole,...Read More

In this week’s edition of WIOMSA ScienceNews, we focus on the Climate and Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index (CORVI) project and the Cities and Coasts collaboration to measure coastal city resilience in Dar es Salaam and Mombasa cities. The collaboration will provide critical data and insights for use by city and national governments as well as...Read More

We are pleased to announce the release of the latest WIOMSA Magazine!  Issue 13 of the WIOMSA Magazine: People and the Environment , focusing on “WIO Marine Conservation: people, progress, prospects” , has been inspired by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Management Network (WIOMPAN).  We are delighted that the renowned Dr. Sylvia Earle has...Read More

The Ocean Exchange is pleased to announce  that its 2021 calls for innovative solutions are now open for entries to compete for monetary awards in the following categories: The Orcelle and Neptune Awards These are two 100,000 USD each monetary awards. The Orcelle Award will go to the innovation that focuses on making the maritime...Read More

A paper – “Integrating biodiversity targets from local to global levels:  A shared earth and ocean approach linking biodiversity and people – for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework”-   has just been released in this week’s issue of  Science Magazine. In this paper, African scientists, conservationists and community leaders present a ‘shared earth, shared ocean’ framework...Read More

The Nairobi Convention, in collaboration with Swedish partners, is building the WIO Symphony; a common model tool for assessing cumulative impact (to marine ecosystems) in the WIO region. After a year of data preparation, the next step in the process is working on the “sensitivity scores” which is one important component of the spatial model,...Read More

In this week’s edition of WIOMSA ScienceNews, we focus on the “Enabling sustainable exploitation of the coastal tuna species Kawakawa and skipjack in the western Indian ocean” project which is aiming to generate essential information about fisheries in the WIO region and relate this to key economic, biological and environmental information to inform management and...Read More

A new study published in the Wiley Journal of Global Ecology and Biogeography has determined that both human pressures, when coupled with erosion, drought, and sea-level changes (i.e. certain effects of climate change), are the main culprits behind the diminishing mangrove forests in the Western Indian Ocean region. Globally, mangroves provide goods and services estimated to...Read More

The effort to identify numerous communities of plants and animals that occupy the sea floor of the WIO region remains minimal. Nonetheless, there is growing interest amongst researchers in Western India Ocean region to identify and characterize benthic ecosystems. Since 2019, a dedicated team of marine researchers has been studying WIO seabed habitats through the...Read More

This year, a group of young marine enthusiasts, the Youth4MPAs (Youth for Marine Protected Areas), in partnership with WILDOCEANS are hosting the first-ever virtual African Youth Summit on the 19th and 20th of August 2021. The summit aims to mobilise African Youth, encouraging them to take ownership of the global 30×30 target, and to adapt...Read More

WIOMSA ScienceNews provides updates on current WIOMSA-funded research projects. Grantees share their field experiences as well as their research results. In this week’s update, we present a  video from the Smart and Sustainable Transitioning for Coastal Cities in the Face of Global Environmental Change (MIJIBORA) project which has developed a draft Climate change policy for...Read More

Prof. Ursula Scharler (School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban) will be co-hosting another interactive workshop on the topic of Peer Review Excellence with IOP Publishing on 19 August, 1pm – 3:30pm South African Standard time. The workshop offers participants guidance to be an excellent reviewer and includes hands-on experience of evaluating a scientific...Read More

WIOMSA ScienceNews provides updates on current WIOMSA-funded research projects. Grantees share their field experiences as well as their research results. In this week’s update, we look at Ecosystem-Based Coastal Zone Protection: The Effectiveness of Seagrass Meadows in Coastal Erosion Management (The Seagrass Project, in Tanzania). Seagrass restoration successful in Tanzania  Planting a large number of...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Area Outlook developed by the Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA is trending on regional and global media! The East African newspaper has featured a column on how expanding MPAs will enable East African countries to tap into the Blue Economy. The Maritime Executive has run an editorial by Brian Gicheru...Read More

Nature Seychelles, supported by its international partners the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Porini Foundation, have launched the world’s first Digital Species – the Seychelles Magpie Robin – which is being offered for sale as the first ever Digital #NatureCollectible (a Non-Fungible Token for conservation). “The Seychelles Magpie Robin will take...Read More

The Nairobi Convention, with WIOMSA, launched the WIO MPA Outlook on Friday!  Last up in our series of the MPA Outlook fact sheets is Tanzania and its marine protected areas. Do you know that Tanzania has 2143 square kilometers of oceans protected by MPAs? Local communities have not been left behind either with 19 Collaborative...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean 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 – according to a new publication by the UN Environment Programme  (UNEP)-Nairobi  Convention  and  the  Western  Indian  Ocean Marine Science Association....Read More

Only one day to go to the launch of the WIO MPA  Outlook by Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA! Today, we  highlight South Africa and its MPAs. The country has made significant progress towards increasing the total coverage of its MPAs which serve important functions for the country including maintaining fish stocks, creating employment opportunities and...Read More

What does success in the achievement of SDG 14.5 look like? The Seychelles is a world class example of success with 16 MPAs covering 26.4 % of its EEZ  and 2600 species protected in its waters. Learn more about this remarkable accomplishment during the launch of the WIO MPA Outlook Report by the Nairobi Convention and...Read More

The 7 MPAs in Mozambique offer valuable ecosystem services such as building resilience  to climate change and extreme weather events, allowing the country to maintain its important fish stocks,  protecting its spectacular biodiversity and promoting  tourism. Join the Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA at the launch of the WIO MPA Outlook on Friday 16 July at...Read More

Mauritius has 18 MPAs and 2 Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas. The objectives of these protected areas range from protection and conservation of marine life to  the enjoyment of the sea and its rich bounty of biodiversity, from provision of job and food security  to providing living laboratories for science and research. Join the Nairobi Convention...Read More

Madagascar has pledged to triple the surface of its MPAs by 2025. It is well on its way to delivering on this pledge with 22 MPAs protecting 14,451 square kilometers of the ocean and 200 locally managed areas that are either legally recognised MPAs or managed by the local communities through legal bylaws. Learn more...Read More

Did you know that 24 coastal communities in Kenya have created informal MPAs to conserve their fisheries and marine resources and secure alternative sources of income?  Kenya is considering declaring 3 additional MPAs in Ras Tenewi and Malindi-Watamu and a Trans-boundary Conservation Area with Tanzania. Want to find out more about some of the remarkable efforts...Read More

Join us at the launch of the Western Indian Ocean MPA Outlook: Towards Achievement of the Global Biodiversity Framework Targets on 16th July 2021. The report outlines the progress made by the governments of the western Indian Ocean towards meeting their commitments of conserving at least 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020. In...Read More

In preparation for the launch of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Marine Protected Areas Outlook report 2021, WIOMSA will support the Nairobi Convention in the release of country-specific factsheets presenting key highlights from the report. WIOMSA is honored to be a part of the MPA Outlook! With the help of WIO nation governments, the Nairobi...Read More

The upcoming 10 years are crucial for a healthy ocean. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is calling for a transformative research process and placing emphasis on the importance of co-design. The virtual event is part of the UN Ocean Decade Laboratory “An Inspiring and Engaging Ocean” and will promote the...Read More

The Blue Climate Initiative (BCI) is thrilled to announce the launch of its global US$1 Million Ocean Innovation Prize to inspire, fund and support innovations that mitigate climate change through ocean-related strategies. The Prize is presented alongside the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and in collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.  Please check out a one-minute video about the Prize...Read More

Kilifi County, Kenya 21st June 2021 – WIOMSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pwani University in Kenya to design and provide courses on Blue Economy and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). The goal is to provide a collaborative framework for the parties to design and implement training programmes linked to Sustainable Blue Economy, as well as to...Read More

On  24th June 2021, a group of 52 representatives from the Western Indian Ocean region participated in the first Adaptive Management Seminar for Marine Protected Areas, hosted by the Nairobi Convention and the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) and WIOMSA. This first Seminar focused on the benefits of addressing marine areas protection...Read More

This has been an exciting quarter for WIOMSA and  partners on many fronts. Here is what we are sharing in the June 2021 WIOMSA Newsbrief! We celebrated World Oceans Day with the launch of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Management Network. We participated in the Virtual Early Career Ocean Professionals Day and the...Read More

The Benguela Current Convention (BCC) and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), on behalf of the Marine and Coastal Operations for Southern Africa (MarCOSouth), are inviting proposals from senior consultants to undertake the assessment and demonstrable importance of Earth Observation services for decision-making on ocean governance and enabling the development of the ocean...Read More

Wildlife Conservation Society has created a Virtual Reality video on reefs in Tanzania that was released on World Ocean’s Day. The video is narrated by Dr. Nyawira Muthiga. When viewing the video, please use the arrows at the top to scroll around and see the reef in 360 degrees. View the video here!   Share...Read More

The IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas Programme, in partnership with WIOMSA, has opened a call for applications to be a member of the Expert Assessment Group for the Green List (EAGL) for the West Indian Ocean Region. Further details are attached regarding the IUCN Green List, the benefits and responsibilities of being...Read More

The Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA have partnered to launch the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Managers Network (WIOMPAN) on World Oceans Day. WIOMPAN is a platform where MPA managers, community members, and scientists can collaborate, share cross-project knowledge and learning, and exchange information, experiences and resources to support management of MPAs in the WIO region. To officially launch the...Read More

WIOMSA and the Nairobi Convention cordially invite you to the launch of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Management Network (WIOMPAN).  WIOMPAN is a platform where MPA managers, community members, and scientists can collaborate, share cross-project knowledge and learning, and exchange information, experiences and resources to support management of MPAs in the WIO region. ...Read More

WIOMSA is pleased to celebrate Virtual Early Career Ocean Professional Day (V.ECOP) 2021 with the release of a new video featuring early career scientists and ocean professionals from the WIO! The video features  unique insights and perspectives from 15 ECOPs working or studying in the WIO. It has been produced  in collaboration with the Western...Read More

WIOMSA would like to welcome you to the Virtual Early Career Ocean Professional Day (V. ECOP Day) which will take place on 1st -2nd June 2021 as a 24h livestream event. WIOMSA has prepared two events to celebrate VECOP 2021! A webinar organized by early career professionals of the WIO and a session on Oceans...Read More

The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO Regional Office for eastern Africa invite you to a virtual live stream event to celebrate World Oceans Day 2021 on 8th June 2021 at 8.30-13.30 HRS EAT. Join in discussions on sensitizing stakeholders on threats to ocean health, opportunities,...Read More

This is not your traditional scientific conference – WIOGEN aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and policy makers to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean. It will provide an interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to meaningfully network and...Read More

WIOMSA would like to welcome you to the Virtual Early Career Ocean Professional Day (V.ECOP Day) which will take place on 1st – 2nd June 2021 as a 24hr livestream event. On the 2nd of June 2021 at 10:00 to 12:00 EAT you can visit the WIOMSA virtual booth which will be showcasing presentations about...Read More

Register for a virtual training event – The WIO Benthic Imagery Workshop 30th August to the 3 September 2021! Researchers/technicians/students from the WIO region interested in benthic research are invited to register for a virtual training event. Hosted by the DFFE and sponsored by WIOMSA through its Marine and Coastal Management Programme, the virtual training...Read More

The survey is developed by Dr. Paris Stefanoudis and colleagues at the University of Oxford and they would be very grateful for your help!  Are you working, or have you worked on the design, designation and/or management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in any of the following countries: Comoros, Kenya, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa (Indian...Read More

WIOMSA, in collaboration with WIOECSN,  is pleased to invite early career ocean professionals to share their ocean experience  by  submitting short 2 minute video clips to be featured in the WIOMSA booth at V.ECOP. Videos must be submitted to wiomsaonline@gmail.com by 20 May 2021. Get the details here         Share this:Click to...Read More

WIOMSA through the Cities and Coasts Project is inviting proposals for supporting the organization of training courses/workshops & publications! The C & C Project is inviting proposals to support training courses, writing workshops, and books/manuals. These proposals target different groups, including scientists, policy-makers, NGOs and local government representatives. Proposals should focus on key regional issues....Read More

We are pleased to announce that another edition of the WIOMSA Letter Catch Up newsletter is now out! About this edition: Despite the inhibitions placed on the activities of the monitoring teams by the COVID-19 pandemic, some teams have managed to continue the work. In other countries, restrictions on travel, working in groups, and access...Read More

WIOMSA through its MASMA programme, is pleased to announce a call for proposals to support the organization of courses and publication of books and manuals. The deadline for submission of proposals is 11 June 2021. Applications should be completed, and support documents uploaded at http://proposals.wiomsa.org/masma-proposals/ Questions for clarification should be sent by e-mail to secretary@wiomsa.org. Share this:Click...Read More

WIOMSA is inviting submission of proposals for its Marine Research Grant (MARG I) programme. The MARG I programme provides young and upcoming scientists with a reliable and flexible mechanism to turn their ideas into research projects. Please note that all applications must be submitted through the online system. Only those applications submitted via this system...Read More

This article is a part of WIOMSAs video series “Voices of MARG Grantees”.  Marine Research Grant I (MARG I) is a capacity building programme of WIOMSA that targets young and upcoming scientists with the aim of providing them with opportunities to undertake independent studies. Some of this research has led to publications in international peer reviewed journals...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), the Sustainable Seas Trust (SST), and the Nairobi Convention are pleased to announce the Twelfth WIOMSA Scientific Symposium, which will be held in Port Elizabeth in October 2022 as a hybrid virtual/ in-person Symposium.  Read the full announcement here!  SYMPOSIUM DATES: The Symposium will be held on Monday,...Read More

The conference aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and policy makers to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean. It will provide an interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered...Read More

This article is a part of WIOMSAs video series “Voices of MARG Grantees”.  Marine Research Grant I (MARG I) is a capacity building programme of WIOMSA that targets young and upcoming scientists with the aim of providing them with opportunities to undertake independent studies. Some of this research has led to publications in international peer reviewed journals...Read More

On 11 May, 2pm – 5 pm South African Standard time, Prof. Ursula Scharler (School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban) will be co-hosting an interactive workshop on the topic of Peer Review Excellence with IOP Publishing. The workshop offers participants guidance to be an excellent reviewer and includes hands-on experience of evaluating a...Read More

This article is a part of WIOMSAs video series “Voices of MARG Grantees”.  Marine Research Grant I (MARG I) is a capacity building programme of WIOMSA that targets young and upcoming scientists with the aim of providing them with opportunities to undertake independent studies. Some of this research has led to publications in international peer reviewed journals...Read More

This article is a part of WIOMSAs video series “Voices of MARG Grantees”.  Marine Research Grant I (MARG I) is a capacity building programme of WIOMSA that targets young and upcoming scientists with the aim of providing them with opportunities to undertake independent studies. Some of this research has led to publications in international peer reviewed journals...Read More

A new issue of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science (WIOJMS) has just been published! This issue contains 12 articles: The influence of habitat preference on longitudinal population composition and distribution of Groupers (Serranidae) in Chumbe Island Coral Park, Zanzibar, Tanzania Caroline Daley The trophic structure of fish in seaweed farms, and adjacent...Read More

The March 2021 issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief is a bumper edition filled with informative news on the recently concluded regional Science to Policy meeting convened by the Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA; the results of the vote by WIOMSA Members on the WIOMSA General Assembly and Board Tenure; new projects under WIOMSA’s research programmes; updates...Read More

Don’t forget to register for the IUCN Green List webinar happening on 31th March 2021 at 10:00 East African Time.  Register here!  For who? Marine protected area/conserved area managers Conservation NGOs Publics agencies & administrations Scientists Webinar objectives: What is the IUCN Green list How it can be applied in the WIO region Share experiences...Read More

Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, through its The department of Systems Analysis, Integrated Assessment and Modelling is inviting applications for a Tenure Track Group Lead in Integrative Ecological Systems Analysis. Closing date for applications: 10...Read More

Save the date for a webinar on the IUCN Green list! For who? Marine protected area/conserved area managers Conservation NGOs Publics agencies & administrations Scientists Webinar objectives: What is the IUCN Green list How it can be applied in the WIO region Share experiences from other countries Discuss WIO interest in the Green list process...Read More

Friday 5 March 2021, 1500-1600 HRS EAT Have you  registered  to join us for the virtual event to launch WIOMSA’s latest publication  Exercises in Marine Biodiversity and Ecology: A Training Manual using the intertidal habitats of the WIO Region?  Download the  Event Programme here. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens...Read More

The January 2021 issue of the newsletter of the marine litter monitoring programme, Litter Catch Up is out! This issue reports accumulation, riverine, floating, standing stock, benthic surveys and awareness and community engagement activities carried out in recent months in Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania. Download the full issue. Share this:Click to share...Read More

Join us for the launch of our new book ‘Exercises in Marine Biodiversity and Ecology: A training manual using the intertidal habitats of the WIO region’. The book will be launched during an online event on 5th March 2021, at 3-4 pm EAT. Register here!  Deadline for registration is 4th March 2021.   Share this:Click...Read More

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) is delighted to announce the upcoming release of a new training manual, Exercises in Marine Biodiversity and Ecology: A Training Manual using the Intertidal Habitats of the WIO region. You are invited to participate in the online launch from 1500 – 1600 on March 5, 2021. Download...Read More

The special issue of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science, titled ‘Productivity in the East African Coastal Current under climate change has just been published. This issue, has the following articles: i) Majuto Manyilizu, Philip Sagero, Issufo Halo, Shigalla B. Mahongo – A comparative study of ocean surface interannual variability in Northern Tanzania...Read More

The Stimson Center, in partnership with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, is currently conducting two city climate risk assessments in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. Using the Climate and Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index (CORVI) methodology, the projects will integrate information and resilience work already underway across the land-seascape, and culminate in innovative new datasets...Read More

If you have not cast your vote regarding the decision to change the WIOMSA General Assembly calendar and extension of the term of the 7th Board of Trustees, please do so as the deadline is tomorrow, 15th January 2021. For more details, please read here.   Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on...Read More

If you have not casted your vote regarding the decision to change the WIOMSA General Assembly calendar and extension of the term of the 7th Board of Trustees, please do so as the deadline is nearer. The deadline for voting is 15th January 2021. For more details, please read here. Share this:Click to share on...Read More

This second special issue of the WIOMSA magazine whose theme is ecosystem restoration captures the excellent and often under-reported work that is going on across the western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. Being released on the eve of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the two latest issues of the Magazine, produced jointly by WIOMSA...Read More

Are you a paid WIOMSA member? The WIOMSA Board of Trustees took a decision to submit two key decision items to an electronic vote of the WIOMSA Members. Voting is now open to members on the WIOMSA portal. Read about the vote in the latest issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief. Share this:Click to share on...Read More

Read the latest issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief which features articles on the timing of the next WIOMSA General Assembly and the term of the WIOMSA Board of Trustees. We share news from the Marine and Coastal Science for Management (MASMA) programme and the Cities and Coasts project, highlights from newly published papers, regional news,...Read More

The latest issue of the newsletter of the marine litter monitoring programme, Litter Catch Up is out! This issue reports accumulation, riverine, floating, standing stock and benthic surveys carried out between July and October 2020 in Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania. Download the full issue.   Share this:Click to share on Twitter...Read More

DAAD Doctoral Scholarship for scholars from Sub-Sahara Africa with ZMT on topics of “Adaptation of marine socio-ecological systems to changing environments”!  The Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) advertises 2 doctoral scholarships starting in Fall 2021. Additionally, 2 further doctoral scholarship can be granted starting in 2022. The scholarships will be granted by the DAAD...Read More

Proposed date: 24th of November 2020 Time: 17:00 to 18:30 pm (Nairobi, East Africa Time) Proposed format: Presentation of perspectives and Discussions Workshop venue: Dialogue, using Zoom platform Registration link: https://awf-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYodumsrD0rHt2ICayxxn0yUDRZd_pTH2zy   Download the full announcement.   Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Read More

The Remote Sensing and Mapping for Coral Reef Conservation Online Course is designed to help marine managers, conservation practitioners, scientists, decision makers, and GIS professionals decide whether remote sensing products and mapping technologies can help inform their conservation and restoration work, and which tools are best suited to their needs. It prominently features the Allen...Read More

Webinar by TCC-Africa on ‘Scholarships: Challenges and Opportunities for Researchers in the Global South’ Description of webinar:  What are the challenges in student financing in the Global South? What opportunities exist for early career researchers (Undergraduate- PostDocs)? What Global partnerships exist to provide scholarships to early career researchers? When? Nov 27, 2020, 12:00 PM East...Read More

Stimson Center and WIOMSA Partner to Measure Climate Risk in Mombasa, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Stimson’s CORVI assessment tool will help both cities determine their vulnerability to climate change, integrate risks into their decision making, and prioritize actions that can build resilience and access climate finance. WASHINGTON, DC – The Stimson Center and...Read More

The latest issue of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science has just been published. This issue, Vol 19, No 1 (2020) has the following articles: i) Vilma Machava-António, Salomão O. Bandeira, Célia C. Macamo, Rosalina Mahanzule – Value chain analysis of mangrove forests in central Mozambique: Uses, stakeholders and income ii) Walter Jabali,...Read More

The deadline for submission of Discussion papers for the WIO Science to Policy meeting to be held in February 2021 has been extended to 30 November 2020. For more details on the criteria for reviewing the discussion papers; objectives, structure and themes of the Science to Policy workshop, please download the concept note.    ...Read More

Invitation to attend online seminar on building institutional and stakeholders capacities on marine spatial planning: Building capacity of institutions and stakeholders involved in the MSP process for the Kenyan EEZ and nearshore!  When? 21-22 October 2020, 9:00-13:30 (GMT+3) Registration day 1: http://on.unesco.org/KE_EEZ1 Registration day 2: http://on.unesco.org/KE_EEZ2 Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new...Read More

2019 was a year of remarkable progress and impact for WIOMSA. The 2019 Annual report captures how WIOMSA has worked mindfully and effectively to take advantage of the opportunities presented to work at the intersection of science, management, policy and society in the coastal and marine environment of the Western Indian Ocean region. The various...Read More

Blue Action Fund is interested in setting up a network of evaluators of its grant programme. To that effect, it is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified candidates in Eastern and Western Africa and the Eastern Tropical Pacific Regions. With a growing grant portfolio, the objective is to identify a small number of experts in...Read More

In response to the decisions of the Contracting Parties, the Nairobi Convention Secretariat and WIOMSA in collaboration with partners will convene a Science to Policy meeting in February 2021. The meeting will promote the link between science and policy for evidence-based decision making and provide the COP with timely technical advice and policy recommendations for...Read More

Seagrass beds are crucial ecosystems providing economic and food security for coastal communities around the globe, including those in the Western Indian Ocean region. A new set of Guidelines on seagrass restoration for the region aim to support the restoration of degraded seagrass beds. The new Guidelines on Seagrass Ecosystem Restoration for the Western Indian...Read More

Are you up to date with the latest happenings at WIOMSA and the region? Take a look at the latest edition of the WIOMSA Newsbrief which is full of great and exciting content! Read how WIOMSA projects are responding to COVID- 19, the launch of the WIOMSA Presidential Award, highlights from recently published papers, upcoming...Read More

The Group of Experts on Marine Litters and Microplastics is inviting expression of interest from three senior experts each to prepare a report on different aspects of marine litter in the WIO region. The reports will focus on three inter-related studies that will assess (i) the status of marine litter and microplastics knowledge in the...Read More

These new guidelines aim to support sustainable management of Western Indian Ocean (WIO) water resources. For many communities living in the WIO region, rivers are an essential resource for food, employment, and energy. The new publication, Guidelines for the Assessment of Environmental Flows in the Western Indian Ocean Region, aims to help communities and governments...Read More

The Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) support Ph.D. level ocean scientists from developed and developing countries to teach short courses and provide extended on-site education and mentorship at developing country institutions. They are now accepting applications for the 2021 Visiting Scholar program. Applications will be reviewed by the SCOR Committee on Capacity Building based on...Read More

The President of WIOMSA, Dr. Jacqueline Uku, will be one of the Global Voices of Ocean and Human Health during the virtual session on ‘Ocean and Human Health’. The session is a part of the Ocean Decade virtual series and is convened by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO in partnership with the Seas, Oceans and Public...Read More

Yesterday, 16th of September, the Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA published a new report on ‘State of Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean Region’. The State of Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean Region reviews the status and trends in ocean governance in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) and identifies key gaps, challenges, and opportunities...Read More

WIOMSA has joined the American Fisheries Society (AFS) and 110 other aquatic scientific societies on a statement on the need to take urgent action against human-caused climate change, based on scientific evidence. The societies call for drastically curtailed global greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst impacts of man-made climate change to fish and aquatic...Read More

WIOMSA and the Nairobi Convention have jointly produced two issues of the WIOMSA Magazine focusing on restoring damaged coastal ecosystems.  The publication of this issue of the  Magazine in 2020 is quite timely, coinciding with the start of the decade of ecosystem  for which the United Nations has unequivocally reaffirmed that “restoring damaged ecosystems is an efficient...Read More

Join the Reef Resilience Network for the first webinar of a series of online activities and events about ocean sewage pollution – an enormous environmental problem that few people are talking about. During the kickoff webinar, Dr. Stephanie Wear of The Nature Conservancy will provide an overview of the issue of ocean sewage pollution; how sewage impacts the well-being...Read More

The latest issue of the newsletter of the marine litter monitoring programme, Litter Catch Up is out! This issue reports the on-going marine litter monitoring activities in Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, and South Africa. Download the full issue. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new...Read More

The Reef Resilience Network is developing online resources to support coral reef managers’ understanding of and response to sewage pollution. Their goal is to provide useful content and practical tools to help protect marine ecosystems from the threats of pollution. They now need your help to assess existing perceptions about sewage pollution and provide insight about current activities,...Read More

Invitation to join a webinar about new Seagrass Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) guidance for how community groups can use PES to plan, fund, and facilitate seagrass conservation projects. See what this work looks like on the ground through Mikoko Pamoja, a community-led mangrove and seagrass conservation and restoration project based in southern Kenya. Speakers:...Read More

Applications are now open for the GMES&Africa and Copernicus Marine Earth Observation Online Training Course. This training is organised by the MarCoSouth GMES&Africa consortia in collaboration with EUMETSAT. The course will take place entirely online and will run in two different phases between 28 September and 16 October 2020. This training course is designed to...Read More

WIOMSA celebrates Marine Rangers on World Ranger Day 31st July 2020 Marine Rangers in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region work tirelessly to protect some of the region’s important marine habitats and species like marine turtles, sharks and dugongs – animals that are also among the most widely targeted by poachers for the illegal wildlife...Read More

Launching today – new guidelines to support mangrove restoration in the Western Indian Ocean!  For many coastal communities, including those in the Western Indian Ocean region, mangroves are critical to economic and food security. A new set of guidelines on mangrove restoration for the region aims to support the restoration of its degraded mangrove ecosystems...Read More

WIOMSA is inviting submission of proposals for its Marine Research Grant (MARG I) for 2021. The MARG I programme provides young and upcoming scientists with a reliable and flexible mechanism to turn their ideas into research projects. From now onwards, calls for MARG I proposals will be issued in the second half of the year,...Read More

Today the Western Indian Ocean Science Association (WIOMSA) and Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) introduce the African Marine Litter Monitoring Manual: a guide to monitoring litter from source to sea.  This manual is the result of a joint effort by WIOMSA, which initiated the Western Indian Ocean Litter Monitoring Programme, and the African Marine Waste Network...Read More

Read the latest WIOMSA Newsbrief which features articles on MASMA, MARG and the Cities and Coast Project, six newly published papers, regional news, new publications and the naming of a new genus of sea-cucumber- Chantalia conandae- in honour of the former WIOMSA board member and Honorary Member of WIOMSA Prof. Emeritus Chantal Conand. We hope you...Read More

The deadline for submission of articles for the special issue of the WIOMSA Magazine on “Restoring damaged WIO Coastal Ecosystems” has been extended until 3rd July 2020!  For the next edition of the WIOMSA Magazine, we are inviting articles on the theme “Restoring damaged WIO Coastal Ecosystems”. Restoration of coastal ecosystems is regarded as a viable...Read More

WIOMSA as a partner of the MeerWissen: African-German Partners for Ocean Knowledge programme (funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development-BMZ-and implemented with support from GIZ), is pleased to announce the publication of two reports: i) Enhancing Science-to-Policy Uptake in the Western Indian Ocean Region: Background Document and Guidelines on Effective Science...Read More

Monday, June 8, 2020, is World Oceans Day. Although this is a celebration, this year it is also time for us to reflect as individuals, as citizens and as members of a global community. This has been a strange year worldwide, when a Pandemic has pushed all other thoughts from our minds. Read the press release...Read More

The edition is the second part of a series inspired by the Women in Marine Science Network (WiMS) based on the theme “Breaking the class ceiling; Stories from women who are making a difference in coastal and marine resource management”.  The editor, Rebecca Loustau-Lalanne, sums up this special issue that comes to you in the midst...Read More

The call for applications for an Early-Career Scientist (ECS) to join the SCOR Executive Committee is open. The ECS in the SCOR EC will help reaching out to the broader early-career community and get it involved into SCOR activities. Position Description: The early-career scientist will have the same responsibilities as other SCOR Executive Committee members (see https://scor-int.org/scor/about/officers/job-descriptions/) with...Read More

WIOMSA is inviting nominations of candidates for the WIOMSA Emerging Scientist Award. The award recognizes significant achievements and outstanding contributions made by emerging scientists for research in coastal and marine sciences in the WIO region. The deadline for submission of nominations is 30th June 2020. Download the full announcement. Share this:Click to share on Twitter...Read More

The Islands and Small States Institute of the University of Malta is accepting expressions of interests from researchers to apply for Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships, within the framework of the Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions. The Islands and Small States Institute of the University of Malta has over 30 years of experience and is recognised...Read More

A research group located in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (EGS) at University of Cape Town (UCT), working with the UK – led One Ocean Hub (OOH) Project, is inviting applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow. Applications should be sent to Fahdelah.Hartley@uct.ac.za and should include: A comprehensive CV, including names and contact details...Read More

For the next edition of the WIOMSA Magazine, we are inviting articles on the theme “Restoring damaged WIO Coastal Ecosystems”. Restoration of coastal ecosystems is regarded as a viable nature-based solution in achieving a wide range of global development goals. It is for this reason that 2021–2030 has been proclaimed the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem...Read More

WIOMSA is pleased to announce an inaugural call to support innovative actions (demonstration and pilot projects), through the Innovation for Sustainability Grant programme. To address modern-day marine sustainability challenges, the grant programme supported by both the Marine and Coastal Science for Management (MASMA) programme and the Cities and Coasts (C&C) project, is established to bridge...Read More

Identifying local governance capacity needs for implementing climate change adaptation in Mauritius By Louis Celliers (louis.celliers@hzg.de) & David Samuel Williams (david.williams@hzg.de) This new paper is one of a series of such papers on the importance of local coastal governance for climate change adaptation. The research project was funded by the WIOMSA MASMA Project entitled Emerging...Read More