Blog

21
Mar

International Day of Forests

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...
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20
Mar

Registration now open: Webinar on the Marine Mammals Management Toolkit

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...
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20
Mar

Job opportunities in the Pemba channel

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...
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15
Mar

The Great Blue Wall Ocean Data Challenge

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...
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15
Mar

TOR for assessing governance capacity for SSF management in Kenya

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...
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15
Mar

Announcing IPDET’s 2023 Program

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...
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15
Mar

Empowering Women in Community-Based Natural Resource Management

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...
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13
Mar

Launch: African Network of Deep-water Researchers

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...
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13
Mar

IWC Questionnaire on Seismic Survey Activity

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...
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13
Mar

Invitation to the Larval-Fish Session at the Indo-Pacific Fish Conference

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...
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03
Mar

Consultancy on gender-based challenges and opportunities in small scale fisheries in the Tanga-Pemba Seascape

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...
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02
Mar

International Women’s Day Webinar:#Embracing Equity

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...
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28
Feb

A new issue of WIOJMS has been published

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...
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27
Feb

Save the Date: International Women’s Day Webinar

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...
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27
Feb

CMS Dugong MOU Small Grants 2023: Call for concept notes

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...
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20
Feb

Café Science: Billfish Frontiers- Experiences from the Western Indian Ocean

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....
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20
Feb

Survey: Marine Regions Forum Conference

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...
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16
Feb

WIOMSA Board of Trustees elects new officials

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...
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09
Feb

Water Ways: An International Conference on Human Relations with the Sea

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...
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07
Feb

International Day for Women and Girls in Science Webinar

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...
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07
Feb

The 2023 Call for SCOR Working Groups is open!

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...
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07
Feb

Deadline extended for WWF’s Education for Nature Grants

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...
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31
Jan

Opportunity for Early Career Scientists to participate in a research cruise

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...
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19
Jan

Vacancy Notice: Head of the IOCAFRICA Secretariat

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...
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16
Jan

Workshop on “Coral Reef Fishes: Identification, Ecology, and Challenges in a Warming Ocean”

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....
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16
Jan

Global Environmental Outlook 7: call for nominations of ocean experts

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...
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16
Jan

Job opening: Research Manager

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...
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12
Jan

Regional Training Workshop on Shoreline Change Management for Coastal Municipalities Officials

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...
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12
Jan

Mário Ruivo Memorial Lecture: Early Career Ocean Professionals invited to pay tribute to Professor Ruivo through their outstanding projects

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...
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12
Jan

The WIOMSA Community and MASMA programme loses a respected and treasured socio economist

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...
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06
Jan

User Research & Engagement Strategy Internship at The Allen Institute for AI

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...
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19
Dec

PhD Stipends in Marine Bioacoustics at CMST – Curtin Mauritius

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...
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16
Dec

First Issue of the Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform Series published

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- ...
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16
Dec

UN Ocean Decade Ocean Prediction Centre kick-off meeting set for January 2023

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...
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15
Dec

The latest WIOMSA Newsbrief is out!

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...
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12
Dec

Call for Applications: Workshop on Urban Planning and Waste Management

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...
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30
Nov

WIOJMS Special Issue: Ocean and coastal governance in the Western Indian Ocean

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...
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30
Nov

New Trustees appointed to the WIOMSA Trust

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. ...
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30
Nov

Calls for WIO-COMPAS certification for 2023 now open

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...
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23
Nov

The 2021 WIOMSA Annual Report is out!

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...
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21
Nov

Introducing Blue Sessions

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...
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21
Nov

Blue Sessions: Dr. Nelly Isigi Kadagi

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...
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16
Nov

COP 27: Ocean Action Day “Ocean for Climate – Implementing ocean-based climate action to build coastal adaptation and resilience”

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...
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14
Nov

WIOMSA at COP 27

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,...
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14
Nov

Report on Ocean Acidification Monitoring in the Western Indian Ocean Region

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...
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14
Nov

Call for 2023 SCOR Visiting Scholars is now open!

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...
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07
Nov

Highlights from the 12th WIOMSA Symposium

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...
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04
Nov

Scientists warn that it’s make-or-break time for Africa’s oceans

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...
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27
Oct

The role of women in Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation & Environmental Management

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....
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08
Oct

The 12th WIOMSA Symposium Newsletter is out

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...
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23
Sep

12th WIOMSA Symposium Newsletter: Call for articles

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...
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23
Sep

Together for Africa’s Seas: SST Newsletter published

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...
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23
Sep

WCS Tanzania is hiring!

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...
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20
Sep

Regional underwater photo contest: call for entries

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...
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18
Sep

G20 CORDAP Opens 2022 Coral Research Funding Opportunity

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...
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16
Sep

12 WIOMSA Symposium: Guidelines for poster presentations

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...
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09
Sep

Sample Preparation Manual Training Course

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...
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09
Sep

Launch: Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean

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...
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09
Sep

Women in Marine Science Cocktail

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...
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25
Aug

A New Issue of WIOJMS has been published!

 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...
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18
Aug

Generating impact in complex natural resource contexts: co-design and development of transdisciplinary research projects

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...
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18
Aug

Call for Applications for an Early-Career Scientist to Join the SCOR Executive Committee

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...
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05
Aug

Erratum: WIOMSA Newsbrief- Announcement of WIOMSA Board Candidates

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...
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04
Aug

WIOMSA Newsbrief Election issue: Announcement of WIOMSA Board Candidates

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...
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04
Aug

Marine Mammals Management Toolkit

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...
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03
Aug

New Publication: Marine Mammals of Tanzania and Zanzibar

“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...
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28
Jul

Studies on the Mascarene Plateau: special issue of WIOJMS published

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...
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21
Jul

Announcements: Launch of the State of WIO Mangroves; Enhancing Inclusive Governance; MPA Day 2022; Vacancies: Mwambao and WCS

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...
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14
Jul

12th WIOMSA Symposium: Call for Exhibitors

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...
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13
Jul

A Tribute to Dr Jesper Vasell

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...
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08
Jul

The June Edition of the WIOMSA Newsbrief is out!

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,...
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01
Jul

Announcements: WIO-ECSN Webinar and Ocean Governance for Sustainable Marine Ecosystems Summer School

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...
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27
Jun

Its on: the Floating University Project “École bleu outremer, Cap sur l’Océan Indien”

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...
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24
Jun

WIOMSA at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon

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,...
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06
Jun

The 12th WIOMSA Symposium Photo Competition is on!

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...
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27
May

Capacity Building on Environmental Flows Assessment in WIO Countries

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....
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26
May

World Oceans Day: Ocean Art Contest

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...
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23
May

Call for Nominations: First Round of Regional Workshops of the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea

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...
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02
May

WIOMSA Board Elections: Nomination of New Board Members

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...
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21
Apr

The Call for Abstracts and Mini Symposium Proposals Ends Tomorrow!

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...
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20
Apr

Delivering transparency in fisheries: Madagascar publishes vessel lists

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...
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12
Apr

The latest issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief is out!

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...
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07
Apr

Save the Date: the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium!

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...
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30
Mar

Webinar: Deep-sea research in the WIO

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,...
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24
Mar

12th WIOMSA Symposium: Call for Special Sessions

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...
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22
Mar

Engaging Youth on Climate Action

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...
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21
Mar

Submit your Abstract for the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium

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...
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14
Mar

Last Chance to register for the Ocean Challenge for Africa!

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...
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08
Mar

WiMs on International Women’s Day!

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...
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07
Mar

International Women’s Day: Live Interview with Jacqueline Uku

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...
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04
Mar

Announcements: Workshop on Observing the Coastal and Marginal Seas in the WIO; UCT/SAEON PhD and Post doc positions

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...
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03
Mar

WIOMSA ScienceNews: Upwelling and the influx of freshwater increase fisheries productivity

  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...
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28
Feb

Announcements: Great Blue Wall Initiative Side Event and a Consultancy on Ocean Acidification Mitigation

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...
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23
Feb

Researching the Seychelles marine environment: perspectives on Blue Economy, fisheries, and coral reefs

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,...
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21
Feb

Call for proposals to support the organization of training courses and writing workshops: Cities & Coasts Project

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...
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18
Feb

WIO-COMPAS Level 1 Certification: Call for Applications

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...
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15
Feb

Notice to WIOMSA members: Invitation to submit recommendations for amending the WIOMSA Constitution

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...
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14
Feb

Regional Announcements: Call for proposals for WWF Feasibility Study; Virtual Training Opportunity for ECOP

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...
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10
Feb

Announcements: Early Career Ocean Professionals Survey; One Ocean Science Virtual Summit

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...
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09
Feb

Read the latest issue of Litter Catch Up!

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,...
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07
Feb

Southern African Marine Science Symposium

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...
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04
Feb

WWF Education for Nature Program: New Funding Opportunities for 2022

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...
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03
Feb

A new issue of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science is out!

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....
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02
Feb

Call for proposals to support the organization of training courses and writing workshops

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...
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01
Feb

12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium: 2nd Announcement and Call for Abstracts

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...
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23
Jan

COP27 must deliver climate finance where it is needed most

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...
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04
Jan

New Schedule for the Plastics Training Course

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...
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24
Dec

Socio-ecological change in estuaries of the Western Indian Ocean: a Special Issue of WIOJMS is out!

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 ...
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20
Dec

Regional training workshop on Fish Barcoding and Functional Ecology

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...
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16
Dec

New Publications: Cities and the Blue Economy in the Western Indian Ocean

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...
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15
Dec

The December 2021 WIOMSA Newsbrief is out!

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)...
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14
Dec

Inviting participants on a plastics training course to stop waste

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...
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13
Dec

Deadline Extension: Consultant/organization to pilot a multitrophic mariculture model at the Tanga-Pemba Seascape

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...
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10
Dec

New Video: Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park Awarded Blue Park Status!

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...
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10
Dec

Issue 14 of the WIOMSA Magazine: People and the Environment is Out!

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...
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09
Dec

Call for Applications: Science-Policy Training

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...
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08
Dec

Invitation to the launch of reports on “Coastal Cities of the Western Indian Ocean Region and the Blue Economy”

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...
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07
Dec

All coral reefs in the Western Indian Ocean at high risk of collapse within 50 years

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...
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29
Nov

Join the Blue Solutions Virtual Ceremony on 30th November

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...
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25
Nov

World Study on the Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education Institutions and World Sustainability Researchers list

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...
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19
Nov

Call for Applications for the Floating University Project “École bleu outremer, Cap sur l’Océan Indien”

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...
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16
Nov

Marine services and applications using satellite data: A MarCOSouth Webinar

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...
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09
Nov

New Report on Measuring Multidimensional Climate Risks in East Africa’s Coastal Cities launched

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...
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08
Nov

A Virtual Regional Consultative Meeting to Discuss Draft Guidelines for Development of Legislation and Related Policies on Marine Litter in Africa

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...
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05
Nov

Community Ecology Conference: Extended deadline for Abstract Submissions

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...
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02
Nov

Constructed Wetlands Technology book: Call for Contributing Authors

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...
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01
Nov

WIOMSA Video for One Ocean Science launched!

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...
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28
Oct

Invitation to join the COP 26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion

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...
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25
Oct

Press Release: Ocean sciences are essential in the fight against climate change

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...
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20
Oct

2022 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards: Climate Action and the Environment.

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...
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19
Oct

Tender for consulting services on “the MASMA Program Evaluation”

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...
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18
Oct

The 2020 WIOMSA Annual Report is out!

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...
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13
Oct

New Online Course on Wastewater Pollution

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...
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11
Oct

Ocean Science Matters: the One Ocean Science Event

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...
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11
Oct

Meerwissen launches a Third Call for Proposals for African-German research projects

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...
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08
Oct

Workshop on Biological Observations in the Indian Ocean (From Microbes to Megafauna)

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,...
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04
Oct

A consultancy to undertake an Economic Benefit Analysis on importance of Earth Observation services: Call for proposals

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...
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29
Sep

Call for Nominations to the CLIVAR Panels and Scientific Steering Group

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...
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24
Sep

The September 2021 issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief is out now!

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...
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17
Sep

Adapting to climate change and enhancing resilience

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...
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10
Sep

International Ocean Data Conference 2022 – The Data We Need for the Ocean We Want

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...
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07
Sep

Podcast: Regional Approaches to Ocean Conservation

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...
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01
Sep

Call for applications: Training Workshop on Nanotechnology and its Applications for Sustainable Cities and Coasts

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...
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Photo: Mark Ziembick
31
Aug

Call for applications: Training on Building Capacities of Local Practitioners on the Assessment of Ecosystem Dynamics in the Emerging Coastal Towns in the WIO Region

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...
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30
Aug

Call for applications: Training course on strengthening the regional capacity for marine litter monitoring in the Western Indian Ocean

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...
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28
Aug

Call for applications: Strengthening Ocean Protection in Comoros

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...
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27
Aug

Out now – WIOMSA Litter Catch Up!

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...
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26
Aug

New release: the WIO Journal of Marine Science!

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,...
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25
Aug

WIOMSA ScienceNews: Measuring coastal city resilience to inform action

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...
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18
Aug

Reasons For Hope: Issue 13 of the WIOMSA Magazine is out!

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...
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17
Aug

Ocean Exchange Awards 2021: Invitation to register Innovative Solutions

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...
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12
Aug

New Publication: Integrating biodiversity targets from local to global levels

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...
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12
Aug

WIO Symphony

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,...
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11
Aug

WIOMSA ScienceNews: Genomic tools to address questions in fisheries management

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...
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10
Aug

Global and local threats to mangroves in the Western Indian Ocean region identified in a new publication

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...
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04
Aug

WIOMSA ScienceNews – WIOBENTH: Mapping project makes steady progress

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...
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29
Jul

African Youth 2021 Summit

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...
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28
Jul

WIOMSA ScienceNews – Miji Bora Video release!

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...
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26
Jul

Workshop on Peer Review Excellence

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...
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22
Jul

WIOMSA ScienceNews – Seagrass restoration successful in Tanzania!

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...
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20
Jul

MPA Outlook in the News

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...
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19
Jul

The Seychelles Magpie Robin becomes the world’s first ‘digital species’ and it’s for sale!

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...
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19
Jul

WIO MPA Outlook: Tanzania and Marine Protected Areas

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...
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16
Jul

The Western Indian Ocean region has declared 550,000 square kilometers as protected, a 63% jump since 2015!

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....
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15
Jul

WIO MPA Outlook Report: South Africa and Marine Protected Areas

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...
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14
Jul

WIO MPA Outlook Report: Marine Protected Areas and the Seychelles

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...
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13
Jul

MPA Outlook Report: Marine Protected Areas in Mozambique

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...
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12
Jul

WIO MPA Outlook Report: MPAs and the Republic of Mauritius

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...
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11
Jul

The MPA Outlook Report: Madagascar and Marine Protected Areas

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...
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10
Jul

The WIO MPA Outlook Report: Marine Protected Areas and Kenya

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...
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09
Jul

The WIO MPA Outlook report: French territories and Marine Protected Areas

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...
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08
Jul

The WIO MPA Outlook Report Highlights!

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...
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07
Jul

Event: Co-designing solution-oriented research for sustainable development

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...
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01
Jul

BCI Ocean Innovation Prize applications are open

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...
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30
Jun

WIOMSA and Pwani University sign MoU for Blue Economy and Marine Spatial Planning Courses

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...
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25
Jun

First SwAM Ocean Adaptive Management Seminar for MPAs: the network approach to Marine Protected Areas

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...
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24
Jun

READ THE JUNE 2021 ISSUE OF THE WIOMSA NEWSBRIEF

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...
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18
Jun

A consultancy to undertake an Economic Benefit Analysis on importance of Earth Observation services: Call for proposals

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...
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10
Jun

Protecting Tanzania’s Reefs

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...
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09
Jun

Call for expressions of interest to be a member of the Expert Assessment Group of the Green List (EAGL)

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...
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09
Jun

WIOMPAN is now live!

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...
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04
Jun

Launch of WIOMPAN!

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. ...
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02
Jun

Early Career Ocean Professionals of the WIO: Sharing Ocean Experiences

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...
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31
May

V.ECOP Day: Registration Open!

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...
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31
May

UN World Oceans Day: Call for Registration

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,...
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29
May

WIOGEN – Ocean Governance Virtual Conference

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...
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24
May

Save the date – VECOP day

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...
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18
May

Registration now open for WIO Benthic Imagery Workshop

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...
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18
May

Survey on MPAs!

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...
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17
May

Virtual Early Career Ocean Professionals Day: Call for Video Clips

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...
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13
May

Cities and Coasts Project call for proposals!

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....
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10
May

Out now – WIOMSA Litter Catch up!

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...
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04
May

Now Open! MASMA Calls for Proposals to Support the Organization of Courses and Publication of books

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...
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03
May

New MARG I Call for Proposals: Apply Now!

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...
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02
May

Voices of MARG Grantees – Zahirah Dhurmeea

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...
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29
Apr

First Symposium announcement and call for abstracts!

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,...
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25
Apr

WIOGEN Ocean Governance Virtual Conference

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...
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25
Apr

Voices of MARG Grantees – Bahati Mayoma

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...
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21
Apr

Workshop on Peer Review Excellence

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...
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18
Apr

Voices of MARG Grantees – Patrick Kimani

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...
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11
Apr

Voices of MARG Grantees – Juliet Karisa

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...
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04
Apr

New issue of WIOJMS!

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...
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31
Mar

Read the March Edition of the WIOMSA Newsbrief!

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...
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25
Mar

Reminder: register for IUCN Green List webinar

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...
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16
Mar

Job Opportunity: Tenure Track Group Lead in Integrative Ecological Systems Analysis

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...
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09
Mar

IUCN Green list orientation webinar

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...
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03
Mar

Programme for the Launch of Exercises in Marine Biodiversity and Ecology

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...
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28
Feb

The January Issue of Litter Catch Up is Out!

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...
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27
Feb

Launch of Marine Research Training Manual

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...
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12
Feb

SAVE THE DATE: Launch of Marine Research Training Manual

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...
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11
Feb

Special Issue – Productivity in the East African Coastal Current under Climate Change is out!

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...
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09
Feb

Part-Time Consultant Opportunity: Climate Scientist

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...
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14
Jan

Final reminder to WIOMSA members: Decisions on the WIOMSA General Assembly calendar and extension of the term of the Board

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...
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04
Jan

A reminder to WIOMSA members: WIOMSA members decide on the WIOMSA General Assembly calendar and extension of the term of the Board

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...
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21
Dec

Issue 12 of the WIOMSA Magazine on Ecosystem Restoration is out!

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...
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18
Dec

WIOMSA members decide on the WIOMSA General Assembly calendar and extension of the term of the Board

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...
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15
Dec

The December Newsbrief is out

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,...
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02
Dec

The latest Issue of Litter Catch Up is Out!

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...
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27
Nov

Call for applications: DAAD Doctoral Scholarship Preselection by ZMT

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...
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24
Nov

GBF goals on spatial protection – Africa dialogue

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)
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19
Nov

New Online Course: Remote Sensing & Mapping for Coral Reef Conservation

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...
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18
Nov

Webinar invitation ‘Scholarships: Challenges and Opportunities for Researchers in the Global South’

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...
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11
Nov

Stimson Center and WIOMSA Partner to Measure Climate Risk in Kenya and Tanzania

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...
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03
Nov

The latest issue of the WIO Journal of Marine Science is out!

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,...
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26
Oct

Call for submission of discussion papers for the WIO Science to Policy meeting: DEADLINE EXTENDED!

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.    ...
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21
Oct

Online seminar on MSP process for the Kenyan EEZ and nearshore

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...
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15
Oct

Read the 2019 WIOMSA Annual Report

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...
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11
Oct

Call for Expressions of Interest Technical Project Evaluators

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...
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06
Oct

Call for submission of discussion papers for the WIO Science to Policy meeting

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...
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05
Oct

Out now: Guidelines for Seagrass Ecosystem Restoration in the WIO

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...
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28
Sep

The September Newsbrief is out

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...
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25
Sep

Request for Expression of Interest: A review of marine plastic litter in the WIO region

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...
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25
Sep

New publication! Guidelines for the Assessment of Environmental Flows in the WIO Region

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...
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23
Sep

2021 Call for SCOR Visiting Scholars

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...
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22
Sep

The Ocean Decade Virtual Series: Ocean and Human Health

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...
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17
Sep

New publication: State of Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean Region

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...
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15
Sep

World’s Leading Aquatic Scientific Societies Urgently Call for Cuts to Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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...
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10
Sep

An Opportunity to Build Back Better: Issue 11 of the WIOMSA Magazine focusing on Ecosystem Restoration is out!

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...
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23
Aug

New Ocean Sewage Series kicks off

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...
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21
Aug

Litter Catch Up: The latest Issue is out!

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...
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05
Aug

Your input is needed to inform ocean sewage pollution online resources!

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,...
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05
Aug

Seagrass Conservation through Payment for Ecosystem Services Webinar

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:...
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04
Aug

GMES&Africa and Copernicus Marine Earth Observation Online Training Course

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...
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31
Jul

WIOMSA celebrates Marine Rangers on World Ranger Day

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...
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24
Jul

New guidelines aim to support mangrove restoration in the Western Indian Ocean

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...
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22
Jul

Marine Research Grant (MARG) Programme: Call for Research Proposals under MARG I is out now!

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,...
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07
Jul

Announcing the launch of the African Marine Litter Monitoring Manual

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...
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30
Jun

June WIOMSA Newsbrief is out!

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...
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12
Jun

Deadline extended for submission to the WIOMSA magazine

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...
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09
Jun

WIOMSA publishes two reports on science to policy uptake

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...
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08
Jun

WIOMSA wishes you all a Happy World Oceans Day 2020!

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...
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04
Jun

The 10th Issue of the WIOMSA Magazine is out!

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...
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02
Jun

Call for Applications for an Early-Career Scientist to Join the SCOR Executive Committee

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...
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18
May

Call for nominations: WIOMSA Emerging Scientist Award

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...
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13
May

Call for expression of Interest: Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship

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...
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13
May

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: Call for applications

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...
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11
May

The WIOMSA Magazine. Call for Articles for Special Issue on Coastal Ecosystem Restoration

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...
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28
Apr

Innovation for Sustainability Grant: Calls for Submission of Concept Notes

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...
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21
Apr

Identifying local governance capacity needs for implementing climate change adaptation in Mauritius

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...
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17
Apr

Call for applications: Regional Training Workshop on the use of Underwater Camera Systems to sample Benthic Invertebrate Communities of the Western Indian Ocean:DEADLINE EXTENDED!

The deadline for submission of application for the Regional Training Workshop on “The Use of Underwater Camera Systems to Sample Benthic Invertebrate Communities of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Region” has been extended from 15 April 2020 to 18 May 2020. Download the full announcement. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click...
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14
Apr

The March Issue of the Litter Catch Up is out!

The third issue of the newsletter Litter Catch Up is out! This latest issue reports the on-going marine litter monitoring activities in 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 window)
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09
Apr

Latest WIOMSA Newsbrief is Out!

Read the latest WIOMSA Newsbrief which features articles on the UN Decade of Ocean Science in the Western Indian Ocean, newly published papers such as the regional connectivity and the placement of MPAs in the WIO region and the challenges of small scale fisheries. We also cover a range of events that have taken place in...
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08
Apr

Call for nominations of Fellow and Honorary members

WIOMSA is inviting nominations of candidates for the WIOMSA Fellow and Honorary members program. Fellow and Honorary memberships are awarded to individuals in recognition of their exemplary/ outstanding/ distinguished contribution to the development of marine science research in the region and/or problem-solving and actions geared towards improving the management of coastal and marine environment in...
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12
Mar

The Bleeker Awards for Distinguished Contributions to Indo-Pacific Ichthyology: Call for nominations

The Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC) is accepting nominations for the Bleeker Awards for 2021. The award, named after Pieter Bleeker, honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of ichthyology in the Indo-Pacific. Two awards in ichthyology will be conferred; one for distinguished contributions to Systematics and one for distinguished contributions to Ecology....
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03
Mar

Call for applications: Regional Training Workshop on the use of Underwater Camera Systems to sample Benthic Invertebrate Communities of the Western Indian Ocean

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), in collaboration with the University of Comoros and the University of Dar es Salaam (Institute of Marine Sciences and the College of Agriculture Sciences and Fisheries Technology), are organizing a Regional Training Workshop on “The Use of Underwater Camera Systems to Sample Benthic Invertebrate Communities of the Western Indian...
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01
Mar

FAME releases 7 new publications

SPC Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division has just published seven new publications: i) The SPC Fisheries Address Book 2020, which lists over 1500 fisheries-related contacts. It is updated every year. ii) Four reports to support gender-responsive programming approaches to fisheries and aquaculture in:  Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu iii) A Regional Framework on Aquatic Biosecurity to provide regional guidance...
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14
Feb

Course in Ocean Governance for Africa 2020: Call for applications

The IOI-SA will be running the annual course in Ocean Governance for Africa in collaboration with the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), and other partners, from the 7th September to the 2nd October 2020. The course will be held in Cape Town, South Africa.  The deadline for...
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03
Feb

One Planet Fellowship: call for applications

The One Planet Fellowship Created in December 2017 at Emmanuel Macron’s One Planet Summit, the One Planet Fellowship aims to create a community of African and European researchers working on climate change adaptation in Africa’s agricultural sector. This five-year program is supported by the BNP Paribas and Bill & Melinda Gates foundations, the European Commission...
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25
Jan

Coasts as complex systems – tools and services for climate change adaptation in coastal urban settlements: Call for applications

GERICS (HZG), within the frame of the INNOVA project and in collaboration with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), is planning a regional training event on the use of Systems Dynamics to understand and plan mainstreaming climate change adaptation and coastal management making use of innovative climate services in the Western Indian Ocean...
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25
Jan

37 Important Marine Mammal Areas identified in the Western Indian Ocean and Arabian Seas

In December 2019, scientists announced the approval of 37 new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) in the Western Indian Ocean and Arabian Seas. The new IMMAs highlight key habitats for various threatened marine mammal species, including endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, and the threatened dugong. IMMAs are an important first step toward greater protection efforts,...
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24
Jan

Regional Workshop on Stock Assessment and Estimation of SDG Indicator 14.4.1- Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels: Call for applications

The Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) Bremen in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the National Institute of Aquatic Resources in Denmark (DTU Aqua) and the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) Zanzibar are organizing a two week training course on the assessment of stock status and the...
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18
Jan

Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Training for Coastal Cities

ICLEI Africa, with the support from the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), is hosting an interactive and participatory four-day regional training workshop where coastal cities in Africa can begin to develop Climate Change Adaptation Action Plans (CCAPs) with a specific focus on coasts. These action plans are the first and essential step in...
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17
Jan

WIOMSA appoints a new Executive Secretary

The WIOMSA Board of Trustees has appointed Arthur Tuda as the new Executive Secretary effective 1st February 2020. Arthur will take over the wheels of WIOMSA as part of the succession plan of the Association. The outgoing Executive Secretary, Julius Francis will remain as an advisor for few months to ensure a smooth transition. Arthur...
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16
Jan

Call for Expression of Interest to host the Twelfth WIOMSA Scientific Symposium in 2022

WIOMSA is inviting expressions of interest to host the Twelfth WIOMSA Scientific Symposium from all the countries in the region including those that have hosted the symposium before. The twelfth Symposium is scheduled to be held in the second half of 2022, preferably in October or November 2022. The deadline for submission of expressions of...
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15
Jan

The latest issue of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science is out!

The latest issue of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science has just been published. This issue, Vol 18, No 2 (2019) has the following articles: i) Francis P. Mmanda, Jan Erik Lindberg, Anna N. Haldén, Torbjorn Lundh – Mineral content in local feed ingredients used by fish farmers in four different regions of...
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13
Jan

The Report of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is out

In December 2019, the Kenya Government in collaboration with UNDP organized the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Regional Meeting in Mombasa, Kenya under the “Protect, Produce, Prosper” theme. The meeting was attended by 91 participants. The meeting report proposes A Call to Action, from the WIO Regional Bloc, to...
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06
Jan

Are you a young marine scientist from the Western Indian Ocean region?

Are you a young marine scientist from the Western Indian Ocean region? We would like to hear from you! The WIO Early Career Scientist Network (ECSN) has been operational since 2015. Recently, it was agreed that the Network will operate under WIOMSA. In this regard, WIOMSA has commissioned a study to assess the needs and...
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21
Dec

The December Issue of the Litter Catch Up is out!

The second issue of the newsletter Litter Catch Up is out! This newsletter focuses on reporting on the on-going marine litter monitoring activities in seven WIO countries, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania. Download the full Issue. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens...
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21
Dec

2020 Open Call for Shipboard Fellowship

13 Nov 2019 to 15 Nov 2020 Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) will be offering a number of shipboard fellowship opportunities onboard research vessels during 2019/2020. This programme is designed to promote training and capacity building leading towards a global observation scheme for the oceans. For more details, read here. Share this:Click to...
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19
Dec

Coastal Cities and the Blue Economy: Your views on opportunities and challenges

WIOMSA in collaboration with UN-Habitat, has contracted Arup to develop a working document on ‘Coastal Cities of the Western Indian Ocean and the Blue Economy’ and a ‘Roadmap for the Development of the Blue Economy’ in Coastal Cities. This Roadmap aims to provide strategic guidance and recommendations to help cities in current and future planning...
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18
Dec

VLIR-UOS scholarship for the Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management

The preregistrations for the VLIR-UOS scholarship for the Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (‘Oceans and Lakes’) for 2020-2022 are now open! More info on our website: http://www.oceansandlakes.be/node/28 Deadline of the application: 1 February 2020. Hear about the story of a few of our VLIR-UOS alumni in the video below (made in...
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18
Dec

The December WIOMSA Newsbrief is out

Read the latest issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief. The December Newsbrief features articles on WIOMSA’s  annual grantees meeting, news from the Cities and Coast and MASMA competitive grant initiatives, a story on the role of the Western Indian Ocean in the first ever Marine Regions Forum in Berlin,  the kick off meeting of the WIOGEN project, a global study...
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16
Dec

WIO Regional Introductory MPA Management Training Course: Call for applications

The Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science (DIFS) in collaboration with WIOMSA are offering the first University-accredited regional Introductory MPA Management Training Course which will be run from the 30th March to the 3rd April 2020 at the Rhodes University, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The deadline for submission of application is 16h00 (SAST,...
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13
Dec

Cities&Coasts Project: Calls for Proposals

WIOMSA, through its Cities and Coasts project, is announcing calls for research proposals to conduct research and to support the organization of training courses/workshops. For detailed instructions on these grants, download the full announcement for the calls and the guidelines for preparing proposals. The deadline for submission of proposals is 1 March 2020. Applications should be completed and support...
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11
Dec

MASMA Programme 2020 calls: For research and for Training Courses/Workshops & Publication of Books/Manuals

WIOMSA through the MASMA programme, is pleased to announce two calls: i) A call for research proposals ii) A call for proposals to support organizations of training courses/workshops and Publications of books/manuals. Please read the instructions carefully and prepare your proposals accordingly. Proposals prepared not according to the format will not be reviewed. Download the...
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02
Dec

The WIOMSA Magazine People and the Environment, Issue 9 is Out!

The Women in Marine Science Network (WiMS) has inspired the release of two special editions of the WIOMSA Magazine featuring the stories of women working in the marine and coastal field in the Western Indian Ocean region and beyond. Breaking the class ceiling: stories from women who are making a difference in coastal and marine...
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02
Dec

Marine Research Grant (MARG) Program: Call for Proposals 2020 is out now!

WIOMSA is inviting submission of proposals for its Marine Research Grant (MARG) Program for 2020. The MARG programme provides young and upcoming scientists with a reliable and flexible mechanism to turn their ideas into research projects and also offers opportunity for presentation of research results at various regional and international fora. Please note that, applications...
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25
Nov

Transformed and Transformative Ocean Governance Conference

The aim of this conference is to provide a forum for a wide range of ocean experts and stakeholders to engage with the latest developments impacting on ocean governance from developmental, ecosystem-based and human-rights-based approaches, before starting to reflect and give direction on what transformed and transformative ocean governance means and requires. Confirmed speakers include...
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06
Nov

The latest issue of the Newsbrief is out!

Read the latest issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief which features articles on  various marine litter initiatives in the region, the development of the Western Indian Ocean Governance Strategy, news from the cities and coasts and MARG project grantees,  meetings and workshops that have taken place in the region, the release of  WIO Journal of Marine Science Volume 18...
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05
Nov

The first issue of Litter Catch Up

In the WIOMSA Marine Litter Workshop held in April 2019 in Mombasa, Kenya, it was agreed that a a quarterly newsletter be established to report on the progress of implementation of the marine litter projects in seven countries. The first issue of the Litter Catch Up was published in October 2019. The Newsletter is a...
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28
Oct

South African Marine Sciences Symposium

South African Marine Sciences Symposium (SAMSS) 6-9 July 2020 | Elangeni Hotel, Durban Please find attached the first announcement of the South African Marine Sciences Symposium (SAMSS) which will be held in Durban during 6-9 July 2020. The conference theme is 20/20 vision: Marine Science for the future South Africa. 6 July: Workshops and Courses...
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25
Oct

Dahari is recruiting an Operations Director

About Dahari Founded in February 2013 following a five-year pilot project, Dahari has quickly established itself as one of the leading NGOs in the Comoros with a multicultural team of 75 full- and part-time employees. Dahari’s holistic intervention model covers agricultural and agro-forestry development, forest management around watersheds, ecological research, conservation of biodiversity, and the...
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24
Oct

The WIOMSA Annual report for 2018 is out!

As 2018 marked WIOMSA’s 25th Anniversary, the Annual report features an inspiring ” Word from the WIOMSA President”chronicling the key success factors and major achievements of WIOMSA and the new directions for the Association. The report outlines the projects and activities that the Association undertook in 2018 including governance and strategic decisions, strengthening scientific research for...
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23
Oct

3rd Symposium on climate change adaption in Africa

23rd-24th January 2020: Africa 2030 – Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to handle the Challenges of a Changing Environment, Nairobi, Kenya 3rd SYMPOSIUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AFRICA It is widely known that Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change. As the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) produced by the...
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21
Oct

2020 Conservation Awards!

The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) is currently accepting applications for 2020 Conservation Awards! CLP awards are offered to teams of early-career conservationists to conduct projects on species that are categorized as Data Deficient, Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Team members should have less than 5 years’ professional experience in the conservation sector and projects...
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18
Oct

4th International School in Marine Biology

The DANIEL JOUVANCE FOUNDATION, in collaboration with the Sorbonne University (F) and the University of Namibia (UNAM), will organize the 4th International School in Marine Biology at the Sam Nujoma Campus, University of Namibia, Henties Bay, Namibia from January 26th to February 1rst, 2020. The Daniel Jouvance – SU International School in Marine Biology is...
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17
Oct

IIOSC-2020 Abstract Submission deadline extended!

This is to inform you that the last date for submission of abstracts to the International Indian Ocean Science Conference (IIOSC) is extended up to 15 November, 2019. You are invited to submit abstracts relevant to Indian Ocean for scientific sessions spread over 14 themes (https://iiosc2020.incois.gov.in/IIOSC2020/TechnicalSessions.jsp). Papers/abstracts highlighting societal relevance of the research work are encouraged....
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15
Oct

Job advert: Marine Programme Coordinator (Africa)

Location: Can be based in either Dakar-Senegal, Accra-Ghana, Nairobi- Kenya in or Cambridge-UK Full time Contract: 2 year fixed term (renewable)   BirdLife International is inviting applications for the position of Marine Programme Coordinator, who will lead the Marine Programme of the BirdLife Africa Secretariat in collaboration with the BirdLife International’s Marine Programme (BIMP). View...
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10
Oct

Call for applications: IFS Basic Research Grants

Providing early career support to promising young Low and Lower Middle Income Countries (LLMIC) researchers has been the mandate of the International Foundation for Science (IFS) for many years. IFS continues its commitment by providing tailored research capacity-enhancing support to promising early career scientists based around the provision of individual Basic Grants. To secure IFS...
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07
Oct

Regional training workshop on use of constructed wetlands technology for wastewater treatment: Call for Application

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) in partnership with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute (KMFRI) and the Nairobi Convention through the GEF-funded project ‘Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the protection of the WIO from land-based sources and activities (WIOSAP)’ are organizing a regional training workshop on use of constructed wetlands...
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03
Oct

New Issue of the WIO Journal of Marine Science Published

Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science has just published its latest issue, Vol 18, No 1 (2019) with the following articles: i) Maurice O. Obiero, Cyprian O. Odoli, Peter O. Odote, Raymond K. Ruwa, Maurice O. Omega – Shelf life assessment of hot smoked African catfish stored under different storage conditions from Lake Kenyatta,...
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27
Sep

Call for articles for the WIOMSA magazine: Stories from women in marine science

WIOMSA Magazine: Breaking the glass ceiling: stories from women who are making a difference in coastal and marine resource management The WIOMSA Magazine has been a popular publication for many years. The Magazine is written with the general public as the main target group. The magazine is not a scientific publication but instead offers a...
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26
Sep

Sea cucumbers – an unknown resource

From a previous MASMA project on Sea Cucumbers: Over the last few years, the demand for sea cucumbers from Asian countries has literally exploded, obliging the manufacturers to produce more and more. In many producing countries, the number of sea cucumbers has diminished noticeably. Madagascar is not an exception to that rule. Helped by International...
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26
Sep

Winter school: Ocean Governance for Sustainable Marine Ecosystems

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS ZMT/IOI Winter School on “Ocean Governance for Sustainable Marine Ecosystems” from Feb 16-21, 2020 in Bremen/Germany. The interdisciplinary Winter School hosted by ZMT (Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research) and the IOI (International Ocean Institute) will train around 25 international scholars to develop solutions for a sustainable governance of the Ocean. Highlights...
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25
Sep

Science-to-policy uptake in WIO region: Short survey

The South African Institute of International Affairs is developing a science-to-policy uptake guidance document for the Western Indian Marine Science Association through the project MeerWissen: African-German Partners for Ocean Knowledge. They wish to develop a practical, user-friendly document that draws on the experiences of researchers and the policy community in the region (and beyond). For this...
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23
Sep

Training on the Geospatial technology (Remote Sensing and GIS) application for Sustainable Coastal Smart Cities: Call for applications

WIOMSA in partnership with Macquarie University and Hexagon Geospatial are organizing a training workshop on the application of geospatial technology for sustainable and smart coastal cities. The training workshop is slated for Mombasa Kenya from the 2nd to the 7th December 2019. The workshop is organized with the financial support of the Government of Sweden...
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10
Sep

The Blue Economy and Coastal Cities of the Western Indian Ocean Region: Call for proposals

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and UN-Habitat are inviting proposals from senior consultants to prepare and develop a Status Report, Regional Action Plan and Roadmap on “The Blue Economy and Coastal Cities of the Western Indian Ocean Region”. Download the full call. The deadline for submission of the bid is the 27th...
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10
Sep

IOC-UNESCO Travel Grants

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO is offering a limited number of travel grants to support participation of early career scientists (age below 35 years) in conferences and symposia in 2019. Applications should be submitted to Mika Odido (m.odido@unesco.org) not later than 25 September 2019, and must include: Detailed CV, including: Biodata (personal details), employment...
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06
Sep

Call for applications a new for OCG Leadership Development Role

Call for applications a new for OCG Leadership Development Role The Joint WMO-IOC Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Observations Coordination Group (OCG) (link) is creating a new sponsored membership role in its Executive Team. The aim of this new role is to support leadership development in ocean observing from countries that are in...
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04
Sep

DAAD Call for applications | Climate research in Africa

DAAD is the initiativ of the German Academic Exchange service in the field of climate change and protection, read more at www.daad.de The Climate research Alumni and Postdocs in Africa (CLAP Africa) program brings high-potential African researchers in climate change research and protection together with African alumni of German funding initiatives. It seeks to catalyze...
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03
Sep

International Indian Ocean Science Conference

The abstract submission for the International Indian Ocean Science Conference (IIOSC) 2020 is now open! The conference will take place in Goa, India, on 16-20 March 2020. You can submit abstracts relevant to the Indian Ocean for scientific sessions spread over 14 different themes. You can read more about the different themes here: https://iiosc2020.incois.gov.in/IIOSC2020/TechnicalSessions.jsp). The...
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28
Aug

Marine and Coastal Ecosystem-based Adaptation

Over the past 18 months, the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) has implemented a project that seeks to support ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in Southern Africa. The objective of the project is to enhance the climate resilience of the Southern African region by strengthening the role of marine and coastal EbA in national climate...
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28
Aug

Call for OCG Regional Leadership Development Position

The Joint WMO-IOC Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Observations Coordination Group (OCG) (link) is creating a new sponsored membership role in its Executive Team. The aim of this new role is to support leadership development in ocean observing from countries that are in the process of developing their ocean observing capacity, including Small...
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27
Aug

Call for applications! OTGA/KMFRI Training Course: Marine GIS Applications

Call for applications: OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA) Training Course: Marine GIS Applications, 28 October – 1 November, 2019, in Mombasa, Kenya Course Overview Satellite data are particularly powerful when combined with data from other sources, such as in situ measurements or geographic or socio-economic information, whilst Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a powerful tool for...
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21
Aug

WIOMSA Newsbrief June/July 2019

We are delighted to present our Newsbrief for June/July 2019. In this edition we feature articles from the 11th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium that recently took place in Mauritius as well as articles on Dr Jacqueline Uku´s N.K. Panikkar Memorial Lecture, MARG-I outcomes, meetings and workshops that have taken place in the region, the release of...
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20
Aug

Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme 2020-2021

Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme 2020-2021- Applications Now Open The Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme will this year offer a select number of future leaders and influencers from Tanzania the opportunity to study for a prestigious Master’s degree in Ireland. If successful, you will live and study at some of the top education and learning centres in the world,...
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19
Aug

New Publication: Information access and knowledge exchange in co-managed coral reef fisheries

A new publication on Information access and knowledge exchange in co-managed coral reef fisheries is now out! This publication might be useful for researchers and managers interested in knowing how information is accessed and shared amongst marine and coastal resources users. The publication is one of the outputs from the collaboration with Dr. Michele Barnes ARC Centre of...
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16
Aug

Indian Ocean Regional Ocean Acidification workshop: Call for applications

The Nairobi Convention in collaboration with the IUCN-chaired Ocean Acidification international Reference User Group (OAiRUG) and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) are organizing the Indian Ocean Regional Ocean Acidification workshop that will be held in Zanzibar, Tanzania on 28th and 29th October, 2019. Applications to attend the workshop are invited from regional...
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16
Aug

Largest-Ever Study of Coral Communities Unlocks Global Solution to Save Reefs

This week a new publication on “Social–environmental drivers inform strategic management of coral reefs in the Anthropocene” by Darling et al, was published in the Nature Ecology and Evolution Journal. Over 80 marine scientists has worked together analysing 2500 reef systems across 44 countries.  From the press release by the Wildlife Conservation Society: A NEW...
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14
Aug

14th International Conference on Copepoda! 

Every three years since 1981 the World Association of Copepodologists (WAC) holds an international conference called the International Conference on Copepoda or the “ICOC.” These have become the most important global gatherings for all researchers and students of copepods. Each conference gives participants the chance to meet fellow researchers, talk with students and experts, borrow...
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24
Jul

WIOMSA 25 years

WIOMSA was established as a regional, non-profit, membership organization in 1993 and registered in Zanzibar, Tanzania in 1994 as a non-governmental organization. This means that WIOMSA this year celebrates 25 years. In honour of this WIOMSA has produced a 25-year anniversary video. In this video, you will be able to meet some of the persons...
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29
Jun

The First Issue of the Symposium Newsletter is out!

The First Issue of the Symposium Newsletter is out with several interesting articles and important announcements. The deadline for submission of articles for Issue 2 of the WIOMSA Symposium newsletter is 2nd July 2019. Send your articles and photos to secretary@wiomsa.org. Download the full issue. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click...
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27
Jun

Symposium newsletter

We will be producing two issues of Symposium Newsletter, prior to and during the Symposium as we did in the previous symposia. The objective of the Newsletter is to provide an avenue for participants and interested parties to communicate information to delegates on news items, book launches, bursaries, courses, student adverts, invitations to special sessions,...
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21
Jun

Sea Sense is hiring a Programme Manager!

Do you have the qualifications, skills and expertise to work for a dynamic organization leading grass-roots marine resource conservation and management efforts in Tanzania? Are you interested in a holistic approach to sustainable marine resource use that recognizes the linkages between people and their environment? Do you have experience in coordinating and managing organizational activities...
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12
Jun

Internship Opportunity at IUCN Tanzania

IUCN  Tanzania is seeking for  motivated Interns to support the implementation of the Forest component of the PLUS and RESUPPLY Projects. #4099 – Intern – Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Duty Station: Tanzania Project Office, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania Employment terms: Locally recruited position Application deadline: 25 June 2019 To see the...
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08
Jun

The challenge of the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in communities of greater dependence on natural resources

World Ocean’s day is here! This week we have been sharing some short articles from current grantees under WIOMSA’s MASMA and MARG programmes and now its time for the last one.  The challenge of the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in communities of greater dependence on natural resources – Case of Bons Sinais Estuary (Mozambique). ...
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08
Jun

Regional efforts at promotion and conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems

World Ocean’s day is here! This week we have been sharing some short articles from current grantees under WIOMSA’s MASMA and MARG programmes and today we will share with you two last articles.  Regional efforts at promotion and conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean.   By James Mwaluma   Coastal communities in...
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07
Jun

Understanding sediments accumulations and the importance of regional collaboration in tackling scientific needs

Tomorrow is World Ocean’s day! This week we will share some short articles from current grantees under WIOMSA’s MASMA and MARG programmes.  Understanding sediments accumulations and the importance of regional collaboration in tackling scientific needs.   By Gilbert Owato  The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region has very rich and diverse marine resources becoming the second Biodiversity...
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06
Jun

Community initiative to restore mangroves of Bay of Assassins: experience from the south-west of Madagascar

World Ocean’s day is fast approaching! This week we will share some short articles from current grantees under WIOMSA’s MASMA and MARG programmes.  Community initiative to restore mangroves of Bay of Assassins: experience from the south-west of Madagascar By Cicelin RAKOTOMAHAZO – PhD   Walking down to this amazing place just at the shore of the...
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05
Jun

Women in Marine Science – A new WIOMSA Video

Today we are proud to announce the launch of a new WIOMSA Video: Women in Marine Science!  In this video you will have the opportunity to listen to some of the many inspiring women in the WIOMSA community and hear their thoughts on being a Woman in Marine Science. Watch the video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4j7IaCX1SE  ...
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05
Jun

Secret garden under the sea, what are we doing to conserve them?

World Ocean’s day is fast approaching! This week we will share some short articles from current grantees under WIOMSA’s MASMA and MARG programmes.  Secret garden under the sea, what are we doing to conserve them? Article by: Blandina Lugendo Seagrasses, the flowering plants of the sea. Like land (terrestrial) plants, seagrasses are among key components...
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04
Jun

Threats of microplastics pollution to the marine ecosystem of Tanzanian coastal waters

World Ocean’s day is fast approaching! This week we will share some short articles from current grantees under WIOMSA’s MASMA and MARG programmes.  Threats of microplastics pollution to the marine ecosystem of Tanzanian coastal waters Bahati Sosthenes Mayoma (1)*, Farhan R. Khan (2), Salum Hemed (1), Moses Joel Shimba (1)  Plastic pollution is one of...
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03
Jun

Registrations for the 11th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium

Registrations for the upcoming 11th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium is now open. Registration fees; 150 USD for paid WIOMSA members. 75 USD for students (does not include Post Docs) 200 USD for non WIOMSA members. The registration fee includes; Lunch on 1st-5th July 2019 Opening and closing ceremony evening events Airport transfers on 29th June ,  30th June,...
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24
May

WIOMSA Scientific Symposium photo competition!

The WIOMSA Scientific Symposium photo competition is here again! The theme of this year’s photo competition is “People, Coasts and Oceans: Opportunities for a changing future” They say a picture is worth a thousand words- share your story through the lens of your camera! Entries can be on any topic of your choice related to coastal...
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23
May

New Publication on Local Management of Marine Resources is out!

A publication ‘Local Management of Marine Resources: A Guide for Communities in Kenya and Mainland Tanzania is out. This publication available in both English and Kiswahili, has been published and is designed to provide guidance to community members and resource users who wish to manage their own natural resources by developing a strategy for local...
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23
May

For a Resilient Blue Economy, Work with Nature

Quirimbas National Park, northern Mozambique, photo by Romy Chevallier Uniting around a global call to see oceans managed more sustainably, more than 500 people will gather in Maputo this week (23-24 May 2019) to attend an international oceans conference hosted by the Government of Mozambique. Envisaged to become a biennial event, this international dialogue will...
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10
May

JOB OPPORTUNITY: WIOMSA EXECUTIVE SECRETARY(RE-ADVERTISEMENT): DEADLINE EXTENDED!

The deadline for submitting applications for the position of Executive Secretary has been extended 17 May 2019. For more details about the position, please download the detailed TORs. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
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26
Apr

UN Environment Executive Webinar on EIA for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations

The Global Network on Environment and Oil and Gas is pleased to invite you to register for the upcoming Executive Webinar on ‘Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations’. This webinar will take place on 30 April 2019 from 13:00-14:30 hrs (Geneva Time). Also, you are kindly requested to please share this...
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24
Apr

JOB OPPORTUNITY: WIOMSA EXECUTIVE SECRETARY(RE-ADVERTISEMENT)

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) is inviting applications for the position of Executive Secretary. For the position, the Association is looking for an individual with experience in project/programme management, management of a team; including experts and support staff. The Executive Secretary should be familiar with the coordination of volunteer networks and working...
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16
Apr

Call for expressions of interest_tuna related research in Tanzania

The Deep Sea Fishing Authority (DSFA) is calling for expressions of interest for tuna-related research studies, under SWIOFish project. The studies are “Research on oceanographic factors influencing tuna and tuna-like species in the Tanzanian waters” and “Undertaking an analysis if the stock structure and genetics connectivity of tuna and tuna-like species in the Tanzanian waters“, The...
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15
Apr

Latest WIOMSA Newsbrief is out!

Read the latest WIOMSA Newsbrief, which rounds up new projects, news, and events. Some of the highlights of the Newsbrief include the launch of the WiMS website, monitoring ocean acidification in the WIO region and the launch of Miji Bora Project. We also feature the historic maiden voyage of the FlipFlopi, a profile of Refiloe Mofokeng’s work on plastics, and Rima Beesoo’s...
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15
Apr

Seychelles president makes underwater speech calling for protection for oceans

The Seychelles president has gone below the surface of the Indian Ocean to call for better protection for the world’s seas. Danny Faure said that a healthy ocean was “crucial for the survival of humanity” in a broadcast made 124m (406ft) below sea level. He had joined a British-led expedition exploring the ocean’s depths. Last...
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14
Apr

Latest Nairobi Convention Newsletter

The Nairobi Convention Secretariat are delighted to share with you the first issue of the Nairobi Convention Newsletter of 2019, which includes updates on what countries in the Western Indian Ocean region are doing to protect, manage, and develop their coastal and marine environment through various projects executed by the Convention. You can access it...
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12
Apr

Keynote Speakers for 11th WIOMSA Symposium

The 11th WIOMSA Symposium brings together inspiring keynote presentations covering interesting topical issues such as fishery decline and human nutrition; natural capital accounting, women’s role in fisheries and blue economy. Click on https://symposium.wiomsa.org/keynote-speakers/ to read their short biographies and abstracts. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens...
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11
Apr

Job Opportunity: Co-funded MQ DVCR and WIOMSA Postdoctoral Fellowship

Macquarie University (MQU) and Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) https://www.wiomsa.org partnership, with support from Macquarie University DVC is currently seeking a suitably qualified Postdoctoral Research Fellow. This position is tailored towards an enterprising Postdoctoral Researcher interested in engaging in interdisciplinary research. Download the full announcement. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in...
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01
Apr

Postgraduate opportunity at ORI/UKZN: Accelerated coral evolution

The University of Kwa Zulu Natal (UKZN) and the Oceanographic Research institute (ORI) in Durban are inviting applications for a PhD studentship to investigate the physiological and transcriptional basis of resilience of corals to stress.  The student will be based at the Oceanographic Research Institute at uShaka Marine World in Durban, South Africa and registered...
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mwambao
26
Mar

Job opportunity: Marine Co-management Field Officer

Mwambao Coastal Community Network (Mwambao) is an independent not for profit organisation registered in both mainland Tanzania and in Zanzibar. Mwambao is seeking to employ a Marine Co-management Field Officer to lead the field-based implementation of a project that seeks to improve marine resource co-management in Unguja. This project is being delivered in partnership with...
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Marine corals reef restoration marine conservation coral reefs marine ecosystems marine life western indian ocean ocean science reef conservation
22
Mar

Online training opportunity on coral reef restoration

Coral reef managers are increasingly turning to restoration as a strategy to combat reef degradation and promote reef recovery. As a result, different techniques are being used across the globe, making it difficult to choose the right approach for your location’s specific needs and capabilities. The Reef Resilience Network Restoration Mentored Online Course is designed...
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GERICS
20
Mar

Two positions open at GERICS for a Post Doctoral and a PhD student

The Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS), a scientific organisational entity of Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, invites applications for a Post Doctoral (m/f/d), starting as soon as possible, in the project CoastalCS@GERICS. This project is funded under the HZG I2B call. The position is limited to 36 months. Read the full post doctoral...
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10
Mar

Open call for applications – Leaders in Coral Reef Restoration

Corales de Paz is pleased to invite applications for its Leaders in Coral Reef Restoration Training Workshop, to be held at the Reef Rescuers Centre for Ocean Restoration Awareness & Learning (CORAL) in Praslin Island (Seychelles) between 1 and 10 June 2019. The purpose of the training is to provide hands-on, in-water experience on what...
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08
Mar

Women in Marine Science network launches their website

Today, on International Women’s day, the Network of Women in Marine Science are proud to announce the launch of their brand-new website wims.wiomsa.org ! We hope you will like the website as much as we do! Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
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08
Mar

Study comparing fish biomass in remote reefs and fisheries closure published

A Scientific Study titled Global baselines and benchmarks for fish biomass: comparing remote reefs and fisheries closures, (Tim McClanahan et al) has just been published in the Marine Ecology Progress Series (MEPS), a leading journal in the field covering all aspects of marine ecology, fundamental and applied. Below is an excerpt from the introduction. Introduction Measurable...
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beach-oskar-henriksson-oceans-danielle-de-st-jorre-scholarship-sids-small-island-developing-states-ocean-governance-ioi-canada-women-in-marine-science
08
Mar

Membership to the Group of Experts on Marine Litter and Microplastics: Call for expression of interest

The Ninth Conference of Parties to the Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment for the WIO region (Nairobi Convention) held in Mombasa, Kenya in August 2018, requested the Secretariat, in collaboration and cooperation WIOMSA and other partners, to establish a marine litter regional technical working group in the...
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sea-slugs-maputaland-maputo-stLucia-A Guide to the sea slugs of the Maputaland Coast
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