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| Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association |
| Formation | 1993 |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Headquarters | Zanzibar City |
| Region served | Western Indian Ocean |
| Leader title | Director |
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association is a regional non-governmental organization founded to promote marine science, conservation, and sustainable development across the Western Indian Ocean region. It engages with governments, intergovernmental bodies, research institutions, and civil society to coordinate research, inform policy, and strengthen capacity in states bordering the Indian Ocean. The association works closely with United Nations Environment Programme, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and regional bodies such as the Indian Ocean Commission and the African Union.
The association was established during discussions involving stakeholders from Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros to address transboundary marine issues exemplified by events like the 1997–98 El Niño impacts and the 1998 Indian Ocean coral bleaching. Founding meetings involved representatives from institutions including University of Dar es Salaam, University of Nairobi, Institute for Marine Sciences (Zanzibar), and the Smithsonian Institution. Early initiatives built on precedents set by programs such as the Global Environment Facility projects and collaborations with World Wide Fund for Nature and Conservation International. Over time the association coordinated regional responses to disasters similar to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and engaged with networks like the Coral Triangle Initiative and the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific for comparative learning.
The association's mission aligns with objectives such as supporting marine biodiversity conservation found in instruments like the Convention on Biological Diversity and informing implementation of frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14. Objectives include advancing marine science for policy relevant to coastal fisheries exemplified by work on Artisanal fisheries in Mozambique and on coral reef resilience in Madagascar, promoting marine spatial planning akin to efforts by the European Marine Board, and fostering partnerships similar to those of the Global Ocean Observing System.
Governance follows a regional council and secretariat model involving representatives from national institutions such as Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mozambique National Institute of Fisheries Research, and Seychelles Centre for Marine Research and Technology. The secretariat is hosted in Zanzibar City with advisory boards drawing on expertise from University of Cape Town, National Oceanography Centre (UK), and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Decision-making incorporates stakeholder consultations reminiscent of processes used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures.
Programs span marine biodiversity monitoring, coastal resilience, and fisheries research with activities paralleling initiatives by BirdLife International, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Food and Agriculture Organization. Notable programs include regional coral reef assessments similar to work by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, mangrove restoration projects comparable to Mangrove Action Project efforts, and marine pollution monitoring aligned with Global Partnership on Marine Litter objectives. Activities often involve field expeditions, capacity exchanges with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and policy fora modeled after Our Ocean Conference.
The association produces technical reports, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed articles published in outlets such as Marine Ecology Progress Series, Coral Reefs, and ICES Journal of Marine Science. Research topics include climate-driven shifts akin to studies of the Indian Ocean Dipole, stocks assessments using methodologies developed at Pew Charitable Trusts-supported centers, and socio-ecological analyses drawing on frameworks from the Resilience Alliance. Collaborative publications have involved partners like National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Capacity activities include training workshops, fellowships, and curricula development in partnership with universities and institutes such as University of Mauritius, Nelson Mandela University, and Zoological Society of London. Programs mirror exchange schemes run by The Nippon Foundation and scholarship models from the International Centre for Theoretical Physics. Education initiatives support coastal communities and stakeholders including fishers' associations and municipal planners, drawing on outreach approaches used by SeaWeb and Blue Ventures.
Membership comprises academic institutions, research centers, government agencies, and NGOs from countries around the Western Indian Ocean including Somalia and South Africa. Strategic partnerships include intergovernmental organizations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association, conservation NGOs such as The Nature Conservancy, and donor agencies like the World Bank and European Union. Collaborative networks extend to regional programs like the Nairobi Convention and global networks including the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission.
Funding sources have included grants from the Global Environment Facility, contracts with multilateral lenders like the World Bank, and support from philanthropic organizations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Oak Foundation. Projects have addressed coastal resilience, marine protected area design akin to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park planning, and fisheries governance reforms reflecting lessons from Norway-supported initiatives. Implementation frequently partners with national ministries of Fisheries and regional institutions such as the African Development Bank.
Category:International environmental organizations Category:Marine conservation