Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)

Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) The Association has about 1000 individual members as well as about 50 institutional members from within and outside the region. O.

WIOMSA is dedicated to promoting the educational, scientific & technological development of all aspects of marine sciences throughout the Western Indian Ocean with a view toward sustaining the use and conservation of its marine resources. Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) is a regional professional, non-governmental, non-profit, membership organization, registered in Zanzib

ar, Tanzania. The organization is dedicated to promoting the educational, scientific and technological development of all aspects of marine sciences throughout the region of Western Indian Ocean (Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion(France)), with a view toward sustaining the use and conservation of its marine resources. The organization's inter-disciplinary membership consists of marine scientists, coastal practitioners, and institutions involved in the advancement of marine science research and development. The Association: (1) provides a forum for communication and exchange of information amongst it members that promotes and fosters inter-institutional linkages within and beyond the region; (2) supports marine research by offering research grants; (3) implements programs to build the capacity of marine scientists and coastal management practitioners; and (4) works to promote policy dialogue on key topics by organizing meetings and seminars on the findings and policy implications of science. WIOMSA promotes marine science research through the award of research grants under the Marine Science for Management (MASMA) and the Marine Research Grant (MARG) programmes. MASMA is a competitive research grant scheme designed to support research activities in the region as well as organisation of training courses/workshop. In addition to the on-going capacity building program in ICM and MPA, WIOMSA has organized/hosted a number of regional workshops and meetings that provided the linkage between science and management. Recently, WIOMSA also signed Memorandum of Understanding with UNEP as the secretariat to the Nairobi Convention, whereby WIOMSA will be responsible for providing research, technical, managerial and advisory support to UNEP as requested. WIOMSA in collaboration with UNEP is hosting a regional Group of Experts on Marine Protected Areas for the Eastern African region (GEMPA). GEMPA has been established with the aim of building a constituency for marine protected areas in the region and to provide a forum for linkages and dialogue between MPA practitioners and experts, and between government and non-government organizations. WIOMSA Contact

Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
Mizingani Street, House No. 13644/10
P. Box 3298, Zanzibar,
United Republic of Tanzania,

Tel: + 255 24 2233472/2234597
Fax: + 255 24 2233852

E-mail: [email protected]

Mauritius is strengthening its role in Western Indian Ocean marine science through collaboration, research, outreach, an...
28/05/2026

Mauritius is strengthening its role in Western Indian Ocean marine science through collaboration, research, outreach, and capacity-building. Current efforts focus on increasing research outputs, building partnerships across sectors, and promoting knowledge exchange.

Read more about these initiatives in the latest WIOMSA Newsbrief:https://blog.wiomsa.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/19.-Mauritius-is-advancing-marine-science-collaboration-awareness-and-restoration-.pdf

NEMC marks 40 years of environmental management in Tanzania. On 29 May 2026, a national event in Dar es Salaam will brin...
27/05/2026

NEMC marks 40 years of environmental management in Tanzania. On 29 May 2026, a national event in Dar es Salaam will bring together leaders, partners, and the public to review progress, share lessons, and plan future priorities.

Since 1986, NEMC has overseen more than 35,000 projects, issued 20,000 permits, and advanced enforcement, education, and technology for environmental sustainability.

Read more about NEMC’s achievements and the anniversary event in the latest WIOMSA Newsbrief:https://blog.wiomsa.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/17.-NEMC-marks-40-years-of-environmental-leadership-in-Tanzania-.pdf

Join us on Thursday, 28 May 2026 at 12:00 EAT (11:00 CAT) for a webinar marking the release of the new report, “State of...
26/05/2026

Join us on Thursday, 28 May 2026 at 12:00 EAT (11:00 CAT) for a webinar marking the release of the new report, “State of Coastal and Marine Nature-Based Tourism in the Western Indian Ocean Region.”

Hosted by the ALU School of Wildlife Conservation at African Leadership University and supported by WIOMSA’s SCALABLE project, the webinar will cover current trends and challenges in nature-based tourism across ten WIO countries.

Read the full report and register for the webinar here: https://blog.wiomsa.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/13.-Groundbreaking-report-highlights-the-state-of-coastal-and-marine-nature-based-tourism.pdf

25/05/2026

Watch the latest episode of the WIO Ocean Champions Series, featuring the fishers of Southwest Madagascar. This episode highlights how local communities use traditional knowledge and sustainable practices to manage marine resources and support their livelihoods.

Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines

The Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS), University of Dar es Salaam, has launched the OceanObserve-Tz Initiative at its ...
25/05/2026

The Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS), University of Dar es Salaam, has launched the OceanObserve-Tz Initiative at its Buyu Campus in Zanzibar. This initiative deploys cost-effective ocean observing systems along the Tanzanian coast to provide real-time, reliable, and locally relevant oceanographic and environmental data to support coastal management, climate resilience, marine resource conservation, and decision-making.

OceanObserve-Tz involves coastal communities directly in data collection and monitoring, supporting local capacity and long-term sustainability.

Read more about this impactful project on: https://blog.wiomsa.net/2026/05/22/oceanobserve-tz-enhancing-coastal-resilience-through-cost-effective-ocean-observing-systems/

Marine protected areas and estuarine systems may seem like separate fields of study, but climate change is increasingly ...
22/05/2026

Marine protected areas and estuarine systems may seem like separate fields of study, but climate change is increasingly linking them. Two research teams working under WIOMSA's SCALABLE programme met in Tanzania, to explore that connection and to identify where their work on climate projections and estuary management could be strengthened through collaboration.

Read about it in the latest issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief available here:https://blog.wiomsa.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/12.-Integrating-climate-projections-and-estuary-management.pdf

Exciting opportunity alert! The call for applications for the Bridges X SIOMPA 2026 Training is now open. Early-career p...
21/05/2026

Exciting opportunity alert!

The call for applications for the Bridges X SIOMPA 2026 Training is now open. Early-career professionals passionate about marine science and conservation are encouraged to apply before 10th June 2026. The training will be held on September 28 to October 2, 2026, offering hands-on experience and expert mentorship.

Don’t miss out—learn more here: https://blog.wiomsa.net/2026/05/20/call-for-applications-bridges-x-siompa-2026-training/

Programme de recherche Bridges

The 2026 Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Area (MPA) Enforcement Exchange convened 19 managers and enforcement prac...
21/05/2026

The 2026 Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Area (MPA) Enforcement Exchange convened 19 managers and enforcement practitioners from eight countries to strengthen monitoring, control, surveillance, and enforcement of MPAs. Supported by WIOMSA, WildAid, and the Blue Nature Alliance, the exchange focused on stronger governance, intelligence-led and risk-based operations, and better use of tools such as EarthRanger and Skylight, alongside adaptive management to improve decision-making and deployment.

Participants shared lessons, conducted risk assessments, and produced country-specific RADAR diagnostics and Sail Plans to address constraints in staffing, resources, coordination, prosecutions, and community engagement. The outcome is a set of actionable national and regional priorities—joint operations, technology integration, clearer legal follow-through, sustainable finance, and ongoing collaboration and capacity building—to improve enforcement effectiveness across the region.

Learn more about the exchange here:https://wordpress.bluenaturealliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WIO-Enforcement-Brief.pdf

Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Management Network - WIOMPAN

HuDoNet has launched its first Network Action Plan to support the coordinated research and protection of the Endangered ...
20/05/2026

HuDoNet has launched its first Network Action Plan to support the coordinated research and protection of the Endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. This plan was developed with contributions from nearly 100 experts representing 18 countries. It identifies 13 priority actions focused on advancing scientific knowledge, addressing key threats, and engaging with policy makers to improve conservation outcomes for the species.

Learn more and read the full plan in the latest issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief available here:
https://blog.wiomsa.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/15.-HuDoNet-releases-Network-Action-Plan-for-the-Indian-Ocean-humpback-dolphin.pdf

The May issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief features new research funded by a WIOMSA Marine Research Grant (MARG I), focusing ...
19/05/2026

The May issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief features new research funded by a WIOMSA Marine Research Grant (MARG I), focusing on Somalia’s grouper stocks. This study provides the first systematic assessment of blue and yellow grouper populations along Somalia’s eastern coastline.

The study shows that unsustainable fishing practices are threatening the future of grouper populations and highlights the urgent need for effective fisheries management and regular monitoring to protect these important species.

Read the full article here:
https://blog.wiomsa.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/14.-Mounting-fishing-pressure-threatens-the-future-of-Somalia-grouper-stocks.pdf

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