Western Indian Ocean Marine and Coastal News Roundup - 30 Apr 2024

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Warming seas push India’s fishers into distant, and more dangerous, waters

Many of India’s more than 4 million fishers are sailing beyond the country’s exclusive economic zone into the high seas in search of a better catch. Rising sea surface temperatures, overfishing near the shore, and the destruction of reefs have decimated nearshore fisheries, forcing India’s fishers farther out to sea where they face greater risk.

Conservationists call for action to combat coral bleaching in Indian Ocean

Conservation bodies have called for urgent interventions to combat coral bleaching in the West Indian Ocean. The?organizations, including Cordio East Africa, Arizona State University, the International Union for Conservation and Nature, and the MSC Foundation, raised concerns that the coral reef bleaching events have?been observed?across 53 countries and territories, including those along the Kenyan Coast.

Mozambique breaks ground on new maritime center

Construction of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) kicked off this Monday with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi laying the foundation stone.

Tuna fishing: Seychelles puts forward 3 resolutions for next IOTC meeting

Seychelles' fisheries officials held discussions with high-level government officials of the fisheries sector from Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Comoros, and Mauritius in an online meeting to discuss draft proposals for the upcoming Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) meeting.?

?Eleventh Nairobi Convention Conference of Parties – August 2024

2nd Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States ??

In May 2024, world leaders will gather in Antigua & Barbuda to agree a bold new program of action. This new ten-year plan will focus on practical and impactful solutions to keep SIDS afloat and give their citizens a sustainable and safe future. Two Preparatory Committee Meetings will take place in the build-up to the 4th UN International Conference on SIDS. The Preparatory Committee is conducting the organizational, procedural, and substantive preparations for the Conference.?

International Day for Biological Diversity

Seychelles Marine Science Symposium

State of the Coast for Zanzibar

This publication highlights the economic potential of the coastal and marine environment and, at the same time, points out the growing natural and anthropogenic pressures imposed on the coastal and marine environment, as well as the opportunities to avoid them.

Age, growth, and mortality characteristics of the Thumbprint Emperor (Lethrinus harak) in Zanzibar

The growth parameters of Lethrinus harak were studied in Zanzibar water from 308 samples collected between June 2019 to May 2020 at Unguja Ukuu and Mkokotoni landing sites. The annulus count indicated that the majority of fishes captured were three and four years old and very few were five, six, and seven years of age with a mean length of 17.69 cm, 21.04 cm, 24.18 cm, 25.86 cm, and 28.15, respectively.

Launch of the State of the Coast Report for Zanzibar and Bahari Yetu

Mussel aquaculture in Kanyaka Island

In the ebb and flow of the Indian Ocean’s salty waters, a quiet revolution has been taking place, one centered around an unassuming sea creature —the mussel. These shellfish, equally at home in fresh and salt water, have captured the hearts and taste buds of many, earning their place as a culinary delight.