Noticias 31 Oct, 2024

Regional Collaboration on Seagrass Research Advances Under Great Blue Wall Initiative

Collaborative efforts drive conservation of seagrass ecosystems, advancing coastal resilience and sustainable blue economy goals

Under the Great Blue Wall initiative, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) brought together key seagrass experts from the Western Indian Ocean region to discuss the status of seagrass ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean region, through the Western Indian Ocean Coastal and Ocean Resilience (WIOCOR) project.

About WIOCOR

In the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, with its 13 reported seagrass species, these ecosystems cover wide areas of near-shore soft bottoms through the 12, 000 km coastline (Gullström et al., 2002). These seagrass ecosystems are critically important to the communities and countries that depend on them, including by acting as nurseries to fisheries, and for protection of coastal zones. However, seagrass ecosystems remain under- protected, and the current rate of decline of seagrass ecosystems impacts the WIO’s ability to fully benefit from their ecosystem functions.

The Western Indian Ocean Coastal and Ocean Resilience (WIOCOR) project, recognises the importance of these seagrass ecosystems and is one of the key projects of the Great Blue Wall Initiative. Supported by the French Fund for Global Environment (FFEM), WIOCOR aims to build capacity on governance of seagrass ecosystems while supporting the development of a regional network of locally driven impact projects and research. It is partnering with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) to implement its knowledge pillar, designed to support seagrass research.

About the Workshop

The Western Indian Ocean region is equally home to globally significant research on seagrass, with some of the world’s leading seagrass experts being based in the region. Several experts converged in Zanzibar to discuss the development of a technical status report on seagrass for the region.

“The start of the consultative process under the WIOCOR project is a key milestone in safeguarding the Western Indian Ocean's seagrass biodiversity and securing its benefits for future generations. The collaborative regional approach allows us to tackle the challenges of climate resilience and sustainable development in these keystone ecosystems effectively across the countries of the WIO. Together, we are empowering both technical experts and coastal communities to become stewards of their seagrass resources” stated Dr Jacqueline Uku who is the Principal Research Scientist at The Kenyan Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

“The WIOCOR project is an opportunity to communicate with different scientific partners and researchers regionally and internationally about the knowledge on the status of seagrass in Comoros. This project is very important for the Comoros National Parks Agency and the coastal local communities which depend in the marine ecosystem for livelihoods” said Mr Anrifiddine Ousseni, In Charge of ecological monitoring for the marines’ ecosystems at Comoros National Parks Agency.

Dr Lantoasinoro Ranivoarivelo, Senior Lecturer at the University of Toliara, Madagascar, emphasized the significance of this workshop. It’s crucial as it enables me to present the status of the seagrass ecosystem in Madagascar. It also provides a valuable opportunity to engage with fellow experts and foster regional partnerships aimed at empowering communities in the management of seagrass ecosystems and it also paves the way for expanding research opportunities in northern Madagascar

“Conserving seagrass ecosystems is not only a commitment to biodiversity but also to the livelihoods intertwined with these habitats as well as nature-based solutions to climate change. The WIOCOR project offers an unprecedented platform for science and policy to meet, building a legacy of sustainable practices. It’s a promising model for collaborative conservation across East Africa.” Stated Dr Blandina Lugendo, Senior Lecturer and Dean, from School of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es salaam.

In response to this, the Great Blue Wall Initiative has initiated a transformative project focused on long-term conservation of seagrass ecosystems across Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The WIO Coastal and Ocean Resilience (WIOCOR) project approaches seagrass ecosystem through an integrated approaching focusing on locally driven seagrass governance, science, and projects, with the aim of strengthening these habitats’ contributions to socio-ecological resilience and regional blue economy objectives.

In partnership with WIOMSA, IUCN is supporting the development of the Regional Seagrass Status Report, a collaborative and multi-disciplinary endeavour gathering regional experts to develop a baseline on the current state, trends, and challenges facing seagrass ecosystems in the countries of the WIO as well as at regional level. The Report will also inform implementable actions relating to investment and blue economy efforts across the region as well as dynamic community engagement in the process of seagrass conservation and restoration. The inception workshop, taking place October 30-31, 2024, provides a platform for regional scientists to take stock of the status of research on seagrass in the region, evaluate existing data, identify gaps, and develop the pathway for the development of the report.

Reflecting on the importance of these habitats, an IUCN representative said, “The region's seagrass assets are key to the fight against climate change, as well as being critical to our food security due to their nursery function for commercially viable fisheries. Understanding the seagrass ecosystems in the region is important and developing tools and databases which allow us to design better conservation, and blue economy measures as well as support policy makers, considering that the WIO's seagrass are important not just for the local climate-biodiversity-economic agenda, but globally as well. We are privileged to have some of the world's most prominent seagrass experts in the region, and their work is critical to the global understanding on seagrass ecosystems.

The Expert meeting was followed by a full day workshop on the consideration of seagrass ecosystems in the Red List of Ecosystems, supported by the ReSea project. Denise Nicolau, Blue Nature pilar lead under the GBW, highlighted that “This science-driven collaboration underscores our commitment to building resilience and advancing sustainable blue economy opportunities. Together, we are enhancing research, strengthening policy, and empowering coastal communities to safeguard these vital resources for generations to come. I am truly excited to be part of this team and to work together toward our shared vision.”

Focused Regional Actions and Partnership Impact

As the WIOCOR’s project’s knowledge partner, WIOMSA facilitates broad engagement, gathering insights from a range of stakeholders to guide multidisciplinary science and policy for the seagrass initiative. This foundational report is envisioned to serve as an essential guide for practical seagrass management, addressing policy needs, ecosystem benefits, and community livelihoods.

“Seagrass research is still low in comparison to research on other coastal habitats. Through the regional initiatives we aim to strengthen the knowledge base on seagrass. An expanded understanding of seagrass in the WIO will go beyond academic findings and empower local decision-makers with critical insights to protect these vital ecosystems,” noted the WIOMSA Executive Director, Dr Arthur Tuda

WIOMSA will thus lead the knowledge component of WIOCOR under the umbrella of the Blue Nature pillar.

For further information on the process and to get involved, kindly contact [email protected]

About International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is a membership Union of government and civil society organisations. Together, we work to advance sustainable development and create a just world that values and conserves nature. Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of our more than 1,400 Member organisations and 16,000 experts. This diversity and expertise make IUCN the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

About WIOMSA

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association promotes the educational, scientific and technological development of all aspects of marine sciences throughout the Western Indian Ocean region with a view towards sustaining the use and conservation of its marine resources.

About The Great Blue Wall Initiative (GBW)

The Great Blue Wall (GBW) is a transformative, Africa-led initiative rooted in the Global South, driving a holistic approach to coastal and ocean conservation, regeneration, and resilience-building within the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Placing people, equity, and local stewardship at its core, GBW envisions a thriving, regenerative blue economy and a resilient, nature-positive world by 2030. Through a coalition of nations and partners coordinated by IUCN, GBW aims to establish a socio-ecological corridor of conserved and restored blue ecosystems that will shield coastal communities from climate impacts, enhance biodiversity, and empower local stakeholders to become stewards of the ocean. Built on four pillars i.e. Blue Planet, Blue Nature, Blue People, and Blue Partnerships. GBW strives to meet the global target of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 through strengthened governance, restoration of critical blue ecosystems, socioeconomic benefits through sustainable blue economy activities, and the creation of impactful, innovative partnerships that accelerate conservation efforts across the WIO region.

It is noted that under the Great Blue Wall Financing Facility, a window for small grants has been opened for locally led projects on seagrass in target seascapes. Learn more here!

About the Nairobi Convention

The Nairobi Convention fosters collaboration among Western Indian Ocean nations, aiming for a resilient marine environment that enhances sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.