SWIOTUNA has recently participated in the WWF SWIO Learning Exchange, that took place at the Palm Beach Resort in Nosy Be, Madagascar, from 3rd to 8th November 2024. This learning exchange focused on Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS). The main objective was to share and scale the impact of successful conservation models across the SWIO region.

The program included engagement with local coastal community initiatives, allowing participants to learn directly from successful, community-led projects.

The learning exchange provided a platform for SWIOTUNA and other attendees to share insights and foster collaborative approaches that benefit both the environment and community well-being.

SWIOTUNA participated in the National consultative/stakeholder feedback workshop for the Kenya Tuna Fisheries Development and Management Strategy 2024-2029 held at North Coast Beach Hotel, Kilifi County on the 25th of October 2024. The main objective of the  one day meeting was for the consultant to give feedback and present the draft Tuna Fisheries Development and Management Strategy 2024-2029 for stakeholders to review and input and finalize. 

The workshop was organized under the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development Project (KEMSFED) and brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, academia, and fisheries community leaders, to strengthen the draft through collective insights.

Key highlights from the workshop included a plenary session where participants reviewed and provided extensive feedback on the draft, suggesting refinement of key sections and ensuring inclusion of all stakeholders .  Group discussions were held and focused on the strategy's stakeholder analysis, the proposed implementation framework, and the need for stakeholder engagement throughout the document's finalization. Emphasis was also placed on aligning the strategy with national priorities and regional guidelines, including the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) standards and ensuring the document is keen in pushing for commercialization of the tuna fisheries. 

The meeting produced some key actions to ensure finalization of the strategy and included incorporation of the inputs and feedback gathered and development of an abridged version of the strategy for wider public engagement.

In conclusion the workshop made a significant step in refining the Kenya Tuna Fisheries Development and Management Strategy. Through this strategy, Kenya aims to establish a sustainable, profitable tuna fisheries sector that aligns with both national and international standards, positioning the country as a key player in the global tuna market while supporting local communities.

SWIOTUNA held a strategic meeting with the Regional Coordinator for Anglophone Africa of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FITI), Dr. Godfred Ameyaw Asiedu, at our Nairobi office. The meeting focused on the implementation of the FITI process in Kenya and ways to promote greater transparency and sustainability in the country’s fisheries sector.

Present was the Chair of SWIOTUNA, Chair of the Indian Ocean Water Body Network, representatives from TUFAK, the Kenyan Oil and Gas Working Group, and the SWIOTUNA secretariat. We agreed on a number of actions among them to collaborate on advocating for the Kenyan government's commitment to FITI and aim to enhance transparency and sustainability in the fisheries sector.

#fisheries #transparency #fiti

Fisheries Transparency Initiative WWF Madagascar Tuna Fisheries Alliance of Kenya Nairobi Convention Ourbluefuture

SWIOTUNA participated in a 3- day Blue Economy Innovation and Investment summit 2024 themed ‘’Building an Inclusive Blue Future- supporting jobs and economic opportunity for youth and women’’ which sought to expand knowledge and opportunities that will foster the growth of the blue economy in Kenya. 

The summit’s main objective was to explore sustainable development of the sector through multi stakeholder engagement underpinned on global best practice frameworks, the African Union and Kenya’s blue economy and fisheries strategic plan 2023-2027. 

The main expectations of the meeting were to enhance networking, promote rich conversations, facilitate deals and investment in the Blue economy. 

SWIOTUNA participated in a three-day stakeholder’s workshop on the FAO voluntary guidelines on Fishing gear marking organized by Kenya Maritime Authority in partnership with Tuna Fisheries Alliance of Kenya (TuFAK), IMO and FAO. The aim of the workshop was to create awareness/sensitization and build capacity on the national legislation that touch on the GloLitter key principles, whilst borrowing best practices from both IMO and FAO

The stakeholders’ workshop also included a discussion for consideration of any draft amendments in relation to MARPOL Annex V, London Protocol. The stakeholders’ workshop was held on the 14th to 16th of August 2024 at Premium Inn hotel, Mombasa. In attendance were participants from the state and non-state actors. The workshop was facilitated by experts from the GloLitter project, FAO, TuFAK and KMA.

SWIOTUNA participated in a two-day strategy workshop organized by Our Blue Future (OBF), a multi stakeholder initiative for inclusive sustainable blue economy in the western Indian ocean region. SWIOTUNA is a key partner to the OBF representing its membership. 
The meeting brought together OBF partners to reflect on OBF progress and strategize on how to enhance its effectiveness and explore opportunities to achieve a shared vision in advancing inclusive sustainable blue economy in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO).  The meeting was held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya on the 3rd to 4th September 2024. 

The workshop also involved a presentation of the WWF Financial Flows Report, "Leveraging Sustainable Blue Economy Finance in the SWIO Region: Insights and Opportunities,"  to engage stakeholders on Blue Economy financial flows, outline tools for a sustainable transition and explore collaboration opportunities.

The workshop concluded with the launch of the Blue Finance Innovation Team.

SWIOTUNA  participated in a regional workshop aimed at setting up a Marine Coastal based natural resource management (CBNRM) learning network to build coastal community capacity at scale. The workshop was held in Diani, Kwale County, Kenya from the 16th to 19th July 2024 and brought together conservation practioners and relevant training institutions from different countries in the SWIO. SWIOTUNA volunteered to be part of the the steering team, be a lead organization in reaching out and connecting the network with communities as well as identifying their capacity needs.

SWIOTUNA  participated in a regional workshop aimed at setting up a Marine Coastal based natural resource management (CBNRM) learning network to build coastal community capacity at scale. The workshop was held in Diani, Kwale County, Kenya from the 16th to 19th July 2024 and brought together conservation practioners and relevant training institutions from different countries in the SWIO. SWIOTUNA volunteered to be part of the the steering team, be a lead organization in reaching out and connecting the network with communities as well as identifying their capacity needs.

The Global Small Scale Fisheries summit #SSF 2024 held in Rome, Italy from the 5th to 7th July gathered over 300 stakeholders working with small scale fisheries around the world.

This critical event provided a platform for SSF actors to engage, coordinate, facilitate and inform the integration of small scale fishers views in relevant policy process at the global, regional and national level. During the 3 days the participants celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the SSF guidelines and discussed on collectively working towards the implementation of the guidelines.

SWIOTUNA was proudly represented by its member organization Community Action for Nature Conservation

SWIOTUNA extends warm congratulations to all the representatives of the Small scale fisheries organizations, NGOs, CSOs, academia, governments and organizers for the wonderful and key event of the year to celebrate and recognize the small scale fishers in the world

SWIOTUNA participated in a pivotal workshop convened by WWF in Dar es Salaam Tanzania, from the 8th to 12th June 2024. The main objective of the workshop was to build on the capacity of the CSOs on  policy research capacity and align strategies in small-scale fishing (#SSF) advocacy. In attendance were members organization from TUFAK, Tuna Alliance Tanzania, FOSCAMC, House of civil societies MOSC, Federation of Artisanal small scale fishers FPAOI, WWF Madagascar and WWF Tanzania, EARFISH and Our Blue Future OBF. 

The workshop was a crucial step following an assessment being undertaken by SWIOTUNA and its partners on the SSF Guidelines, Policy Frameworks, and Reform Strategy (PFRS), along with its 10-Year SSF Action Plan. The aim of the assessment being to reflect on the adoption, operationalization, and performance of these frameworks, evaluate their integration into policies and practices, measure the success and progress of implemented strategies, and review milestones achieved since the guidelines and action plan were adopted. Additionally, the assessment will identify challenges hindering implementation and extract lessons learned to inform future efforts.

The preliminary findings of the assessment will guide on the development of report on the status of the adoption, operationalization and implementation of the SSF guidelines in the SWIO region. This will inform future advocacy work in the adoption and implementation of the guidllines in the SWIO countries 

SWIOTUNA participated in a pivotal workshop convened by WWF in Dar es Salaam Tanzania, from the 8th to 12th June 2024. The main objective of the workshop was to build on the capacity of the CSOs on  policy research capacity and align strategies in small-scale fishing (#SSF) advocacy. In attendance were members organization from TUFAK, Tuna Alliance Tanzania, FOSCAMC, House of civil societies MOSC, Federation of Artisanal small scale fishers FPAOI, WWF Madagascar and WWF Tanzania, EARFISH and Our Blue Future OBF. 

The workshop was a cruscial step following an assessment being undertaken by SWIOTUNA and its partners on the SSF Guidelines, Policy Frameworks, and Reform Strategy (PFRS), along with its 10-Year SSF Action Plan. The aim of the assessment being to reflect on the adoption, operationalization, and performance of these frameworks, evaluate their integration into policies and practices, measure the success and progress of implemented strategies, and review milestones achieved since the guidelines and action plan were adopted. Additionally, the assessment will identify challenges hindering implementation and extract lessons learned to inform future efforts.

The preliminary findings of the assessment will guide on the development of report on the status of the adoption, operationalization and implementation of the SSF guidelines in the SWIO region. This will inform future advocacy work in the adoption and implementation of the guidllines in the SWIO countries 

SWIOTUNA participated in the 2024 Africa Regional Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Summit, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from the 5th-7th June 2024. The summit was attended by representatives from over 30 African countries, with a total participation of more than 350 individuals. The summit convened stakeholders from across the continent to address the challenges and opportunities facing SSF communities. 

The summit was hosted ahead of the Global SSF Summit in Rome, Italy, and focused on integrating African perspectives into global agendas, emphasizing policy frameworks, sustainable practices, and economic empowerment. 

The Global SSF Summit aims to take stock of implementation of Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) and inform future priority actions. The Africa Summit offered a space, in particular for small-scale artisanal fishers, fish workers and their affiliated organizations, and other key partners at African and national levels to share and combine their voices to inform the global dialog and processes.  

The Summit provided an opportunity for SWIOTUNA to:  

1. Engage with stakeholders from member states and regional institutions to foster dialogue on the integration of SSF frameworks into national policies and practices. 
2. Contribute African perspectives and priorities to the global SSF dialogue, ensuring that the voices of small-scale fishers and their communities are integrated into future global SSF strategies and actions.

The summit concluded with commitments to amplify SSF voices, integrate global guidelines locally, and foster inclusive blue economy strategies for sustainable development.

SWIOTUNA team participated in the 28th Session of the IOTC held in Bangkok @ Swisohotel from 13th -17th May 2024.  11 conservation and management measures were adopted by the Commission. These include Resolutions on

• Climate change,
• management of Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices in the IOTC area of competence,
• on the establishment of a list of vessels presumed to have carried IUU fishing in the ITOC area of competence,
• on a regional observer scheme,
•  on the establishment of a programme for transshipment by large scale fishing vessels,
• on a ban of discards of bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna and non-targeted species caught by vessels in the IOTC record of authorization that operate in IOTC area of competence, on management procedures for Skipjack Tuna,
• on management procedure for Swordfish,
• on promoting compliance by nationals of contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties with IOTC conservation and management measures,
• on the promoting of the implementation of IOTC conservation and management measures and conservation and management measure on marine pollution. 

It's disappointing to note that the proposal regarding yellowfin tuna was not adopted,

The highlight of the meeting was a cocktail event that we hosted by SWIOTUNA on IUU fisheries. It was well attended by heads of delegations, the Executive Secretary, fellow observers, and other distinguished guests. The cocktail provided an opportunity for interaction and networking among the delegates and raised the profile of the network.

SWIOTUNA attended a networking seminar on Illegal Unreported and Unregulated, IUU, fishing from 22nd -26th April 2024 in Oslo, Norway. The seminar focused on sharing experiences on IUU fishing and fisheries crime. The meeting was organized by WWF Norway. 
The interactions and key learnings gained from the seminar will play a vital role in enhancing our commitment to empower the communities and engage with the government in combating IUU in the region.

SWIOTUNA was invited to a science café which is a partnership between Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and Alliance Francais (AF) to share through a panel discussion on the perspectives on how scientific enquiry can be designed to support sustainability of the tuna fishery both in Kenya and in the WIO region.

The science café offers a platform for scientists to showcase their work and interact with the local community around scientific issues. It also offers an opportunity to obtain feedback and ideas on how to advance science for impact on ocean management, societal benefits and policy interventions

The meeting was attended by NGOs: TNC, CANCO, WWF, government institutions -KEMFRI, university students and the general public. 

The setup of the meeting was through technical presentations from KEMFRI on research on small tuna and Industrial Tuna and panel discussion from TNC, WWF and SWIOTUNA. 

SWIOTUNA shared the perspectives on national and regional tuna networks and the insights on the research information needed for decision making advocacy.

SWIOTUNA actively participated in the 6th session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA6), which took place concurrently with the 6th meeting of the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-6) from February 19th to March 2nd, 2024, at the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The overarching objective of UNEA-6 was to address the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution through multilateral cooperation.

During the event, SWIOTUNA engaged in various side events aimed at enriching understanding and fostering action on critical environmental issues: This included

• Role of civil society in multilateral actions in addressing the triple planetary crisis. 
• Beyond Boundaries - Unlocking Synergies in Africa’s Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus:
• Stepping Towards Ratification and Implementation of BBNJ Agreement
• UNEP regional seas programme at 50- trailblazing ocean governance for five decades:
• Role of Artificial Intelligence in Addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis:.

At the end of the meeting, SWIOTUNA committed to the following actions:

• To amplify the voice of civil society to advocate for policy change, raise public awareness, and form partnerships that will influence decision-making processes at both national and international levels.
• To foster collaboration for Sustainable Development: 
• Advocate for Ratification of the BBNJ Agreement: 
• Supporting Regional Seas Programmes: through ocean governance, capacity-building efforts, and partnerships with governments and stakeholders. 
• Explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing global environmental challenges, 

SWIOTUNA recently concluded its Annual general meeting that was held at Bliss resort Mombasa Kenya on the 7th to 8th December 2023. The AGM was held on a back to back basis with training workshop "Enhancing Awareness and Capacity for Non-State Actors in Regional and International Instruments for the Blue Economy Sector in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Region." that was held from the 4th to 6th December. 
Discussions centered on sharing lessons, achievements, success stories, challenges faced, outlining future plans, and setting priorities for 2024.

Additionally, it provided a platform for SBE program implementers to showcase their progress and present plans for 2024, alongside sharing their advocacy strategies. The meeting served as an invaluable opportunity for members to exchange experiences, enabling mutual learning and potential future collaborations.

In attendance were 46 representatives drawn from WWF Madagascar and SWIOTUNA affiliates from Kenya (TUFAK), Tanzania (TUNA Alliance of Tanzania), Comoros (MOSC), Mozambique (FOSCAMC), Seychelles (FPAOI), and Mauritius (FPAOI) Tanzania (TUNA Alliance of Tanzania), Comoros (MOSC), Mozambique (FOSCAMC), Seychelles (FPAOI), and Mauritius (FPAOI).
As the meeting concluded, participants expressed gratitude for the platform to share progress and learn insights from other members in terms of what they are doing. The discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration and highlighted possibilities for joint efforts among the organizations in the future

SWIOTUNA  conducted a training workshop titled "Enhancing Awareness and Capacity for Non-State Actors in Regional and International Instruments for the Blue Economy Sector in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Region." The workshop was held at the Bliss Resort Hotel in Mombasa, Kenya from December 4th to 6th, 2023.
The primary goal of the workshop was to increase the knowledge, awareness, and capabilities of non-state actors concerning regional and international instruments governing the sustainable blue economy sector, encompassing fisheries within the West Indian Ocean
The workshop was attended by 46 participants, including the private sector actors,  civil society organizations (CSOs), fishers and fish traders  drawn from Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Comoros*; two experts/consultants , one representative from the Government of Kenya and one representative from Jumuia Ya Pwani (Coastal Counties Blue Economy Federation). The experts delivered technical insights and expertise on various facets pertinent to to the topics and themes of regional and international policy instruments.

At the end of the workshop participants increased their understanding and knowledge on the relevant regional and international legal and policy instruments and how this instruments can be impactful in bringing about improved ocean governance and accelerating the transition to inclusive sustainable blue economy in the SWIO region.

SWIOTUNA recently participated in the 2023 #MarineRegionsForum, from 7th -9th November at the Ramada Resort Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The overarching theme of the conference was "Navigating Ocean Sustainability in the WIO and Beyond." The three-day conference provided an invaluable platform for leading scientists, decision-makers, and stakeholders to convene and foster informal exchanges. The primary objective was to catalyze the transformation of ocean governance through regional actions and initiatives, ultimately aiming to develop innovative solutions for sustainable ocean governance.

The Marine Regions Forum 2023 addressed specific issues through plenary and workshop sessions, brought together by three daily themes – Inclusivity, Innovation, and Implementation.

During the forum, SWIOTUNA had the honor of co-chairing a session alongside Dominic Stucker from the Collective Leadership Institute. The session focused on the critical topic of inclusivity within regional ocean governance, particularly within the Regional Ocean Governance Systems (ROGS). Participants engaged in sharing their experiences concerning stakeholder engagement and reflected deeply on strategies to ensure the active inclusion of underrepresented groups, such as local communities, women, youth, and small-scale fishers, in advancing the implementation of ROGS.

This collaboration and dialogue aimed to pave the way for more inclusive and effective strategies in ocean governance, acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives and participation for sustainable and equitable outcomes.

SWIOTUNA remains committed to advancing these critical discussions and contributing to the development of inclusive and comprehensive ocean governance frameworks.

SWIOTUNA was represented in a co-design workshop of the Coastal community venture Builder for the SWIO region that was held in Cape Town, South Africa on the 26th and 27th September 2023. The main objective of the meeting was to first confirm the necessity and purpose of a venture builder program in the SWIO region. Secondly to refine the program’s goals, vision and pilot phase, which includes establishing program-level governance and defining priority areas. Thirdly, to clarify roles and identify implementation partners followed by co-developing a comprehensive implementation plan, including budget considerations. Finally, the aim is to formalize a community of practice to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within the context of the venture builder program.

The workshop outcomes included a donor ready proposal supported by implementation partners, a well-defined governance structure with roles clarified for key delivery partners, a list of potential donors from philanthropic, public and private sectors and the formation of a robust community of practice with agreed best practices for engagement.

SWIOTUNA was invited by WWF to participate in an Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESSF) training workshop held from the 17th to the 19th of October 2023 at Lugar dor Mar Hotel in Macaneta, Mozambique. The primary goal of this training was to develop ESSF focal points across the Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) region. The training covered on the following topics, including introductions to safeguards, the different types of safeguards, stakeholder analysis and engagement, mitigation planning and risk analysis, grievance mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation.

The workshop was facilitated by both national and regional experts from WWF who provided technical input and valuable insights on the various aspects related to the topics and themes of ESSF.
The workshop saw the participation of 32 individuals from WWF (Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, South Africa) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating in the SWIO region.

At the end of the workshop, participants expressed their sincere appreciation for the training, acknowledging that it significantly enhanced their knowledge and capacity concerning environmental and social safeguards. They also conveyed their commitment to using the knowledge gained to serve as focal points in their respective areas of work.

WWF-Kenya in collaboration with SWIOTUNA, undertook a training workshop on #SustainableBlueEconomy from the 26th to 28th September 2023 at the Travelers Beach Hotel Mombasa. The main objective of the training was to increase the participants understanding on the system of #blueeconomy, envision a goal for the blue economy and access to financial resources to improve the blue economy sector.

The training was facilitated by a national expert from WWF who provided the technical input and insight on the various aspects related to the topics and themes of SBE.

The workshop was attended by 37 participants from the government, CSOs, small-scale fisherfolks, BMUs, private sector and media.

At the end of the workshop each participant left with a strengthened understanding of the Sustainable Blue economy. They mentioned that not only did the training enhance their understanding but also ignited a vision for sustainable Blue economy. They also emphasized the critical need for improved access to financial resources to boost the Blue economy sector.

They all agreed to disseminate this knowledge and insight to the grassroots communities so as to empower these communities with the tools and awareness needed to participate actively in the sustainable Blue economy journey.

#SustainableBlueEconomy #blueeconomy #Conservation

WWF in collaboration with SWIOTUNA conducted a Regional training workshop on Marine Fisheries advocacy and communication from 15th-18th August 2023 at Madinat Al Bahr Hotel in Zanzibar Tanzania. The workshop was attended by 40 participants from Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Madagascar and Comoros 

The workshop provided a platform to increase our knowledge and skills on the role of CSOs in advocacy, the different advocacy strategy, techniques and tactics, build our confidence in collaborations and partnerships, and understand Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Knowledge Management systems, processes and principles. 

The workshop was delivered in a unique way with members being actively engaged in group work discussions, presentations, storytelling, role playing, surveys and Q&A sessions. 

At the end of the workshop the Country CSOs and Regional CSO SWIOTUNA managed to develop an advocacy template that will be used progressively to address issues of SBE and IUU in the region 

WWF and SWIOTUNA jointly organized a webinar titled “Collaborative Conservation: Exploring Opportunities under the New World Trade Organization WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement for SWIO Countries” on the 24th July 2023 with the main aim of creating awareness on the various contours of the World Trade Organization agreement and tap on the opportunities available that can lead to improved national as well as regional governance frameworks and the establishment of sustainable fisheries management measures tailored to the unique characteristics of the SWIO region.

The main objective of the webinar was to enhance the capacity of SWIO countries CSOs on the fisheries subsidies agreement to prepare an entry point in terms of identifying other advocacy issues that the CSOs can engage in to enhance sustainable fishing practices.

The webinar had a total of 41 participants drawn from the SWIOTUNA member networks in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, Comoros and Mauritius.

Also WWF took this opportunity to do a CSO capacity assessment on advocacy skills which helped in effectively planning for the training workshop in August.

As part of capacity building and empowering local communities to take leadership and stewardship role for improved governance and management of coastal and marine resources, the South West Indian Ocean Tuna Platform (SWIOTUNA) with the support of WWF in collaboration with the OBF Secretariat recently completed a lesson learning tour to Kenya. The three-day mission which took place from 26th to the 28th June 2023 involved 20 representatives from the different stakeholder groups including fisherfolk and representatives of Civil Society Organisations who are SWIOTUNA members drawn from Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar.

The main objective of the mission was to offer an opportunity to the SWIOTUNA members to learn and share experiences on various on the ground led Inclusive Sustainable Blue Economy solutions by different stakeholder groups including the private sector, local communities and the government in an integrated approach as well as explore opportunities for scaling out and up in the respective Southern Western Indian Ocean (SWIO) range countries.

The team visited various public, private sector and community led on the ground blue economy initiatives which included Mikoko Pamoja in Gazi (Kwale County), Kuruwitu Community Conservation Association in Mtwapa (Kilifi County), Ngomeni Beach Management Unit (BMU) in Magarini (Kilifi County), Crab Alive Ltd in Magarini (Kilifi County), Tropical SeaLife Ltd in Mtwapa (Kilifi County) and Liwationi Fishing Complex in Mombasa City (Mombasa County)

At the end of the learning tour all the sites visited showed some highly contextual good practice based on the local situation and demonstrated significant achievements in harnessing the blue economy potential. Nevertheless, there were also some challenges and barriers that limit transition to inclusive sustainable blue economy developing within the context of local communities and the private sector.

SWIOTUNA conducted an organizational capacity assessment on the 19th and 20th June 2023 at Nyali Sun Africa Beach and spa hotel in Mombasa Kenya with its members from Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique and Madagascar who have been part of the Lead the change programme Phase one.

The main purpose of the exercise was to gauge the development of the capacities which SWIOTUNA has acquired during the years of implementation of the LtC program and have a close out meeting that will lead to the complete phase out of the lead the change programme 2018-2023. The OCA exercise was supported by WWF Mozambique and was conducted by a consultancy company from Mozambique known as Kixiquilla.After the meeting the results from the OCA assessment were synthesized to produce a success story booklet.

SWIOTUNA participated in the Blue Economy Knowledge share fair co-organized by the Intergovernmental authority on development (IGAD), African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and ECOFISH programme with the support of the Sweden government and European Union in Mombasa Kenya .

The main theme of the Blue Economy knowledge share fair was “Leveraging Blue Economy through efficient small scale fisheries management and Aquatic Biodiversity conservation to build the Africa we want”. The main aim of the event was to enhance knowledge dissemination through the regional dialogue platforms.The Blue Economy Knowledge share fair was delivered in the following methodologies; Poster session,  Exhibition, Parallel sessions and a Panel Discussion.

SWIOTUNA took this opportunity to do an exhibition and showcase the work of small scale fishers in the region in the blue economy space. SWIOTUNA also participated in the parallel sessions whereby we shared about our work to the delegates. SWIOTUNA was also part of the panel discussion represented by SWIOTUNA network coordinator Doreen Simiyu where we shared on unlocking the potential of a sustainable blue economy in the South West Indian Ocean.

Through this opportunity SWIOTUNA was able to:

• Increase information among stakeholders to inform and influence the development of future blue economy activities (panel discussion and parallel sessions)

• Share on the outputs that could inform the development of future collaborative projects (exhibition booth)

• Dialogue with policy makers to influence decisions at different levels.

The 27th session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission was held from 8th to 12th May 2023 at the intercontinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava, Mauritius. The meeting had a few positive outcomes with the commission adopting 9 conservation and management measures. However, despite the positive outcomes, the key issues on rebuilding of the yellow fin tuna stocks and management of the drifting fishing aggregating devices FADS was not adopted. A number of proposals were submitted to the commission but they were objected due to lack of scientific evidence and data to support implementation of this proposal especially the implementation of drifting FAD closure in the Indian Ocean.

Objection of this conservation and management measures continues to delay implementation and thus the sustainability of the fish stocks continues to be affected. The yellow fin is still being overfished affecting the recovery to the already overfished stocks. The drifting Fishing and aggregating devices FADs are also contributing to the fish mortality of the juvenile fish stocks.

SWIOTUNA submitted a position statement calling on the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) to recognize that the stocks of tunas in the Indian Ocean has been severely depleted and shall continue depleting due to the lack of commitment from the Contracting parties CPCs to apply corrective Conservation and Management Measures. There is need to review and stop catching of the juveniles resulting in the cutting of the reproduction chain of the tuna.

SWIOTUNA also decided as a way forward to develop a working group that shall focus on pushing for the agenda proposal submitted by Seychelles on establishing a working party on the socioeconomic aspect of the fisheries in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission area of competence. SWIOTUNA will push to ensure that the rights of fishers are a priority to the commission when decisions are being made.

Our member organization MOSC from Comoros held a roundtable discussion on Marine spatial Planning with women fishers from MALE in South of the island of Ngazidja, Comoros. The discussions were moderated by Said Moussa an internal consultant from MOSC .

Main objective of the meeting was to address issues related to the governance of marine resources and the establishment of Marine Spatial Planning in the country. Also to initiate women in the process of setting up the Marine spatial Planning in the country by listening to their opinions and their recommendations.

At the end of the meeting 28 women representing two groups from the locality of MALE were made aware of the challenges and advantages of setting up Marine Spatial Planning in the Union of the Comoros

SWIOTUNA cohosted a side event during the 27th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission held from 8th to 12th May 2023 at Intercontinental Mauritius resort Balaclava with Federation des Pecheurs Artisans de l'Ocean Indian [FPAOI) on 9th May 2023 in Mauritius on the Challenges of Tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean.

The side event was held at The Ravenala Attitude Hotel and brought together 50 delegates from small scale fisheries In Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles, Madagascar and Reunion.

Objective of the meeting was to showcase the work of (SWIOTUNA), Federation des Pecheurs Artisans de l'Ocean Indian (FPAOI) and small scale fishers in the SWIO countries in amplifying voice of the small scale fishers in the sustainable management of tuna and tuna like fisheries.

We highlighted the key challenges faced by tuna fishermen of the Indian Ocean region including the destructive impacts of over exploitation of tuna resources in the region.

SWIOTUNA participated in a regional workshop on ‘Promoting transparency for sustainable Marine Fisheries through Collective Actions in the South West Indian Ocean Region. The workshop was held in Eden Bleu Hotel, Seychelles from 29th -30th March 2023.

The workshop;

• Enhanced the understanding of transparency approaches to fisheries management information, ocean-based vessel monitoring and seafood traceability.
• Highlighted current transparency initiatives, case studies and experiences within the SWIO region.
• Discussed opportunities for strengthening data collection, information distribution and stakeholder engagement.
• Identified the benefits, challenges and gaps and exploring opportunities to create synergies for increasing transparency in fisheries management within the SWIO region

The workshop was jointly organized by the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy of Seychelles, WWF and Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI)

The workshop brought together fisheries stakeholders (Government representatives, Industrial fishing companies, Small Scale Fisheries, Civil Society) from Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania.

SWIOTUNA was represented in the meeting by its members from Tanzania – Tuna Alliance of Tanzania, Mozambique – FOSCAMC (Forum of Civil Society Organizations for the Marine and Coastal Area), Madagascar – CNPE(Coalition Nationale de Plaidoyer Environmental), Kenya – Tuna Fisheries Alliance of Kenya.

Our member organization MOSC from comoros held a marine spatial training on 12th of January 2023 at Simaboini located in the South of the island of Ngazidja. Main objective of the meeting was to Strengthen the capacities of CSOs fishermen members of the MOSC Ngazidja in animation, communication and awareness on MSP, integrating the gender aspect and conflict management while respecting human rights. 

At the end of the training 35 members (13 women and 22 male) were trained in awareness and communication on MSP. Six (06) focal points were identified to initiate training on the MSP in other associations, groups and cooperatives of fishermen members of the MOSC. The training has enabled the MOSC to increase its visibility in local communities.

SWIOTUNA member organizations from Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar and Comoros participated in a virtual training on Human and Labor rights in fishing convened by WWF China under the NORAD programme. The training was facilitated by Christine Bader a Maritime specialist at ILO and Alix Nasri accelerator lab Programme coordinator ILO.

Purpose of this training was to empower the members on the international labor standards on work in fishing, forced labor and ILO strategy to prevent and address forced labor. Also share links between IUU fishing and forced labour practices globally.

So far 21 countries have ratified convention 188 of the International Labor Organizations. To find out which countries have ratified convention 188 use this link. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:11001:::NO:::

SWIOTUNA attended a participatory discussion to develop a join plan for 2023. This meeting is held every two months to plan and identify on areas of collaboration and discuss on how we can address our common challenges.

Agenda of the meeting was to have a debrief from the previous call, discuss the scaling strategy (scaling deep, scaling up and scaling out) and have a round of updates about coastal communities work from  partners (CORDIO, SWIOTUNA Finance earth and WWF SWIO)

Action points from the meeting was to prioritize the scaling approach for 2023 and create a learning network to build capacity of local communities to be more effective in conservation.

In 2021 SWIOTUNA was granted an observer status to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission IOTC, as such we are allowed to participate in all IOTC meetings. One such meeting was the 11th meeting of the technical committee allocation criteria (TCA11) that took place from 30th January to 2nd February 2022 at Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort Convention Centre and Spa, Mombasa, Kenya. 

Our participation was through in person and virtually. We developed a policy paper that was submitted to the IOTC secretariat and used to engage the delegates. Also in efforts to raise our visibility within the IOTC we shared the SWIOTUNA profile to the members.

SWIOTUNA preparatory meeting to the upcoming Indian Ocean Tuna Commission 11th meeting of the technical committee on allocation criteria (TCAC11) that will be held from 30 January to 2nd February at Pride inn paradise beach resort conventional Centre and spa Mombasa, Kenya. Purpose was to discuss on how we can engage and participate in the meeting.

A team was selected to develop a position paper  that will be submitted to the IOTC secretariat and also used to engage the delegates. Also we shall have an in person participation to network and raise our profile/visibility within the IOTC.

On 25th November 2022, our member organization CNPE (the national coalition of environmental advocacy) from Madagascar in collaboration with Ministry of Territorial Planning and Land Services (MATSF), the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy (MPEB) and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) co-organized the validation workshop of the maritime atlas of the Analanjirofo Region for the effective implementation of Marine Spatial Planning for the promotion of the Blue Economy in Madagascar. Main purpose was to build a common understanding and vision between all users of maritime space, harmonize the various human activities at sea and in coastal areas taking into account environmental, cultural and socio-economic, then Validate with all stakeholders the maritime atlas of the Analanjirofo Region.

At the end of the workshop, copies of the duly validated maritime atlas were officially handed over to the authorities of the Analanjirofo Region. The Analanjirofo Region now has a maritime atlas like the 03 other regions: Atsimo Andrefana, DIANA and SAVA.

SWIOTUNA participated in a capacity building workshop on marine spatial planning (MSP) and information management in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) region from 28th November to 1st December at Protea Courtyard Hotel, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The workshop was convened by the Nairobi Convention secretariat in partnership with South west Indian ocean fisheries commission (SWIOFC) project and GIZ Western Indian Ocean governance initiative (WIOGI) project to implement the Western Indian Ocean Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme Policy Harmonization and Institutional Reforms’ (SAPPHIRE).

The workshop increased the understanding of the participants on MSP, its key elements and how it can be applied in local and national contexts, and to support the intentions and implementation of the WIO MSP Framework. The workshop further strengthened the national data experts on data collation, analysis, and presentation to inform MSP and ocean governance. The knowledge and networks created from the workshop will be used to engage in the marine spatial planning discourse in the country and the region at large.

SWIOTUNA participated in a regional CSO workshop convened by WWF on 24th and 25th of November 2022 at Garden court Victoria junction hotel Cape Town, South Africa. In attendance were CSO members of SWIOTUNA from Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Comoros and South Africa. Purpose of this workshop was to share, inform and strengthen, WWF and its partners’ knowledge on WWF's social policies, environmental and social safeguards principles, social cross-cutting issues (gender, Human-Rights Based Approach (HRBA) and Conflict) and identify how CSO partners view WWFs roles, their long term needs and priority areas for collective action in 2023.

Some of the shared priorities identified during the workshop for collective action included resource mobilization, integrated ocean governance, youth led climate change, policy formulation, livelihood development and fisheries.

Prior to the 4th World small Scale fisheries congress at South Africa we had submitted an abstract on Ánchoring small scale fishers in the SWIO towards sustainable fisheries and livelihoods’’ which was approved. As such we were a panel discussant and presented the abstract during the session on Accelerating coastal community led conservation through sustainable blue economy for small scale fisheries. This was featured in the congress proceedings.  We shared our experiences on how securing sustainable small-scale fisheries and management of marine resources lies in the way fishers organize to harness and manage the fisheries resources through collective decision-making and voice and the linkage with our work on organizing fisher folks in the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) region from a local, national and regional level for better representation and engagement in national and regional decision-making processes.

The 4th World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress series is part of IYAFA(International Year for Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022) which recognizes and celebrates the billions of people whose lives and livelihoods are artisanal fisheries and aquaculture around the world.  SWIOTUNA participated in the 4th World Small scale Fisheries Congress (4WSFC) from 21st to 23rd November 2022 at Lagoon beach hotel in Cape Town South Africa.Theme of the Congress was leading by examples and leadership in sustainable small scale fisheries.

Purpose of the congress was to further collaboration in highlighting and recognizing the contributions of small scale fisheries to food security, protection of livelihoods and contribution to 2030 agenda and sustainable development goal 14.

SWIOTUNA participated in a low cost data and MCS tools (monitoring, controlling and surveillance) workshop that was held in South Africa from 14th-17th November 2022 and one of the workshop delivery method was field work visit to ABALOBI station based in Cape Town. It is a registered public nonprofit and public benefit organization backed by ABALOBI labs. It seeks to contribute towards thriving, equitable and sustainable small-scale fishing communities globally through use of technology. One of the technological services they offer is fisher to market place and monitoring . It enables fishers to collect and manage fishing data thus giving them more agency in their business. This enhances fisheries transparency and traceability by linking the fishermen with the market. 

SWIOTUNA participated in a WWF results sharing and low cost data collection and MCS tools (monitoring, controlling and surveillance) workshop for improved management of small scale fisheries in the south West Indian Ocean region at garden court Victoria junction hotel in Cape Town South Africa from 14th -17th November 2022.

The workshop presented the  key findings of the baseline studies under the SWIO sustainable blue economy programme, and IUU fishing; Raise awareness on modern approaches for collecting fishery data, and undertaking MCS including the electronic fisheries information system; Highlight various initiatives for promoting sustainable fisheries management i.e., fish catch data collection, and IUU mitigation techniques; and Compile information based on the presentations to develop proposals on low-cost data collection and MCS tools for piloting in the SWIO region. This assisted to provided clarity in terms of the role of the CSOs in implementing the low cost systems and understanding the findings of the study.

Our member organization from Comoros MOSC (House of civil societies) during a Marine spatial plan training at Retaj Hotel.

https://youtu.be/2Ktdyz2EdGI

SWIOTUNA partcipated in the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium 2022 and the launch of our Blue Future Initiative at Port Elizabeth, South Africa. We were part of the panel discussant but due to unforseen circumstances our panelist representative  was not able to make it however, we were still acknowledged and given a chance to speak to the audience and bring the voice, concerns, and aspirations of the small-scale fishers to the forum. The meeting further provided a platform for networking and increasing the visibility of the network.

SWIOTUNA held a workshop on the 19th-20th October 2022 in Tanzania to develop blue economy policy brief that will be used by the members to inform the engagement on blue economy policy development in their respective countries. The workshop was attended by 15 CSOs from Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar and Tanzania. The workshop was facilitated by 2 network members who guided the members in the process of identifying the issues to be captured in the policy brief. As a result of the meeting a 9 -point policy brief was developed that will inform the development of sustainable blue economy policies in the respective regions.

SWIOTUNA held a regional capacity building workshop for its member CSOs from Kenya, Madagscar, Mozambique,Comoros , Tanzania and Seychelles on right based approaches to fisheries management and equity in fisheries access arrangements in the SWIO region so as to engage in influencing policies and lobby for transparency in licensing, equity in benefit sharing and human rights for fishers.

As a result of the training the members agreed and saw the need to develop an engagement strategy on regional Minimum Terms and Conditions for granting fisheries access arrangements that will ensure the members have a united front and coherent in the engagement process.

SWIOTUNA held an engagement meeting with its network in Comoros MOSC to follow up on the process of forming a fisheries alliance in Comoros. The process of mobilizing and organizing the fishers alliance started in 2019. As a result of the meeting, the fishers network was officially launched, the constitution of the network validated and leadership team (11 members- 7 male 4female) elected by the members to spearhead their work. 

SWIOTUNA will continue to work with and mentor the network. As a way forward, we are in the process of developing an MOU with the  fishers network and the government that will define our terms of engagement.

SWIOTUNA members (16-10male, 6 female) participated in a 3-day virtual workshop organized and facilitated by WWF team on multi-taxa bycatch mitigation measures focused on drift/ gillnets in the Indian ocean from 29th-31st August 2022. Objective of this workshop was to undertake evaluation of existing mitigation measures for their sustainability to reduce bycatch of multiple taxa in drift/gillnet fisheries/gears and to scope and assess the feasibility of novel or experimental measures being developed for this purpose in the Indian Ocean. The workshop;

• Provided an overview of the existing and new potential bycatch mitigation measures applicable for drift/gillnet fisheries
• Demonstrated how to replicate, scale and strengthen data collection protocol to assess the effectiveness of multi-taxa bycatch mitigation measures in IOTC
• Developed recommendations for the IOTC WPEB to be discussed

It is envisaged that the members will use the knowledge gained in engaging in fisheries management in their respective countries.

SWIOTUNA and WWF Madagascar webinar on Assessing the foundations for delivering a sustainable blue economy on the South West Indian Ocean on August 24, 2022 from 10am-12pm. The webinar had a total of 83 participants drawn from SWIOTUNA members the WWF family and other Civil Society Organizations in the region. The facilitators of the webinar were Resolve and Sustain value, Madagascar.

The main purpose for this webinar was to discuss the findings and recommendations for the baseline study on assessing the foundations for delivering a sustainable blue economy on the South West Indian Ocean.

SWIOTUNA organized a two day training(15th to 16th June 2022) for  trainer of trainers(ToTs) on Marine Spatial Planning. The training was administered by Mr. Zachary Maritim, who provided an in depth understanding of various steps involved in MSP, the challenges and opportunities, the governance involved, as well as the data and information sets needed and how stakeholders can input in the process.

 In attendance were CSO and national tuna fisheries forum representatives from countries of the SWIO region including: Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Tanzania/ Zanzibar and Madagascar

SWIOTUNA secured support to implement a 5-year programme (7th December 2021 -31st December 2025) on ;Unlocking a sustainable blue economy in the South West Indian Ocean;. The project funding comes from WWF Madagascar through Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA), WWF Sweden, WWF Norway and NORAD. In order to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the grant, we have planned for an inception meeting on 14th June 2022. The purpose of the meeting is to create a shared understanding of the programme and strategize on implementation.

The event will be a three day workshop form  8th February to 10th February 2022. The event is convened by   World Wide Fund for Nature.

The objective of the workshop  is:
1. To establish a vibrant community of practice across the region of those organisations working to support the sustainable development of coastal communities.
2. To establish an ecosystem of partners/'coalition of the willing' who are interested in collaborating to explore the creation of a shared 'Hub' which can serve the region's coastal communities and organisations working alongside coastal communities to foster inclusive and sustainable blue economic development. It could, specifically support (a) on-ground interventions to provide capacity, resources and support to ideation, incubation and acceleration and b) facilitate seed/development funding and investment to scale projects through portfolio level strategies.