Western Indian Ocean

The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region encompasses the mainland states of eastern Africa and the island states of the Indian Ocean. The marine ecosystems of the region are dominated by coral reefs, mangrove forests, and sea grass beds that support important marine and endangered species including dugongs, sea turtles and sharks.  These ecosystems also contribute to the livelihoods of coastal communities in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. WCS has been involved in marine conservation in this region since 1991, primarily through its Coral Reef Conservation Project (CRCP) and Western Indian Ocean Project (WIO) based in Kenya, as well as through marine and cetacean conservation activities in Madagascar, and the White Shark Conservation Project in South Africa.

The Human Aspect
The economies of many of the countries of the WIO region are dependent on coastal resources primarily through fisheries, tourism, and shipping. The sustainable management of these sectors is crucial to the development of most nations, however, the complexities of marine systems and their associated scientific, economic, social, legal, and institutional issues make it difficult to implement effective management. Despite this, management systems that incorporate stakeholders in planning and implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) and integrated coastal area management (ICAM) have been established in many WIO countries.

Threats
The primary threat to marine systems in the region is increased unsustainable and destructive fishing as a result of population growth coupled with management systems that do not effectively support sustainable fisheries.  Fishing pressure and other threats, including sedimentation, coastal development, and unsustainable management practices are leading to losses in marine biodiversity, decreased fisheries, and changes in ecosystem diversity and community structure.  Coral reefs are also particularly threatened by climate change effects such as bleaching.

WCS Activities 
WCS collaborative research studies in the WIO are designed to provide information on the region’s ecosystems and species, and to support the planning, establishment, management and assessment of marine protected areas.  WCS works with a diverse group of partners from local institutions such as the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), fisheries operators across the region, the Marine and Coastal Management Institute in South Africa, and SAGE and ANGAP in Madagascar. WCS also contribute to regional and international initiatives, such as the Agulhas/Somali Current LME project. Over the years WCS has conducted more than 40 research and conservation projects in the region, including ecological assessments and monitoring of coral reefs in Kenya, Tanzania, Maldives, Mauritius and Madagascar; fisheries management studies in Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar; MPA management effectiveness studies in Kenya’s MPAs; humpback whale studies in Antongil Bay, Madagascar, and assessment of conservation needs for great white sharks in South Africa. Many of these WIO conservation projects have also incorporated and educated local people through capacity building and training components.  Currently WCS marine program activities focus mainly on 1) assessment of MPAs for biodiversity protection and fisheries management 2) global climate change and effects on marine ecosystems 3) effects of fishing practices and indigenous management on fisheries catches, species diversity, and reef ecology 4) methods to restore coral reefs that have been degraded by heavy fishing, pollution, or coral bleaching 5) assessments of the effectiveness of management of current systems 6) providing technical advice to relevant government agencies and social organizations in developing sustainable resource use for coral reefs 7) capacity building by fostering the professional development and training of marine scientists in coral reef ecology and management practices and 8) supporting the coordination and general development of marine science in the tropics.

Important Next Steps
• Review and develop marine and coastal management strategies in close collaboration with national management institutions.
• Expand regional surveys to develop a more comprehensive knowledge system of marine ecosystems in WIO.
• Conduct ecological assessment for the establishment of new marine protected areas in Madagascar and other countries in the region.
• Assess the role of climate change and its role in shaping management systems on coral reef diversity and productivity.