10th – 15th October 2022
South Africa

Endorsed by:

Mini Symposia

Photo credit: Karen Bowles

Photo credit: Karen Bowles

The WIOMSA Mini-symposia are sessions that focus on presenting and discussing issues of regional importance for the purpose of developing syntheses on the current status of knowledge, furthering research and policy recommendations, and/or introducing novel perspectives and approaches.

Mini-symposia aim to establish connections with other research communities within and outside the region. This year’s sessions are aligned to the symposium theme of A New Decade of Ocean Science.

Read more about the each Mini-Symposium below.

Monday 10th October 2022 (1600- 1740 Hrs)

  1. State of knowledge and future of Intertidal invertebrate bait exploitation and management in the Western Indian Ocean

This mini symposium is expected to create awareness on the impacts of bait fishery to the environment, highlight the need for research, policy and management of fishery for the conservation of the marine environment; especially the coastal environment. The session outputs shall be a document outlining research needs and a policy brief.

Watson, G. -Sustainable Management Of Inter-tidal Fisheries: A UK Case Study (oral)
Wangondu, V.; Muthumbi, A.; Simon, C.; Kihia, C.; Smith, K.; Cedras, R.; Mahatante, P.; Katikiro, R.- Overview of intertidal invertebrates harvesting and their use in the WIO. (poster)

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  1. Perspectives on Plastic Waste Generation and Management: Challenges and Possible Solutions for Sustainable Cities and Coasts in Africa – A Case Study of the Western Indian Ocean Region

This session aims to bring together participants to discuss around the main challenges facing African countries in plastic waste management, highlighting the benefits brought by these materials to humanity as well as the associated negative impact on human health, the environment, and the economy. Several successful and failure stories and interventions that are currently being employed for plastic waste management worldwide will be shared.

Machecha, A. D.- Plastic waste generation and management: the challenges facing African urban centres – we ban, we change, or we collect it?
Tywabu- Ngeva, Z. – Could recycling process and biodegradable plastics be the magic solutions to the plastic waste pollution problem in Africa?
Mutuma, B. – Applications of nanotechnology in plastic waste recycling and management
Midheme, E- The role of governments, policy makers, industry, and international co-operation in the successful and sustainable plastic waste management in Africa
Mutuma, B.- Biodegradable plastics
Mhlanga, S.D.-Plastic waste management: designing business solutions for wealth creation in Africa
Gulamussen, N.J. – Plastic waste management: designing business solutions for wealth creation in Africa – Practical examples from Mozambique
Karanja, N.M.- Plastic waste management: designing business solutions for wealth creation in Africa – Practical examples from Kenya

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  1. Creating a future for Marine Spatial Planning in the Western Indian Ocean

This mini symposium will present the Regional MSP Strategic Framework for the WIO (commissioned by the Nairobi Convention) and discuss innovations (such as systems approaches) that can provide spatial and temporal scenarios for MSP futures in the WIO. The symposium aims to: share the Regional MSP Strategic Framework for the WIO and seek feedback from participants on its recommendations; engage with participants on aspects of regional MSP that remain challenging, for example, geo-politics, ocean crime, dynamic ocean management, climate-smart MSP, the inclusion of cultural knowledge, etc.; and capture new knowledge for a peer-reviewed scientific publication (that will add to the existing regional Strategic Framework and Policy Brief already produced).

Lombard, A.T. ; Clifford-Holmes, J.K. ; Snow, B.; Goodall, V.; Smit, K.; Strand, M.; Truter, H. Horigue, V.- A Strategic Framework For Marine Spatial Planning In The Western Indian Ocean (oral)
Smit, K.P.; Clifford-Holmes, J.K; Horigue, V.; Lombard, A.T.; Snow, B. – Supporting The Development Of A Regional Marine Spatial Planning Strategy For The Western Indian Ocean: Findings From A Situational Analysis (oral)
Odhiambo, S.; Maina,J.; Molelu, M.-Integrating the needs for maritime and shipping sector into Marine Spatial Planning: Case Study Mombasa.  (poster)
Lemahieu. A; Lombard, A.T.; Truter, H.; Snow, B. -Designing A Marine Spatial Planning Methodological Framework For Algoa Bay (Gqeberha, South Africa): Challenges And Lessons Learned. (oral)
Strand, M.; Rivers, N.; Snow, B.- Recognising The Importance Of The Cultural Oceanscape In Regional Marine Spatial Planning (oral)
Rivers, N.; Strand, M.; Snow, B- Integrating Indigenous And Local Knowledge Into Marine Spatial Planning Processes: Lessons From Algoa Bay, South Africa (oral)
Smith, J.; Sims, H.; Tingey, R.; Jeremie-Muzungaile, M.- Using Climate Change Risk Mapping To Zone For Marine Protection Goals In The Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan (oral)
Vermeulen, E. ; Clifford-Holmes, J.K.; Lombard, A.; Lemahieu, A. -How System Dynamics Modelling Can Support MSP In The WIO Region (oral)
Gothberg, M. ;  Hammar, L.; Carneiro, G.; Isaksson, I.; Gardmark, M.-  9 Factors Enabling Local Blue Growth In A Development Context – Results Synthesised From Four Studies (poster)
Sims, H. ; Smith, J. ; Jeremie-Muzungaile, M. M.; Tingey, R. – From Zoning To Implementation Of The Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan (poster)

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  1. Studying the complexity of success in collaborative protected areas: a case of octopus closures in the WIO

Following on a special session run at Wiomsa 2019 the OctoPINTS project aims to conclude their work with a mini symposium inspired by the methodological approaches adopted over the past three years. In the 2019 session, OctoPINTS, together with practitioners and academics, explored diverse perspectives on what success meant in the context of periodic octopus closures across the WIO. The subsequent OctoPINTS research has explored both how Zanzibari communities perceive the success of community-based octopus closures as well as factors that lead to more or less successful outcomes.

Lindkvist, E.; Daw, T.- Causal Complexities In Small-scale Fisheries: Combining Stories And Simulations For Understanding The Social-ecological Dynamics Of Periodic Octopus Closures (oral)
Drury-O’Neill, L.; Mwaipopo, R.; Lindkvist, E.; Daw, T.- Compliance, Complexity And Cephalopods- Outcomes And Experiences Of Collaborative Marine Conservation (oral)

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  1. Tackling today’s Science, Research and Leadership for the Ocean Decade in the Western Indian Ocean

 The objectives of the proposed mini-symposium are four-fold: (1) to bring together a diverse audience to share success, lessons and examples of effective science, research and leadership for the Ocean Decade (2) to share and operationalize work plans for increasing visibility, awareness and communication of current and emerging ocean research and leadership (3) to collectively enhance sustainable resource mobilization and (4) to diversify and increase the support network for sustaining the pipeline for science, research and ocean leadership.

Kihia, S.; Uku, J.; Ater, S.; Kioko, M.; Kadagi, N.; Wambiji, N.- The Inclusion Of Artists In Ocean Science Communication (oral)
Uku, J.; Kihia, S.; Ater, S.; Kioko, M.; Kadagi, N.; Wambiji, N. -Integrating Art into Ocean Literacy for policy and practice in Kenya (oral)
Ater, S.; Kadagi, N.; Wambiji, N.; Osore M.K.- Accelerating Capacity For Science, Research, Policy And Leadership For The Western Indian Ocean (WIO): A Case Study Of The WIOMSA-MASMA Funded BILLFISH-WIO Project (oral)
Kadagi, N.; Gomez-Byers, F.- Leveraging Funding Support To Enhance The Capacity For Ocean Science, Research And Leadership: The WWF-Education For Nature Approach.
Wambua, S.- Building Change, Leveraging Intentionality: A personal account of developing capacity in the conservation genomics in resource poor setting
Glaser, S.;  Hassan, J.-  Training The Next Generation Of Somali Marine Scientists

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  1. Improved fisheries management in Tanzania: The Contribution of SWIOFish Program

Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) was commissioned by the Government of Tanzania to conduct stock assessment on five selected priority fisheries, viz: small pelagic species, tuna and tuna-like species, octopus, prawn, and reef fisheries. These priority fisheries were designed based on social, economic, nutrition and environmental criteria, as well as, in certain cases, the existence of an “Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management” (EAF) management plan for the fishery. Studies for the priority fisheries focused on all coastal districts from Tanga to Mtwara for a period of 5 years. The mini symposium will comprise of 13 presentations cutting across all five priority fisheries.

Kimirei, I. A.-  Improved Fisheries Management In Tanzania: The Contribution Of SWIOFish Program (oral)
Peter, H.K.; Sailale, I.; Kuguru, B.L.; Semba, M- Distribution Patterns Of Ring Net Fishery In The Pemba And Zanzibar Channels (poster)
Kuguru, B.L.; Sailale, I.;  Peter, H.K.; Semba, M; Kimirei, I. A.-  Potential Fishing Zone In Support Of Marine Fisheries Management In Tanzania (poster)
Adam, C.; Mwijage, A.; Shayo, S.; Sululu.J; Sekadende B; Kuguru B.: Kangwe.J- Prawn Species Composition, Abundance And Distribution, Along Tanzanian Coastal Waters (poster)
Mwijage, A.; Kuguru, B.;  Mwakosya, C.; Sekadende B.; Kishe.M.; Rushingisha, G.; Semba, M.; Kimirei, I.- Characterization Of The Feeding Patterns And Reproductive Dynamics Of Bigeye, Kawakawa, And Frigate Tuna And Tuna-like In The Pemba Channel Ecosystem (poster)
Rutaihwa, P.; Mbije, E.; Lamtane,H- Characterization Of The Reef-associated Elasmobranchs Fishery In Tanzania Mainland (poster)
Mboni, E.; Kashindye, B.;  Mwijage, A.; Sekadende, B.;  Mwakosya, C.; Shayo, S.; Sululu, J.; Kangwe, S.; Sweke, I.; Shaban, S.; Kuguru, B- Diet Composition And Feeding Habits Of Small Pelagic Fish Species Targeted By Ring Nets In In Coastal Waters Of Tanzania
Sweke, E.A; Kashindye, B.B.; Mboni V. E.; Sululu, J.; Kangwe.J; Mwakosya,C.; Shayo.S; Sekadende, B.; Kuguru.B; Shabani. S; Kayanda, R- Reproductive biology of the common small pelagic fishes from ring net fishery in the Tanzanian coastal waters (poster)
Mgeleka, S.; Silas, M. Kuboja, B.; M, S.; Ngatunga, B; Kishe,M.- Spatial And Temporal Variation In The Catch Rates And Size Of Octopus Cyanea In Tanzania (poster)
Silas, M.; Semba. M.; Kishe, M.; Mgeleka, S.; Kuboja, B.; Ngatunga,B- Seascape Features Govern Catches Of Big Blue Octopus, An Essential Parameter For Sustainable Fisheries Management. (poster)
Sululu, J.; Kangwe, S.; Mwakosya, C.;  Kuguru, B.; Shayo S.; Mwijage, A.; Ngosha.M; Sekadende, B.- The Stocks Status Of Two Dominant Species (Metapenaeus Monoceros And Fenneropenaeus Indicus) From Tanzanian Coastal Waters (poster)

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