WIOMER
The project
The Western Indian Ocean Marine Ecoregion (or WIOMER) encompasses coastal and marine waters of Comoros, France-Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles.
As part of the biogeographic province of the Indo-Pacific, this marine ecoregion is characterized by high ecological diversity and productivity. The Marine Protected Areas Network Project is a program of the Indian Ocean Commission and implemented by WWF Madagascar and West Indian Programme
Office.
The project’s overall goal is to contribute to the maintenance of the biodiversity and marine and coastal resources of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Ecoregion, through a coherent regional network of effectively managed Marine Protected Areas. To reach this goal, the project has four main components including the development of a regional strategy for biodiversity and marine resources management through an ecoregional approach; the support of existing and newly created marine protected areas (MPA) ; the development of a Regional Forum of MPA managers and an awareness and communication programme related to the importance of MPA.
Office.
The project’s overall goal is to contribute to the maintenance of the biodiversity and marine and coastal resources of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Ecoregion, through a coherent regional network of effectively managed Marine Protected Areas. To reach this goal, the project has four main components including the development of a regional strategy for biodiversity and marine resources management through an ecoregional approach; the support of existing and newly created marine protected areas (MPA) ; the development of a Regional Forum of MPA managers and an awareness and communication programme related to the importance of MPA.
Toliara coral reef
Achievements to date
Component 1 : Development of a regional strategy for biodiversity and marine resources management
As part of the ecoregional analysis, a Regional Strategy has been developed for the first time aiming at conserving marine ecosystems and fisheries. Within the strategy are proposed A Vision, 51 marine priority seacapes and sites of specific importance and 7 key initiatives for regional action (2010 to 2015) are also proposed with this strategy. Furthermore, 15 anthropogenic drivers of change were identified and mapped, ranked and weighted on the basis of their potential impact on habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and other coastal and offshore habitats. In close collaboration with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the proposed strategy will be submitted to the government authorities of the member countries of the IOC and to all key stakeholders in the region for its validation.
As part of the ecoregional analysis, a Regional Strategy has been developed for the first time aiming at conserving marine ecosystems and fisheries. Within the strategy are proposed A Vision, 51 marine priority seacapes and sites of specific importance and 7 key initiatives for regional action (2010 to 2015) are also proposed with this strategy. Furthermore, 15 anthropogenic drivers of change were identified and mapped, ranked and weighted on the basis of their potential impact on habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and other coastal and offshore habitats. In close collaboration with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the proposed strategy will be submitted to the government authorities of the member countries of the IOC and to all key stakeholders in the region for its validation.
Project Data
- Managing Office: WWF Madagascar and West Indian Ocean Programme Office
- Address: WWF Madagascar and West Indian Ocean Programme Office - B.P. 738 - Antananarivo 101 - Madagascar - +261 20 22 348 85
Component 2 : Strengthening existing MPA or supporting new MPA creation processes
In Rodrigues, support given to the Riviere Banane Marine Reserve has led to the establishment of a draft of a Management Plan to be submitted to key involved actors; a concrete delimitation of the marine reserve through the installation or maker buoys; an appropriate control and surveillance system by a marine reserve Squad; and an adequate scientific and socio-economic monitoring program. After the 7 months of operationalization of the marine reserve, fishermen have noticed a significant increase in the size of octopus caught. The effectiveness of the marine reserve will be highlighted throughout the long-term monitoring program established by the team on site. In Mauritius, a biological inventory was conducted into the Balaclava Marine Park in order to strengthen existing baseline data future research and management decision. Marine park delimitation with marker buoys is also in progress.
In Seychelles, to better control threats from poachers, the system of control and surveillance of Curieuse Marine National Park and Aride Special Reserve has been strengthened through using radar technology.
Radar equipments (two in Curieuse, and one in Aride) are currently on their final implementation phase. In the World Heritage Site of Aldabra, support from the project commissioned a thorough audit of energy use breakdown and identified all energy-wasting practices and appliances. The first results have identified that the current system of fuel storage has been revealed to be unacceptable and dangerous, so this has become by far the most urgent issue to address in implementation of the new Environment Management System (EMS). The replacement of the old fuel tanks with an improved system to fit within overall EMS proposed for Aldabra has reduced significantly the immediate threats related to potential fuel spill and leakages and the hazards involved in transporting fuel from the supply vessel to storage. In Cousin Island Special Reserve, the mapping of marine environment and the assessment of the fish and benthic communities supported by the project, have produced a useful resource for marine research and a baseline to inform the selection of appropriate sites and species for a monitoring program.
In Madagascar, support from the project has given good development to the process leading to the official status of the future MPA spreading from Saint-Augustin to Tariboly (South western Madagascar). Indeed, official documents including ecological and socio-economic studies, draft of management plan, and results from the participatory delimitation process and environmental impact studies are available for submission to the involved authorities. The management and zoning plans are also established for the community-based MPA of Velondriake in order to move towards the official status, and this, thanks to the project support. In the framework of the development of a responsible tourism and the valorization of opportunities for economic returns in the future marine protected area of Nosy Tanikely (Northwest Madagascar), support was given by the project in tourism infrastructure investments (ecological toilets, terrestrial paths, welcome huts, information panels, bins) and marine park delimitation. This newly created MPA will soon receive an official status and will be fully operational from March 01 2010 with an effective entry fee.
In Rodrigues, support given to the Riviere Banane Marine Reserve has led to the establishment of a draft of a Management Plan to be submitted to key involved actors; a concrete delimitation of the marine reserve through the installation or maker buoys; an appropriate control and surveillance system by a marine reserve Squad; and an adequate scientific and socio-economic monitoring program. After the 7 months of operationalization of the marine reserve, fishermen have noticed a significant increase in the size of octopus caught. The effectiveness of the marine reserve will be highlighted throughout the long-term monitoring program established by the team on site. In Mauritius, a biological inventory was conducted into the Balaclava Marine Park in order to strengthen existing baseline data future research and management decision. Marine park delimitation with marker buoys is also in progress.
In Seychelles, to better control threats from poachers, the system of control and surveillance of Curieuse Marine National Park and Aride Special Reserve has been strengthened through using radar technology.
Radar equipments (two in Curieuse, and one in Aride) are currently on their final implementation phase. In the World Heritage Site of Aldabra, support from the project commissioned a thorough audit of energy use breakdown and identified all energy-wasting practices and appliances. The first results have identified that the current system of fuel storage has been revealed to be unacceptable and dangerous, so this has become by far the most urgent issue to address in implementation of the new Environment Management System (EMS). The replacement of the old fuel tanks with an improved system to fit within overall EMS proposed for Aldabra has reduced significantly the immediate threats related to potential fuel spill and leakages and the hazards involved in transporting fuel from the supply vessel to storage. In Cousin Island Special Reserve, the mapping of marine environment and the assessment of the fish and benthic communities supported by the project, have produced a useful resource for marine research and a baseline to inform the selection of appropriate sites and species for a monitoring program.
In Madagascar, support from the project has given good development to the process leading to the official status of the future MPA spreading from Saint-Augustin to Tariboly (South western Madagascar). Indeed, official documents including ecological and socio-economic studies, draft of management plan, and results from the participatory delimitation process and environmental impact studies are available for submission to the involved authorities. The management and zoning plans are also established for the community-based MPA of Velondriake in order to move towards the official status, and this, thanks to the project support. In the framework of the development of a responsible tourism and the valorization of opportunities for economic returns in the future marine protected area of Nosy Tanikely (Northwest Madagascar), support was given by the project in tourism infrastructure investments (ecological toilets, terrestrial paths, welcome huts, information panels, bins) and marine park delimitation. This newly created MPA will soon receive an official status and will be fully operational from March 01 2010 with an effective entry fee.
Aldabra giant tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) walking on the beach, Cousine Island, Seychelles. Vulnerable, it is endemic to the islands of Aldabra and the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, populations have also been introduced to Mauritius and Reunion.
Mauritius
Storm clouds over the ocean. Bird Islands, Seychelles
Component 3 : Development of a regional forum for MPA managers
Three meetings have been held since 2007 in the framework of the MPA managers’ network. During the first meeting, participants discussed the objectives of and expectations from this network and its possible structure. Then, sustainable financial mechanisms related to MPA were inventoried during the second meeting. As for the third meeting held at the dawn of the project’s ending, MPA managers developed a roadmap for its effective implementation including a logical framework, a proposed budget and action plan. An interactive website has been also developed at www.rg-amp-oi.org.
Three meetings have been held since 2007 in the framework of the MPA managers’ network. During the first meeting, participants discussed the objectives of and expectations from this network and its possible structure. Then, sustainable financial mechanisms related to MPA were inventoried during the second meeting. As for the third meeting held at the dawn of the project’s ending, MPA managers developed a roadmap for its effective implementation including a logical framework, a proposed budget and action plan. An interactive website has been also developed at www.rg-amp-oi.org.
Nosy Hara, Madagascar
Component 4 : Awareness and Communication programme
The Project website is available at www.amp-coi.org and an information bulletin “La Gazette des îles” produced.
In order to deliver results, a Communication Plan is established in which the awareness/education and information activities and the development of communication materials (such as posters, booklets, various visual material, website, film) are implemented.
In order to reach target audiences, support has been given to the national events in the region to deliver key message on the benefits of developing MPAs. An itinerary exhibit has also been organized to get young people familiarized with the ecoregion marine realm, its threats and the necessity to protect and manage it, and the reason for the project implementation.
www.rg-amp-oi.org
The Project website is available at www.amp-coi.org and an information bulletin “La Gazette des îles” produced.
In order to deliver results, a Communication Plan is established in which the awareness/education and information activities and the development of communication materials (such as posters, booklets, various visual material, website, film) are implemented.
In order to reach target audiences, support has been given to the national events in the region to deliver key message on the benefits of developing MPAs. An itinerary exhibit has also been organized to get young people familiarized with the ecoregion marine realm, its threats and the necessity to protect and manage it, and the reason for the project implementation.
www.rg-amp-oi.org
Befasy Village, Madagascar