WorldFish @ 13th WIOMSA Science Symposium

WIOMSA Symposium: Showcasing Innovation and Collaboration in the Western Indian Ocean

The WIOMSA Symposium is a pivotal event for WorldFish and the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS), spotlighting project activities and outcomes across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). As a convening space for governments, scientists, fisheries stakeholders, and development partners, it provides a vital platform to exchange knowledge, shape policy, and scale solutions for sustainable ocean management.

This year’s theme highlights the opportunities and challenges of building an interconnected blue economy in the region—one that balances ecological health with socio-economic development. Inspired by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and the Ocean Decade Africa Roadmap, the theme is grounded in three core pillars:

Science as a Foundation for Decision-Making
Policy as a Catalyst for Collaboration
Communities as Stewards of Sustainability

WorldFish and AABS at WIOMSA

WorldFish, through the AABS initiative, will showcase cutting-edge work across four key work packages—from advancing fisheries data harmonisation and digital transformation, to piloting Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), to presenting gender-focused research on fish loss and waste, and sharing coastal stewardship tools in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

The symposium also presents opportunities to highlight knowledge management efforts, foster cross-country learning, and strengthen linkages across gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) as well as the COAST program. Through keynote addresses, special sessions, and joint events with WIOMSA, IRD, and the Blue Foods Partnership, WorldFish and AABS will emphasize science–policy linkages, investment opportunities, and collaborative action for a resilient WIO blue economy.

We look forward to your participation in shaping the future of the Western Indian Ocean’s sustainable blue growth.

Event Schedule
*All times are displayed in Mombasa, Kenya local time

Tuesday, 30 September 2025
| Mini-Symposium: Advances in Data Science and Digital Transformation for Small-Scale Fisheries
| Time: 09:00–16:00
| Speakers:

Pascal Thoya (WorldFish) – AI Tools for Fish Effort: A Case Study of Ring Net Fisheries in East Africa
Prisca Issangya (Early Career) – Small-Scale Fisheries in Zanzibar: A Comprehensive Characterization Using Digital Monitoring Data
Alex Tilley (WorldFish) – Fishery Nutrient Profiles as Tools for Nutrition-Sensitive Fisheries Management
Camara Andrianjaka (PhD, University of Reunion) – Digital Atlas of Coral Reef Fisheries in Madagascar
Deutz Zafimamatrapehy (PhD, IRD) – A Locally Developed Collaborative Information System for Small-Scale Fisheries
Alex Tilley – A Horizon Scan of Artificial Intelligence in Small-Scale Fisheries
Ephrazia – Assessing the Impact of Ocean Temperature and Depth Variations on Small Pelagic Fish Catches in Zanzibar
Japhet Tembo (Early Career) – High-Resolution Vessel Monitoring Reveals Small-Scale Fisheries' Role in Kenya’s Blue Economy

| Session Overview:
Small-scale fisheries are essential to food security and livelihoods across the WIO but are often overlooked due to fragmented or missing data. Digital transformation and regional data harmonisation offer real-time monitoring, better decision-making, and fairer access to services and investments. This session will explore tools—from mobile reporting to AI-driven analytics—that promote equity, collaboration, and efficiency in fisheries management.

Thursday, 2 October 2025
| Enabling and Incentivising Coastal Stewardship – From Tools to Action
| Time: 14:00–16:00
| Participants:
Representatives from IIED, Sustain East Africa, WIOMSA, Mwambao Coastal Community Network, and consultants from AABS Mozambique (Simeão Lopes and Manuel Castiano), with participation from community leaders in Tanzania and others (CORDIO – TBD).

| Session Overview:
Coastal communities, especially small-scale fishers and fish workers, are vital to ocean health, biodiversity, and global food security, yet they often bear the highest costs of conservation while benefits flow elsewhere. This session will showcase practical tools that can enable and incentivise coastal stewardship - such as social protection, subsidies, market solutions, and measures to secure tenure rights - through case studies from Tanzania, Mozambique, and Kenya, followed by a World Café discussion on successes, barriers, and priorities. Together, participants will identify next steps to scale models that support nature, livelihoods, and food and nutrition security in the WIO region, advancing the Ocean Decade Africa Roadmap.

Friday, 3 October 2025
| Fisheries Data Harmonisation in the WIO – Building a Regional Data Ecosystem
| Time: TBD
| Speakers:
Alex Tilley (WorldFish) and Marc Leopold

| Session Overview:
This session addresses the need for harmonised coastal fisheries data systems to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and support ecosystem-based management. Fragmented national systems undermine regional sustainability. Drawing on an endorsed business case, this session will present a strategic roadmap for national and regional data integration across the WIO.
| Register here

Date TBD
| Gender Dynamics in Fish Loss and Waste – Challenges and Inclusive Solutions
| Time: TBD
| Speaker:
Sara Bonilla (WorldFish)

| Session Overview:
Fish loss and waste present significant food security and economic challenges, especially for women, who face barriers in accessing preservation technologies, finance, and mobility. This session will explore gender-responsive strategies—including co-developing technologies, promoting financial inclusion, and capacity-building—to empower women and reduce loss across the fish value chain.

We look forward to your active participation. Click here to learn more.

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