CORDIO at the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium
The WIOMSA Scientific Symposium is the Western Indian Ocean’s largest open scientific conference, and a key forum for advancing regional dialogue on marine and coastal issues. The 13th edition will take place from 28 September to 3 October 2025 at PrideInn Paradise Resort in Mombasa, Kenya, and is endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Activity. Held under the theme “One Ocean, One Future: Connecting People, Policy, and Science for a Thriving Western Indian Ocean”, the symposium calls for deeper integration between science, policy, and community action in shaping a sustainable future for the region’s ocean and coastal systems.
This theme reflects the urgency and opportunity of the moment: the need for robust science to inform decision-making, policy that catalyzes cooperation, and empowered communities to lead stewardship on the ground. Together, these pillars define a regional vision for an inclusive blue economy—one that secures ecological integrity while supporting livelihoods and equitable development. The symposium provides a vital space to reflect, reframe, and renew collective commitments across these fronts.
CORDIO East Africa is pleased to contribute to this dialogue, bringing over two decades of experience working at the intersection of science, society, and sustainability. Our engagement at this year’s symposium spans keynote addresses, thematic sessions, and research presentations—all focused on bridging knowledge and action in coral reef and coastal systems.
Highlights include a keynote by CORDIO Director Dr. David Obura on integrating science into ocean sustainability frameworks; a special session on Bridging Science and Policy for Coral Reef Conservation in the WIO; and a mini-symposium, Blue Tourism in the WIO: Advancing Policy to Practice and Livelihood Development. We will also present new research on fish as indicators of coral reef ecosystem status and participate in the launch of a regional learning network focused on integrated management and shared learning across the WIO.
Find more information about our participation, including our full session schedule and presentation details, below.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The Meaning of Sustainability: Balancing Nature, Economy and Society.
WED OCTOBER 1 – 9.50 AM-10:20 AM EAT, Arabuko Hall
Global biodiversity loss and climate change are parts of intensifying poly-crises that result from a single source – the excessive conversion of nature for economic growth and financial gain. Balancing the relationships between nature, economy and society will be necessary to ‘bend the curves’ of the multiple crises. A critical foundation for success is to focus on maintaining healthy and sufficient nature at local scales, supporting biodiversity and human outcomes. This addresses equity among people, drivers of decline, and provides tangible opportunities to restore financial capital into natural capital.
In this talk, CORDIO Founding Director and IPBES Chair Dr. David Obura will link his background in coral reefs, climate change and small-scale fisheries in the Western Indian Ocean to the frameworks and approaches of the
Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), to show how balanced responses across nature, economy and society are needed to achieve global goals and point to the differentiated responsibilities and actions required among and within countries.
SPECIAL SESSIONS
Bridging Science and Policy for Coral Reef Conservation in the Western Indian Ocean
FRI OCTOBER 3, 9:00 AM-12:30 PM, Rastanawi
This session brings together stakeholders from the ten Nairobi Convention countries to collaboratively advance coral reef science and policy in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Anchored around the WIO chapter of the GCRMN Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025 report, participants will review regional findings and co-develop a roadmap to finalise the chapter. This process will serve as the foundation for a comprehensive WIO Coral Reef Status Report, the first since 2017, which aims to incorporate fish, sharks and rays, socioeconomic indicators, and the Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) findings.
The session will also launch regional engagement in the global coral reef RLE initiative and explore how WIO data and priorities can inform the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative (CRRI) 2030 Strategy to support the protection of climate-resilient coral reef ecosystems. Strengthening regional coordination through the Coral Reef Technical Working Group (CRTWG) under the Nairobi Convention, the session will generate actionable recommendations for the WIO Science-Policy Dialogue and COP12. By connecting science and policy, and fostering collaboration across disciplines and countries, the session will contribute to sustainable coral reef management and support delivery of SDG 14, the
Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
Blue Tourism in the Western Indian Ocean: Advancing Policy to Practice and Livelihood Development
TUE SEPTEMBER 30 – 4:00 PM-5:40 PM, Shimba Hall
Blue tourism represents 5% of GDP and supports approximately 7% of employment in the Western Indian Ocean. In Africa, Blue tourism is one of the established sectors of the blue economy contributing approximately US$ 39.2 billion to the continent’s GDP in 2019. In the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), the blue economy generates nearly US$ 20.8 billion and contributes on average about 10% to employment, playing a vital role in driving sustainable development in the region. Similarly, Nature-Based Tourism (NBT) contributes significantly to sustainable development. It can contribute to poverty reduction, economic growth, biodiversity conservation, and critical global accords like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. NBT’s unique ability to provide blue jobs and growth while protecting wildlife, marine, and coastal ecosystems make it an appealing option for WIO countries looking to develop their blue economies. These concepts seem similar, but the extent of the type of tourism is a defining feature. Nonetheless, both a pivotal for the blue economy and states that rely heavily on tourism for their GDP.
This mini symposium will be highlighting the impacts and positive outcomes of blue tourism and nature-based tourism, share cutting-edge blue tourism research to address key challenges, and explore opportunities to foster a more sustainable and inclusive tourism sector, in both science-policy and practices. Speakers will highlight best practices; propose innovative approaches and actionable recommendations to enhance decision-making, supporting a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient blue tourism sector.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Fish as Indicators of Coral Reef Ecosystem Status
WED OCTOBER 1 – 11:15 AM-5:40 PM, Shimba Hall
CORDIO Director Melita Samoilys will share findings from her latest study, Fish as Indicators of Coral Reef Ecosystem Status, published in Ecological Indicators (September 2025). This article brings together a series of studies that seek to understand how the complexity of coral reef systems and their associated fish assemblages in the WIO can be distilled down to a few easily measurable, and hence practical, aggregate fish indicators for managers and conservation practitioners. Fish indicators give insights into changes in coral reef communities under changing global conditions, but importantly there are a range of indicator responses dependent on the state of a reef system and the dominant pressures. These results can help guide assessments of conservation programmes and contribute to global EBVs being developed by GEO BON and to coral reef biodiversity targets set by the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD).
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
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Mapping Critical Habitats of Sharks in Kenya for Improved Management
We present findings from Kenya’s first shark tracking study, highlighting nursery use of Watamu Marine Park and the urgent need to protect critical habitats.
- With: Clare Thouless
- Location: Sail Fish
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
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Strengthening Resilience Potential Assessments for Coral Reef Management
We share insights from our published review of coral reef resilience assessments from around the world and their facility for the effective management of reefs.
- With: Dr. Mishal Gudka
- Location: Arabuka 1
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM
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Science-to-Policy Drivers for Sustainable Fisheries under a Changing Climate
Our study, conducted along the Kenyan coast from 2020 to 2023, highlights key findings on juvenile coral distribution and survival.
- With: Dr. Kennedy Osuka
- Location: Eco Ballroom
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM
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Maximizing OECM Opportunities for Community‑Led
LMMAs
We present findings from the WIO’s first regional assessment of LMMAs under the Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECM) framework.
- With: Geoffrey Odhiambo
- Location: Shimba
THURSDAY OCTOBER 2
3:00 PM – 4.00 PM
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Status of Multi-national Service Development to Support Blue Economy
We present the results of regional bleaching assessments, drawing on citizen science data gathered through expert submissions across the bleaching seasons
- With: Nimrod Ishmael
- Location: SS047
POSTERS
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH
2.00 PM – 6.00 PM
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Selectivity of Hook Size on Lethrinids in the Small-Scale Hook and Line Fishery, Kenya.
We present findings on the sustainability of Kenya’s small-scale hook and line fishery, showing that small hooks drive overfishing of key lethrinid species and recommending a shift to larger hooks to protect vulnerable stocks.
- With: Evelyne Ndiritu
- Location: Exhibition Space
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3OTH
2.00 PM – 6.00 PM
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Should Fish Biomass Guide Coral Reef Resilience?
We present an analysis of reef fish biomass trends, revealing instability across management regimes and highlighting the need to use biomass as a key indicator for guiding reef resilience and conservation strategies.
- With: Diana Karan
- Location: Exhibition Space
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1
2.00 PM – 6.00 PM
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Updating Ecological Knowledge on Sharks and Rays in Comoros
We present updated findings on shark and ray diversity in the Comoros, identifying 40 species and important habitats through two decades of data, to inform inclusive, evidence-based conservation and policy in the WIO
- With: Joshua Rambahiniarison
- Location: Exhibitor Hall
LAUNCH
For decades, the capacity-building efforts for coastal communities in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region have followed a familiar pattern: well-intentioned but isolated projects, limited in time and scope. While valuable, these short-term initiatives have consistently fallen short of addressing the recurring and complex capacity gaps faced by those on the frontlines of conservation. We are transitioning from addressing these recurring gaps through temporary projects to ensuring long-term community resilience via a permanent, transformative learning network.
Born from extensive collaboration and solidified during a pivotal stakeholder workshop in Diani, Kenya (July 2024), the network’s vision was further championed by key actors from across the SWIO region who convened in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (March 2025). Together, they defined the network’s mission, charted its strategic path, and unanimously agreed upon its name and logo: Bahari Learning Network. It is providing a platform linking communities, NGO, training and learning institutions, centralizing, translating, co-creating, and providing tailored training and learning resources for communities across the WIO region. Now, Bahari Learning Network is set to launch formally. This milestone event will take place during the WIOMSA Symposium pre-meeting- on 28th of September 2025, in Dodori Room.
Bahari Learning Network is a growing regional platform in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), uniting communities, training institutions, and NGOs to bridge traditional wisdom and modern conservation
and management—empowering coastal communities as lead stewards of the ocean and coastal resources for generations to come. Through affordable, accessible, adaptive, and competency-led learning opportunities, we empower innovation, facilitate mentorship, build valuable connections, and drive actionable research to support resilient coastal futures.
Bahari is championed by the cooperative efforts of WWF SouthWest Indian Ocean, CORDIO East Africa, WIOMSA – Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, IUCN, Wildlife Research and Training Institute and other committed partners.