IIED at the WIOMSA Scientific Symposium 2025
The 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium took place in Mombasa, Kenya from 28 September to 3 October 2025. The symposium is an endorsed UN Ocean Decade activity, aligning with global priorities to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.
Dhows (traditional sailing vessels) are used for fishing in northern Zanzibar (Photo: Alex Berger, via Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)
During the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium, IIED researchers and partners led discussions focused on enabling and incentivising coastal stewardship to unlock more effective and equitable approaches to managing, conserving and restoring coastal ecosystems and resources.
Our delegation highlighted research that demonstrates the vital role of small-scale fisheries and coastal communities in sustaining ocean health and food security. We explored the evidence base for tools – such as social protection, subsidies, market solutions and measures to secure tenure rights – to strengthen coastal stewardship, while unpacking barriers to their effective and equitable implementation and scaling.
By building knowledge and advancing pathways that centre coastal stewards, this work aims to accelerate progress and expand models that support nature, livelihoods and food and nutrition security in the Western Indian Ocean region and beyond.
What is the WIOMSA Scientific Symposium?
The WIOMSA Scientific Symposium is the largest open scientific conference in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, bringing together researchers, policymakers and practitioners to exchange knowledge and shape action on critical marine and coastal issues. Held every three years, the symposium provides a unique platform for dialogue and collaboration.
The 13th WIOMSA Symposium is an endorsed UN Ocean Decade activity, aligning with global priorities to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.
Key events
Thursday 2 October
Strengthening coastal stewardship: from tools to action
Venue: Room Madunguni
Hosted by: IIED
Organising partners: Mwambao Coastal Community Network, WIOMSA, Sustain East Africa, CORDIO (TBC), WorldFish
Coastal communities – especially small-scale fishers and fish workers – are central to sustaining ocean health, biodiversity, and food and nutrition security. Yet they are too often left to carry the costs of conservation and management, while the benefits flow elsewhere.
This session explored the barriers and solutions to implementing practical tools – such as social protection, subsidies, market solutions and measures to secure tenure rights – that can enable and incentivise fair and effective coastal stewardship.
Case studies from Tanzania, Mozambique and Kenya set the scene. A dynamic world café with regional experts and community leaders followed, giving participants the chance to exchange insights and debate solutions, with an opportunity to network at the end. Together, priorities were identified to scale models that deliver for people, nature and food systems in the Western Indian Ocean – and advance the Ocean Decade Africa Roadmap.
Further reading: Blue social protection handbook: protecting people, fish and food | Incentives for coastal conservation and fisheries management
IIED events newsletter
Sign up to our mailing list for updates and invitations to events throughout the year, including webinars, critical themes and debriefs.
Contact
Annabelle Bladon, senior researcher (aquatic food systems), Shaping Sustainable Markets research group
