GMES and africa: MarCOSIO, together with IHSM Toliara, Madagascar, hosted an immersive training workshop in Antananarivo, Madagascar
The Marine and Coastal Operations for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Consortium (MarCOSIO) under the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and Africa, held its first regional training workshop in Antananarivo, Madagascar from 19 to 22 June 2024. The workshop was hosted by the Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines (IHSM, Fisheries and Marine Sciences Institute)
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The regional training brought together policy and technical experts from the western Indian Ocean (WIO) region to present, train users and validate earth observation tools and services developed under the MarCOSIO consortium. The workshop also explored options for integrating these tools into coastal and ocean conservation and governance processes.
The IHSM is one of 12 partners in the consortium and a key link to ensuring the use and rolling out of MarCOSIO services to WIO island states. The team, comprising representatives from South Africa’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),
WIOMSA, IHSM, the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) and the Benguela Current Convention, conducted the training.
“Our science and technology should make an impact on communities, improve livelihoods and save lives,” said the Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Paubert Tsimanaoraty Mahatante at a meeting held before the training started.
He voiced his concern about the loss of fishers at sea and the delayed detection of algal blooms that lead to certain fish becoming toxic, which has a catastrophic impact on the food chain and leads to the loss of lives.
The Director-General of Agence Portuaire Maritime et Fluviale (Agency of ports, maritime and inland water systems) presented in the maritime safety session. He referred to the use of data in safety at sea, port development and management, transport infrastructure development and the integration of reliable and accurate meteorological data in almost all marine transport operations.
In the coastal and ocean ecosystem monitoring sessions, Mr José Victor presented on the marine spatial framework and the process used in Madagascar. PhD student Aro Falinirina from IHSM discussed the 2019 coral bleaching event and emphasized the importance of data from MarCOSIO in assessing the extent of the bleaching.
Participants were also treated to various talks and demonstrations on the continuous collection of data on sea surface temperature, chlorophyll and ocean colour led by the CSIR.
To provide insights on efforts in north and west Africa, the Marine and Coastal Areas Management in North and West Africa consortium, led by the University of Ghana, also presented. Mr Ignatius Williams discussed shoreline monitoring changes, oil spill detection in north Africa, and the rapid land use and land cover change along the coast. Monitoring these changes is crucial for decision-making and ensuring that the information is communicated to affected communities, helping them to understand the dangers of settling in vulnerable locations and the importance of moving to higher ground.
Another highlight of the training was the fishing zones app developed by TAFIRI which has optimized fishing effort, allowing fishers to plan better. It has also provided authorities with data to inform the ways in which they monitor the resources
By the end of the training, participants and ministries expressed their willingness to further implement the services and incorporate aspects of the tools they had learned about into their daily work. The importance of scientific data and information in decision-making and policy was emphasized during both the opening and closing ceremonies, highlighting that much work remains to be done.
Source: Obakeng Molelu, Aina Le Don Nomenisoa and Jonathan Killow in "The WIOMSA NEWSBRIEF 2024", pages 9-10, https://www.wiomsa.org/publications/wiomsa-newsbrief-june-2024/
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(c) Marcosio 2024 The MaRCOSIO team meeting with the Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries
The regional training brought together policy and technical experts from the western Indian Ocean (WIO) region to present, train users and validate earth observation tools and services developed under the MarCOSIO consortium. The workshop also explored options for integrating these tools into coastal and ocean conservation and governance processes.
The IHSM is one of 12 partners in the consortium and a key link to ensuring the use and rolling out of MarCOSIO services to WIO island states. The team, comprising representatives from South Africa’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),
WIOMSA, IHSM, the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) and the Benguela Current Convention, conducted the training.
“Our science and technology should make an impact on communities, improve livelihoods and save lives,” said the Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Paubert Tsimanaoraty Mahatante at a meeting held before the training started.
He voiced his concern about the loss of fishers at sea and the delayed detection of algal blooms that lead to certain fish becoming toxic, which has a catastrophic impact on the food chain and leads to the loss of lives.
Highlights from the training sessions
The training sessions were divided into marine and maritime safety and coastal and ocean ecosystem monitoring. An outreach activity was planned for two schools in Antananarivo. The training facilitated peer-to-peer learning, allowing participants from the ports sector in Madagascar, Mauritius and Comoros, as well as the Kenya Coast Guard to contribute to the marine and maritime safety training. This was followed by discussion sessions and a day to get to know the vessel tracking system by MarCOSIO, presented by Dr Lizwe Mdakane from the CSIR.The Director-General of Agence Portuaire Maritime et Fluviale (Agency of ports, maritime and inland water systems) presented in the maritime safety session. He referred to the use of data in safety at sea, port development and management, transport infrastructure development and the integration of reliable and accurate meteorological data in almost all marine transport operations.
In the coastal and ocean ecosystem monitoring sessions, Mr José Victor presented on the marine spatial framework and the process used in Madagascar. PhD student Aro Falinirina from IHSM discussed the 2019 coral bleaching event and emphasized the importance of data from MarCOSIO in assessing the extent of the bleaching.
Participants were also treated to various talks and demonstrations on the continuous collection of data on sea surface temperature, chlorophyll and ocean colour led by the CSIR.
To provide insights on efforts in north and west Africa, the Marine and Coastal Areas Management in North and West Africa consortium, led by the University of Ghana, also presented. Mr Ignatius Williams discussed shoreline monitoring changes, oil spill detection in north Africa, and the rapid land use and land cover change along the coast. Monitoring these changes is crucial for decision-making and ensuring that the information is communicated to affected communities, helping them to understand the dangers of settling in vulnerable locations and the importance of moving to higher ground.
Another highlight of the training was the fishing zones app developed by TAFIRI which has optimized fishing effort, allowing fishers to plan better. It has also provided authorities with data to inform the ways in which they monitor the resources
By the end of the training, participants and ministries expressed their willingness to further implement the services and incorporate aspects of the tools they had learned about into their daily work. The importance of scientific data and information in decision-making and policy was emphasized during both the opening and closing ceremonies, highlighting that much work remains to be done.
Outreach school visits
As part of the outreach and career development programme for children and youth, the Capacity Building and Outreach Work Package representatives organized an event at two schools in Antananarivo: the British School of Madagascar and the elementary school EPP Ivandry. The objective was to inform students about potential careers in earth observation and to educate them about sea and water safety.
Source: Obakeng Molelu, Aina Le Don Nomenisoa and Jonathan Killow in "The WIOMSA NEWSBRIEF 2024", pages 9-10, https://www.wiomsa.org/publications/wiomsa-newsbrief-june-2024/
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