Annual Report 2005Annual Report 2005Annual Report 2005Annual Report 2005Annual Report 2005

Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)

Contents

33333 Editorial

44444 MASMA

55555 MARG

66666 SUCCESS

77777 TRANSMAP

88888 Ecotoxicology capacity building

99999 The 4th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium

1111111111 FARI

1212121212 SocMon WIO

1313131313 Publications and new products

1414141414 General Assembly

1515151515 Changes to the WIOMSA Board

1616161616 Strategic Plan

1717171717 Financial Statement

1818181818 Contacts

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editorialeditorialeditorialeditorialeditorial

Since its establishment in 1993, WIOMSA has grown tobecome a hub of marine science, coastal management,capacity building and outreach in the western Indian Oceanregion. As we celebrate WIOMSA’s 12th anniversary, we lookback not only on this year’s accomplishments, but also thelegacy of more than one decade. The 2005 Annual Reportsummarises WIOMSA’s research, capacity building andcommunication and extension activities, and confirms thatWIOMSA is in an excellent position to contribute to thedevelopment of sustainable marine and coastal use optionsfor the western Indian Ocean region.

Many advances were made during 2005, including a start onimplementation of WIOMSA’s Strategic Plan that provides aframework for guiding WIOMSA’s activities over the next 15-20 years. Through a year-long participatory process involvingWIOMSA’s members, partners, Board of Trustees and Coun-try Coordinators, the Strategic Plan was developed and laterapproved by the 3rd General Assembly held in Mauritius onthe 2nd of September. The environment WIOMSA operatesin is constantly changing while the need for funding relevantmarine research remains constant or increases. Therefore,much focus in the new Strategic Plan is put on how WIOMSAcan mobilize resources to support its activities now and inthe future. The resource mobilization efforts have started inearnest with the securing of funding from the Wilson Founda-tion to hire new staff responsible for WIOMSA’s fund raisingactivities.

WIOMSA’s 4th scientific symposium was the major event ofthe year, and attracted 250 experts on marine and coastalrelated issues who met to present and discuss how theirresearch can improve human welfare and alleviate poverty inthe region. Several milestones were achieved during the sym-posium: it gathered more social scientists than ever beforeand several new initiatives were developed, for example theMariculture Network in the WIO region, which was estab-lished to promote the development of a sustainable maricultureindustry in the region.

Linking science to management, which is the core of MASMA,is always challenging, but during 2005, MASMA-fundedresearchers have succeeded in contributing to a moreenvironmentally friendly dolphin tourism in Zanzibar and toinfluence the fishing policies in Seychelles to protect reef

fish during their spawning period. Also WIOMSA’s otherresearch programme, Marine Research Grant (MARG), hasbeen successful in revealing facts useful in the managementof marine and coastal resources in the region. MARG granteeshave, amongst other results, discovered toxic plankton offthe coast of Tanzania, established that there is no need toprune mangroves to enhance the propagation and found thatthe most immediate threats to sea turtles in Kenya arefisheries, pollution and infestation of sea urchins at theirfeeding grounds.

Partnerships and networking, which represent fundamentalthemes across the many activities of WIOMSA, wereexpanded during 2005. One of the joint programmes isSustainable Coastal Communities and Ecosystems(SUCCESS) that took off in 2005. The programme is apartnership between Coastal Resources Center at theUniversity of Rhode Island and USAID in association witheight other partners of which WIOMSA is one. Another one isTransboundary Networks of Marine Protected Areas forIntegrated Conservation and Sustainable Development:Biophysical, Socio-economic and Governance Assessmentin East Africa (TRANSMAP). This EU-funded programmeaims to develop scientific knowledge for the creation oftransboundary networks of marine protected areas in EasternAfrica and involves twelve institutions from Europe and EasternAfrica.

Overall, it has been a productive year for WIOMSA, and wewish to acknowledge the support of everyone who has madethis possible, especially our main contributor, the SwedishInternational Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Withthe new Board of Trustees in place, elected during the 3rdGeneral Assembly, WIOMSA is anticipating an even morefruitful year 2006. In 2006, WIOMSA is looking forward tostrengthening the implementation of its major activities,putting more efforts in resource mobilization and partnershipbuilding and getting members more involved in the actions ofthe Association.

I hope you enjoy reading this report, which provides an over-view of the highlights of 2005.

Dr Nyawira MuthigaPresident

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scientific researchscientific researchscientific researchscientific researchscientific research

Marine Science for Management (MASMA) is a researchprogramme that seeks to strengthen the knowledge base ofthe coastal and marine environment of the Western IndianOcean region, raise awareness of important coastal man-agement issues and to disseminate information for sustain-able use of coastal and marine resources. WIOMSA hasworked hard to link science to management, and the projects"Sustainable Dolphin Tourism in East Africa (Zanzibar, Tan-zania and Mozambique)" and "Determination of the Distribu-tion and Characteristics of Fish Spawning Aggregation Sites(FSAS) and their Importance to the Artisanal Fisheries Re-sources of Seychelles" are examples of these efforts.

Sustainable dolphin tourismBetween 1999 and 2003 the distribution of dolphins in theMenai Bay off the south coast of Zanzibar was investigated.Through DNA-analyses the researchers concluded that thegenetic exchange between dolphins from the south and northcoast of Zanzibar was almost none. Also, the dolphins tendedto stay in a pretty small area most of the time - the verysame area with high dolphin densities where most of thedolphin tourist activities took place. That made the dolphinsvery susceptible to disturbances such as unregulatedtourism, which is not uncommon in Zanzibar.

When the researchers investigated the behaviour patternsof the dolphins in relation to the tourists, they observed abehavioural change amongst the dolphins when there weremore than two tourist boats nearby and swimmers in thewater. They also noticed that the behaviour of female dolphinswas affected - they travelled more as tourism activitiesincreased, which may imply that females will have less timeto nurse their calves. Also in Mozambique, dolphins behaveddifferently in one area without tourism activities (Inhaca Island)compared to another area with tourism activities (Ponta DoOuro). Dolphins subjected to tourists spent less time foraging(10 % of the observation time) and more time travelling (50%) compared to the dolphins in the area without tourism wherethey spent 50 % foraging and 20 % travelling.

In addition to disturbance from tourism, another threat tothe dolphins is that the fishermen accidentally catch dolphinsin their nets. During 2003, the estimated bycatch was 13bottlenose dolphins and four humpback dolphins (8.0 and5.6% of the total population) - an unsustainable level. To miti-gate the bycatch, the researchers have been granted fundingfrom WWF-US Cetacean Bycatch Centre for introducingacoustic pingers in Zanzibar driftnet fisheries.

To link science to management is always achallenge, but through MASMA, progress is beingmade. Researchers have laid a foundation for amore environmentally friendly dolphin tourism inZanzibar, and in Seychelles, sustainability of reeffish stocks is being assured through protection ofspawning aggregations.

MASMA - MASMA - MASMA - MASMA - MASMA - Marine Science for ManagementMarine Science for ManagementMarine Science for ManagementMarine Science for ManagementMarine Science for ManagementFor any management to succeed, the involvement of key

stakeholders is necessary. The researchers have facilitatedthe formation of the Kizimkazi Dolphin Tourism Operators'Association (KIDOTOA). KIDOTOA was registered on the 4thof March 2005 and is a non-governmental organization dedi-cated to a long-term sustainable development of the dolphintourism in Menai Bay, Zanzibar. The association will focuson dolphin research, education and environmental conserva-tion.

The researchers have also trained dolphin guides and pro-duced leaflets about environmentally friendly dolphin watch-ing. The leaflet is available in both Swahili and English.

Even though this MASMA project will be completed soon,the researchers have collected additional genetic samples inZanzibar and have also been offered samples from two otherareas in the Western Indian Ocean region: Oman and Mayotte.The project has been a joint effort between V. G. Cockcroft(South Africa); P. Berggren (Sweden); N. Jiddawi (Tanzania); A.Guissamulo (Mozambique) and O. A. Amir (Tanzania).

Reef fish spawningMost reef fish reproduce by releasing eggs and sperm intothe water, where external fertilization occurs. This is knownas spawning. During certain periods of the year, many reeffishes, such as groupers, aggregate in large numbers atspecific locations to spawn. These annual events are oftentimed to a particular phase of the moon, and are known asspawning aggregations. A day or so after spawning, the fishmigrate back to their home range and will not aggregate againuntil the next year. The practise of fishing on spawning aggregations has causedmany reef fish spawning aggregations around the world todisappear, and in Seychelles, several aggregations are knownto be threatened by fishing. Therefore, a team of researchersdecided to investigate reef fish spawning aggregations in Sey-chelles. During a 3-year project (2003-2005), considerabledata on the reproductive biology of vulnerable reef fish(groupers) was yielded. When and where they spawned, aswell as their spawning behaviour were recorded.

The results of the project confirmed that these particularspecies are very vulnerable to over-fishing during their spawn-ing period and also led to a proposal for a legislation provid-ing for establishments of Fisheries Reserves ManagementAreas (FRMAs). The FRMAs will protect spawningaggregations in the outer islands of Seychelles.

Protecting spawning aggregations from over-fishing throughseasonal or total closures, will help insure against stockcollapse and can increase catches in the long-term.

The project was carried out by J. Robinson (Seychelles),M. Marguerite (Seychelles), R. Payet (Seychelles), M. Isidore(Seychelles) and M. Ohman (Sweden).

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MARG - MARG - MARG - MARG - MARG - Marine Research GrantMarine Research GrantMarine Research GrantMarine Research GrantMarine Research Grant

The Marine Research Grant (MARG) Programme seeks toenhance capacity to conduct research and increase ourunderstanding of various aspects of marine sciences. It offersopportunities for scientists and managers from the region tocarry out research in their own countries or other countries,and to attend scientific meetings and conferences.

Toxic plankton in TanzaniaDuring the year, WIOMSA has received many applicationsfor new projects and also many interesting reports fromimplemented projects have been produced. One of them,"Diversity and Spatial-Temporal variations of Potentially ToxicDinoflagellates (Dinophyceae) in Central Coastal Areas ofTanzania", reports on the occurrence of potentially harmfuldinoflagellates (microscopic plankton) in the central coastalwaters of Tanzania. The study was carried out by C. Lugomela(Tanzania) in 2003 and 2004 and the findings reveal that sometoxic dinoflagellates exist in concentrations that could causeseafood poisoning and fish kill outbreaks.

Predation of mangrove propagulesMangrove forests are common in estauries along the eastAfrican coast and are an important natural resource in manyaspects. The structure and the function of mangrove forestsare highly dependent upon seedling recruitment. Predationof propagules (plant material used for plant propagation andthe preliminary stage of a seedling) has been found to playan important role in the seedling distribution in mangrove

Poisonous micro-organisms in Tanzania, crabsaffecting seedling distribution in mangrove andturtles threatened by sea urchins in Kenya - allfindings from research funded by the MarineResearch Grant (MARG).

stands. Results from a MARG study by J. Bosire, "SpatialRegeneration Dynamics in Reforested Mangrove Plantations:Implication for Management" in Gazi Bay in Kenya 2002 -2004, showed that propagules in pruned stands were eatenmore (by crabs) than in unpruned areas. Propagules lying onthe substrate were more preyed on than the ones that werevertically embedded, suggesting that predation is mostintense during the stranding phase. This may play a criticalrole in limiting seedling establishment and subsequentrecruitment. Rhizophora mucronata was the least eatenmangrove species.

Fisheries threat to sea turtlesOn the south coast of Kenya (Msambweni, Funzi and Bodo)sea turtles get caught and eaten by humans and othermammals. Two species of sea turtles, green turtles andhawksbills, were studied during 2003 - 2005 by S. Nzuki andJ. Muasa in the project "Participatory Habitat Characterizationand GIS Database Development for the Conservation andManagement of Sea Turtles in South Coast Kenya". The studyprovided data and information on the character and status ofnesting and foraging grounds on the south coast of Kenya,and built local capacity to enhance the conservation andmanagement of sea turtles and their habitats.Together withthe local communities, the researchers identified fisheries,pollution and infestation of sea urchins in the sea grass bedswhere the turtles find their food, as the most immediate threatsto the sea turtle habitats. The results also indicate a need fora design of appropriate conservation measures to addressboth human poaching of female turtles and eggs and naturalpredation of clutches.

During 2005, WIOMSA received 57 Marine Research Grant(MARG) applications out of which 27 were awarded variouscategories of MARG valued at US $ 79,723. The grants wereawarded to scientists from all the nations of the region exceptSomalia, which did no apply for any. MARG I is awarded forresearch for one year, MARG II for research attachment atanother institution and MARG III for travel grants.

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MARG I MARG II MARG III

No of applications 26 11 20

No awarded 11 8 8

Amount US $ 46 491 23 094 10 138

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SUCCESS stands for Sustainable Coastal Communities andEcosystems and is a partnership between Coastal ResourcesCenter at the University of Rhode Island and USAID inassociation with eight other actors within coastal and marinemanagement of which WIOMSA is one. SUCCESS’soverarching goal is to help people improve both their qualityof life (health, income, education) and their physicalenvironment through good governance, and the hallmark ofthis program is active engagement with coastal people at thegrass roots level. The ambition is to create in each regionwhere SUCCESS operates, a permanent capacity-buildingresource that responds to the needs of its coastal ecosystemsand the human populations they contain.

In Tanzania, WIOMSA is responsible for the part of the ini-tiative that aims to develop an equitable livelihood develop-ment through mariculture. The program started in late 2004and the activities took off during 2005 when four mariculturesites in Tanzania were selected as pilot sites for SUCCESS.

Women farming bivalvesIn Fumba on Zanzibar Island, groups of women are collectingand growing bivalves in small impoundments. While most ofthis production is used for local consumption, some is sold.At this site, SUCCESS is assisting the groups with improvingthe production systems and marketing. A market survey isbeing conducted to determine the viability of selling bivalvesto hotels, and a small food kiosk has been set up on the

beach where tourists arrive daily for excursions on the nearbyislands. SUCCESS is assisting the women’s groups onbusiness aspects of running the kiosk and sanitaryrequirements for shellfish business both in farming andprocessing to avoid contamination.

Floating farm boosting yieldIn Bagamoyo, a group of seaweed farmers are trying toestablish their own farms and market independently toseaweed buyers, thereby breaking the dependence on buyersto provide the farmers with capital inputs. Here, SUCCESSis working with the group on a pilot floating farm, which isexpected to protect the seaweed from diseases caused byfarms being located in shallow waters. The preliminary resultsindicated 14 % increase in weight compared to the commonoff-bottom method. It has also been noted that the floatingfarms attracts fish, which has prompted fishermen to fisharound the farm. Therefore, the seaweed farmers have beenprovided with a boat and ten fishtraps, so they themselvescan harvest the fish.

Also in the adjacent Pande village, a group of seaweed farm-ers have been provided with money to construct a boat. Thesefarmers failed to continue seaweed farming due to the influxof fresh water, but will be able to develop seaweed farms indeeper water when the boat is constructed.

FishfarmingIn Mkuranga, SUCCESS is working with farmers on ademonstration tilapia farm and a pilot milkfish pond. A total of236 and 91 kg of milkfish were harvested from two differentponds in July 2005. The 236 kg came from a pond were thefish were fed local feed, and the 91 kg came from a controlpond where the fish were not fed at all. The milkfish farm iscurrently being rebuilt and at the tilapia site SUCCESS isassisting the farmers with installing a wind driven water-pumping system to reduce production costs.

Training for trainersDuring the year, two regional training courses on maricultureextension for the local teams providing extension services todifferent mariculture projects were also held.

SUCCESS - SUCCESS - SUCCESS - SUCCESS - SUCCESS - Sustainable CoastalSustainable CoastalSustainable CoastalSustainable CoastalSustainable CoastalCommunities and EcosystemsCommunities and EcosystemsCommunities and EcosystemsCommunities and EcosystemsCommunities and EcosystemsFloating seaweed farms increase the harvest and attract fish, so by using boats and fish traps providedby the Project SUCCESS, the seaweed farmers can harvest both seaweed and fish.

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The goal of this three-year project is to develop scientificknowledge for the creation of transboundary networks ofMarine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the East African region. Inparticular relating to type, size and location of reserves, whichtogether can maintain ecological functions, resource-usesand future socio-economic developments. The final productwill be options for a zonation plan that regulates activitiesand resource use in two distinct ecoregions, one subtropicaland the other tropical, which together encompass a significantproportion of the biogeographical range of the East Africancoastal and marine environment. The transboundary casestudy areas constitute important biogeographical units withunique character: 1) in the boundary between South Africaand Mozambique which comprises the Greater St LuciaWetland Park World Heritage Site and 2) in the boundarybetween Mozambique and Tanzania.

Twelve research institutions involvedTwelve institutions from three European countries (Portugal,Sweden and United Kingdom) and three Eastern Africancountries (Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa) areinvolved in the implementation of different components of theproject. The institutions from the Eastern Africa region are:Oceanographic Research Institute and University of CapeTown (South Africa); University of Eduardo Mondlane andCentre for Sustainable Development for Coastal Zones(Mozambique); Institute of Marine Science (Tanzania) andWIOMSA.

From Europe, the institutions participating in the projectare: Instituto do Mar and Instituto de Ciência Aplicada eTecnologia (Portugal); World Maritime University andUniversity of Kalmar (Sweden); and Overseas DevelopmentGroup and The Natural History Museum (UK).

WIOMSA's tasksWIOMSA is involved in the baseline definition (to investigateexisting knowledge and to map habitats and uses) and thegovernance assessment (legal, institutional and policyframeworks, operational assessment and state ofmanagement). WIOMSA is conducting the research requiredand acting as an interface for the leading European partnersin the field in Tanzania. In particular, WIOMSA will create thelinks with decision-making bodies and local stakeholders at

TRANSMAPTRANSMAPTRANSMAPTRANSMAPTRANSMAP- Transboundary Networks of Marine Protected- Transboundary Networks of Marine Protected- Transboundary Networks of Marine Protected- Transboundary Networks of Marine Protected- Transboundary Networks of Marine ProtectedAreas for Integrated Conservation and SustainableAreas for Integrated Conservation and SustainableAreas for Integrated Conservation and SustainableAreas for Integrated Conservation and SustainableAreas for Integrated Conservation and SustainableDevelopment: Biophysical, Socio-economic andDevelopment: Biophysical, Socio-economic andDevelopment: Biophysical, Socio-economic andDevelopment: Biophysical, Socio-economic andDevelopment: Biophysical, Socio-economic andGovernance Assessment in East AfricaGovernance Assessment in East AfricaGovernance Assessment in East AfricaGovernance Assessment in East AfricaGovernance Assessment in East Africa

different levels. WIOMSA also participates to find options forMPA zoning and in the dissemination of activities and linkagesto end-users and decision-makers.

Progress towards objectivesDuring 2005, information on various aspects such as coastalbiological resources, physical and chemical phenomena andcharacteristics, living resources, socio-economiccharacteristics as well as existing formal and informal legaland institutional frameworks were collected, compiled andsynthesized by different participating institutions. In TanzaniaWIOMSA, in cooperation with the Institute of MarineSciences; has achieved the following results:

• A listing of maps and other spatial information availablefor the Mnazi Bay and the area around it;

• A synthesis of existing documents along the coastalarea of Mtwara;

• A list of national and regional policy and legislativeinstruments relevant to marine protected areas inTanzania;

• A list of existing and proposed plans/programmes withrespect to MPAs.

Database in progressDuring 2005, a database with all available information ofrelevance to the project has been established. The databaseprovides a number of functionalities including data entry,records validation as well as searching of the records.Currently, work is underway to add more functionalities suchas help menus and the writing of the instructional manual.

Cooperation across the borders to establish eco-regional systems of Marine Protected Areas

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capacity buildingcapacity buildingcapacity buildingcapacity buildingcapacity building

This was the first initiative of its kind in this field of study to beheld in the WIO region. Both the planning workshop and thesubsequent training course on ecotoxicology were funded bythe MASMA Programme.

During the planning workshop, it was stressed that the locallybased researchers are the experts in this region. They have theknowledge about the area, the contacts, cultural insight and theyalso know what problems should be addressed. Hence, they werecalled upon to take up the leading role and to chart out the futureof ecotoxicological research in the WIO region. Participating ex-perts encouraged the regional researchers to continue collabo-rating with colleagues from Sweden who have both the long termexperience in ecotoxicological studies worldwide as well as theknowledge of advanced analytical techniques.

Since knowledge of pollutants associated with land-basedand marine activities in the WIO region is scarce, the bestway forward would be to train selected scientists and techni-cians from WIO countries in ecotoxicological methods. Withinless than a year from the planning workshop, the first regionaltraining in ecotoxicological risk assessment in coastal marineecosystems took place due to the initiative of M. Kishimba(Tanzania) and A. Mmochi (Tanzania) with assistance from K.Gustafsson (Sweden) and M. Tedengren (Sweden).

Theory and practice combinedFrom November 21 to December 2, some 29 scientists fromeight countries (Tanzania, Sweden, Kenya, Mozambique,Uganda, Madagascar, Zimbabwe and Norway) converged in Zan-zibar, Tanzania to familiarize themselves with currentecotoxicological trends in theory and methodology. The firsthalf of the workshop was held at Institute of Marine Sciences(IMS) in Zanzibar. The participants discussed important theo-retical and conceptual aspects of ecotoxicology and ecologi-cal risk assessment and carried out a set of practical exer-cises relevant to the region.

In one toxicity test exercise, an aquatic macrophyte (algaelarge enough to be seen with the naked eye) of tropical originwas exposed to a concentration gradient of a representativeherbicide commonly used in a wide range of crops in the WIOregion.

Another exercise involved investigating the toxicity of riversediment collected at the highly contaminated Vikuge statefarm (a former pesticide storage site) in Tanzania.

People and pollution People and pollution People and pollution People and pollution People and pollution -----Ecotoxicology in the Western Indian OceanEcotoxicology in the Western Indian OceanEcotoxicology in the Western Indian OceanEcotoxicology in the Western Indian OceanEcotoxicology in the Western Indian OceanDDT in mothers' milk and people poisoned by contaminated fish - there is certainly a need forecotoxicological research in the Western Indian Ocean region. Therefore, WIOMSA supported a planningworkshop in Zanzibar in February 2005, where ecotoxicologists met and discussed future research. Theworkshop was followed up by a two week course in November/December 2005 on aquatic ecotoxicologyand risk assessment of agrochemical pollution in WIO coastal marine ecosystems.

Paractical exercises in the rice fieldAfter the first seven days at IMS, the participants went outin the field - to Chwaka Bay on the east coast of Zanzibar toimplement a risk assessment exercise on a real case studyat the Bay and the Cheju rice field.The participants con-ducted interviews with officers and farmers and also assessedthe potential impact of agrochemicals on ecological and so-cioeconomic species in the coastal ecosystem. The resultswere then used to estimate large-scale social and economicimplications of a pollution scenario with pesticides used onthe rice fields reaching the Chwaka Bay ecosystem.

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communication, extension and networkingcommunication, extension and networkingcommunication, extension and networkingcommunication, extension and networkingcommunication, extension and networking

The theme of the symposium was “Contribution of Researchin Improving Human Welfare and Poverty Alleviation”. Theconference was organized by WIOMSA in collaboration withthe Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) and the PrimeMinister’s Office in Mauritius. It had sessions on socialdynamics in coastal and marine environments; mariculture;utilization of marine resources; physical and geologicalprocesses; management systems; endangered species; coralreefs; and pollution and ecosystem processes.

Environment and economy go hand in handThe Minister of Environment and National Development Unitin Mauritius, Honourable Anil Bachoo, inaugurated the six-

Putting people first – how marinePutting people first – how marinePutting people first – how marinePutting people first – how marinePutting people first – how marineresearch can reduce povertyresearch can reduce povertyresearch can reduce povertyresearch can reduce povertyresearch can reduce povertyFrom August 29th to September 1st , 250 expertson marine and coastal related issues met duringthe Fourth biennial Western Indian Ocean MarineScience Association (WIOMSA) ScientificSymposium to present and discuss how theirresearch can improve human welfare and alleviatepoverty in the Western Indian Ocean region. Theevent was held in Grand Baie, Mauritius.

Current challengesMarine specialists from the Western Indian Ocean region,Europe, Asia, North America and West Africa gathered toexchange thoughts and research results linked to thechallenges the countries in the Western Indian Ocean regionare facing regarding the management of their marine andcoastal resources. One of the major challenges is how tobalance the need for economic growth against the necessityfor conserving the coastal and marine resources. Theliberalization of trade shows what difficult choices thecountries in the region are facing, as observed by some ofthe key speakers.

“On one end, a high price and high demand situation hasthe potential to make fishery a major engine for economicgrowth and a significant contributor to poverty reduction strat-egies for the region”, Dr. Mahfuzuddin Ahmed, Director at theWorldFish Center and one of the keynote speakers, ex-plained.

But there is also a negative side to the freeing of the mar-ket, he added:

“It will expose the fisheries to a higher degree of exploita-tion making many fish stocks vulnerable to depletion as thephenomena of increased effort and selective harvesting arelikely to grow in the absence of effective management.”

day long symposium that began with the Mauratius NationalOcean Science Forum (NOSF). In his speech, he emphasizedthe importance of integrating environmental concerns witheconomic development:“Our environmental policy formulation will be centered roundour core philosophy of ‘Putting People First’, which under-pins the new Government Programme”, the HonourableBachoo said and continued explaining the approach of theMauritian Government:“Likewise, our environmental strategies will be focused onmaking environmental protection an essential component ofour economic development.”

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Placing the people in focusEffective management of natural resources is one of the majorkeystones in the fight against coastal poverty. For anymanagement strategy to succeed, it is important to involvethe people. Dr. Nyawira Muthiga, the President of WIOMSA,explained that the theme chosen for the Symposium wasvery appropriate in recognition of the fact that much of thecoastal people in the region still live in very poor conditions.One of the most important tasks for experts in the region isto focus on research that can contribute to poverty alleviation.

Dr. Muthiga also brought up a few main areas where shesaw an urgent need for research: The effects of last year’sTsunami; the effects of the coral bleaching event in 1997 and1998; gathering of scientific information to enable the increasein number and coverage of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)as per commitment made by the countries in the region tothe Convention of Biodiversity; research on fisheries andalternative livelihoods; and the development of a mechanismto improve the linkage between science and management.She was hopeful about the future in terms of research andcooperation, and said:

“It is my belief that by working together, we shall succeed indefining the research agenda that contributes to the sustain-able management of our coastal and marine resources for thebenefit now, and for our children and the generations to come.”

Reaching new milestonesSustainable management demands the knowledge andunderstanding, not only of biophysical phenomena, but alsoof social science. This Symposium gathered more social

scientists than ever before, a fact that the ExecutiveSecretary of WIOMSA Dr Julius Francis highlighted in hiswelcoming speech:

“The number of presentations on social-economic issuesand governance studies has increased substantially in thisyear’s symposium with two sessions covering these aspects.”

In total, the Symposium brought together more than 250participants from well over 20 countries, which was espe-cially gratifying as it was the first time in the history ofWIOMSA that the Symposium was held in one of the mem-ber Island States. Furthermore, this Symposium attractedmore participants from Mauritius, Reunion and South Africacompared to previous ones.

Cost sharingIt was also the first time that the participants were chargedregistration fees. Dr Francis explained what this had achieved:

“Without the registration fee, we would not have been ableto support as many participants as we have done this time.”

In addition, the cost sharing turned out to be successful inthe way that most participants were able to secure supple-mentary funding to the partial support that WIOMSA provided.

New initiativesApart from the presentations of papers and posters, thesymposium offered the opportunity for side events – anadditional vehicle for exchange of ideas and establishment ofnew cooperative schemes and networks. The InformalWestern Indian Ocean International Waters Forum, held onAugust 31st, was one of the side events. WIOMSA, the NairobiConvention and UNEP-GEF WIO-LaB Project hosted theForum. The participants were informed about on-going (UNEP-GEF WIO-LaB Project) and planned (UNDP-GEF Agulhasand Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystem, ASLCME andWB-GEF South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project,SWIOFP) GEF-funded projects.

Many other groups also made use of the venue to meet anddiscuss future activities. The Forum of Heads of Academicand Research Institutions (FARI) was formally launched. TheMariculture Network in the WIO region and the WIO MarineEnvironmental Education and Science CommunicationNetwork were initiated.

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FARI: improved scientific coordinationFARI: improved scientific coordinationFARI: improved scientific coordinationFARI: improved scientific coordinationFARI: improved scientific coordinationthrough new networkthrough new networkthrough new networkthrough new networkthrough new network

The decision to establish FARI was taken during the FourthMeeting of the contracting parties to the Nairobi Conventionin Madagascar in July 2004. The decision directed the Sec-retariat of the Nairobi Convention to facilitate FARI’s estab-lishment in collaboration with WIOMSA. It is envisaged thatFARI will provide a framework for:

• Facilitating sharing of information between institutionsand the Nairobi Convention, other regional processesand amongst themselves;

• Providing scientific and technical advice on prioritiesfor management, assessment/research andinformation dissemination to the regional initiatives;and

• Serving as pressure group for enforcing sustainableutilization of coastal and marine resources.

Solution to current limitationsThe forum was established in the recognition of the followinglimitations:• Absence of mechanisms for linking research and

academic institutions with decision making processesat regional level;

• Inadequate visibility of research institutions. Theirstrengths, facilities they offer and staff profile are notknown outside their countries;

• Inadequate sharing and exchange of informationamongst institutions; and

• Inadequate involvement of regional institutions inregional initiatives.

It is expected that the forum will develop some concreteactivities to address these limitations. The first activity wasorganized by IOC of UNESCO in collaboration with WIOMSAand UNEP in October/November 2005 in Maputo,Mozambique. The activity was a leadership course for headsof institutions from most of the research and academicinstitutions dealing with coastal and marine issues.

Dr Mitrasen Bhikajee first ChairThe Chair of FARI will come from the country hosting theWIOMSA Scientific Symposium and the Vice-Chair from thecountry that is elected to host the next Symposium. Accordingly,Dr Mitrasen Bhikajee was appointed Chair of FARI.

The main goals of the Forum of Heads of Academic and Research Institutions (FARI), which was formallylaunched in Mauritius on August 29, 2005 are to i) create a mechanism for linking research and academicinstitutions with decision- makers in WIO, ii) share and exchange information among the institutions andiii) improve the involvement of the institutions in the regional activities.

Both IOC and UNEP are committed to support the activitiesof the forum as long as the heads of academic and researchinstitutions in the region are committed to participating fullyin the planned activities.

All the information gathered within the forum will be pub-lished on WIOMSA’s website: www.wiomsa.org

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Understanding socio-economic changes in coastal communities is essential for effective and sustainablemanagement of marine resources. Therefore, the Socio-Economic Monitoring in the Western IndianOcean (SocMon WIO) programme encourages the incorporation of socio-economic information into coralreef management programs in East Africa. WIOMSA forms a part of SocMon WIO, which was started upin June 2005.

Understanding socio-economicUnderstanding socio-economicUnderstanding socio-economicUnderstanding socio-economicUnderstanding socio-economicchanges in coastal communitieschanges in coastal communitieschanges in coastal communitieschanges in coastal communitieschanges in coastal communities

Coral reefs are important economic resources to many peopleof the coastal zones of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO),providing nutrition and income to many poor households. Tomanage this resource, it is increasingly recognised that socialscience is an essential element, complementing bio-physicalinformation by providing an insight into what drives theinteraction between humans and resources. Many countriesand sites in the WIO region have completed baselinemonitoring or single assessments to gain socio-economicinformation but there are few cases of long-termcomprehensive monitoring programmes. That will change withthe introduction of SocMon WIO.

SocMon based on partnershipCoral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO) coor-dinates the SocMon WIO initiative. The programme monitorssocio-economic changes over time using a standardized setof indicators relevant to the region, such as coastal and ma-rine activities, attitudes and perceptions, demographics, in-frastructure and material style of life.

SocMon WIO began with a regional partnership workshopto assess progress in the socioeconomic activities andmethods used in the Western Indian Ocean to date, to sharelessons learned, to develop standardised protocol/guidelinesfor the region in the form of a ‘SocMon Western Indian OceanManual’, and to discuss and plan the next steps for theprogress of socio-economic monitoring in the region, andcollaboration amongst participants and other organizations.The workshop attracted 29 participants from seven countriesin the Western Indian Ocean. From there, the goals of SocMonWIO were set-up to do the following:

1. Establish socio-economic monitoring at a representa-tive suite of sites in the region, managed by different part-ners under a single framework.

2. Facilitate coordination of monitoring activities in theWestern Indian Ocean through a socioeconomists'network, promoting standardised monitoring throughoutthe region.

3. Establish a coordinated data archiving reporting andsharing protocol for partners within the region andapplicable to sites outside.

4. Establish reporting and educational guidelines fordisseminating the information widely, targeting managers,government policy makers, resource users and schools.

Ten sites selectedThe monitoring will initially be carried out at ten sites in EastAfrica (see Fact Box) by regional organisations and siteprojects already involved in coastal and marine management.Plans are underway to increase the number of sites byintroducing two new ones by the end of 2006.

WIOMSA is supporting SocMon WIO through representa-tion in the Advisory Group (transformed from the Site Selec-tion Group) and through putting its communication tools, suchas the website, the newsbrief and the scientific journal, atSocMon WIO's disposal.

SocMon WIO is part of the Global SocMon initiative of theGlobal Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN).

Fact Box

SocMon WIO sites in East Africa

Tana River Delta, KenyaLead institutions: Kenya Wildlife Service/ Kenya Marine Forum

Diani-Chale, KenyaLead institution: CORDIO

Msambweni, KenyaLead institution: Fisheries Department

Shimoni-Tanga, Kenya and TanzaniaLead institutions: Kenya Marine Forum/Tanga Coastal ZoneConservation and Development Project (TCZCDP)

Tanga, TanzaniaLead institution: TCZCDP

Rufiji-Mafia-Kilwa Seascape, TanzaniaLead institution: WWF-Tanzania

Mnazi Bay - Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park, TanzaniaLead institution: Tanzania Marine Parks Unit

Quirimbas Marine National Park, MozambiqueLead institution: WWF-Mozambique

Andavodoaka, MadagascarLead institutions: Wildlife Conservation Society/Blue Ventures

Rodrigues, MauritiusLead institution: Shoals Rodrigues

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Publications and new productsPublications and new productsPublications and new productsPublications and new productsPublications and new products

Special Issue of peer-reviewed journalIn May 2005, a special issueof Estuarine Coastal andShelf Science (volume 63,issue 3) was published, inorder to promote the visibilityto the global scientificcommunity of the broadrange of research beingconducted in the region.

This issue contained theleading natural science pa-pers presented at WIOM-SA's Third Scientific Sympo-sium held from 15 to 18October in Maputo, Mozam-bique. Reflecting theimportance of natural resourceuse and management in thecountries of the region, manyof the papers have manage-ment focus or address spe-cific natural science issues ofimportance to management.

WIOJMSThe Western Indian OceanJournal of Marine Sciencewas founded in 2002 and isa peer-reviewed journal pub-lished twice a year in bothprinted and on-line formats.The journal publishes originalresearch articles dealing withall aspects of marine sci-ences and coastal manage-ment. During 2005 the firstissue of the fourth volumewas published.

Book SeriesIn September 2004, a par-ticipatory workshop washeld in Chwaka Bay, Zanzi-bar, Tanzania on sea-grassrelated research andcommunity participation.The workshop was called"Fishermen, fisheries andseagrasses" and theproceedings were publishedduring 2005 as number 3 inthe WIOMSA book series.

Promotion MaterialDuring 2005, WIOMSAupdated its profi lematerials in form of acalendar for 2006, abrochure about WIOMSA,another one aboutMASMA and a folder.

During the year, WIOMSA updated its profile materials and produced two new brochures, a folder and acalendar. Other publications included a special issue of Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, the 1stissue of the 4th volume of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science and no 3 of WIOMSAbook series, based on a workshop about seagrass related research and community participation.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2005GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2005GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2005GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2005GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2005WIOMSA members made their voices heardWIOMSA members made their voices heardWIOMSA members made their voices heardWIOMSA members made their voices heardWIOMSA members made their voices heard

The 3rd General Assembly of the Western IndianOcean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)was held in Mauritius on the 2nd of September2005. 115 WIOMSA members and other invitedguests were present.

The General Assembly (GA) of WIOMSA is the supreme organof the association designed to guide its operations,particularly in determining the short and long-term futuredirection. The assembly takes place every third year andgives the members the opportunity to make their voices heard,as well as the Secretariat and Board of Trustees to report tothe membership on the achievements made and challengesencountered during the inter-sessional period. It is also theoccasion when the board of WIOMSA is elected.

Major achievementsDuring the Assembly, Dr. Francis, the Executive Secretaryof WIOMSA, presented the Inter-sessional Secretariat Report,which covered activities undertaken by the Secretariat duringthe period 2001-2005. Some of the major achievements duringthis period were the establishment of the Western IndianOcean Journal of Marine Science, the development andcompletion of the WIOMSA Strategic Plan and the initiationof a regional competitive research grant programme -MarineScience for Management (MASMA).

Amended constitutionDr. Francis also presented WIOMSA’s Constitution with someproposed amendments to the General Assembly. Theamendments were discussed and approved after somemodifications. Most of the proposed amendments originatedfrom the Strategic Plan that redefined the aim and purpose ofthe Association as well as its objectives. Other alterationsincluded the introduction of the Vice President post, adefinition of the Board members’ tenure and the establishmentof the post of a Patron of WIOMSA and his/her functions.

Reports from Country CoordinatorsFor the first time, the Country Coordinators were invited toreport back to the Assembly what they achieved in their re-spective countries during the inter-sessional period. Six Coun-try Coordinators reported from Tanzania, Seychelles, Reunion,Kenya, Mauritius and Mozambique. In most countries, thenumber of members had increased considerably and variousWIOMSA activities had been promoted. The Country Coordi-nator for Reunion, Dr. Matthieu le Corre, informed the audi-ence that he arranges weekly scientific meetings to discussdifferent aspects of marine science, something that otherCountry Coordinators picked up as a good idea to implementin their own countries.

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During the 4th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium in Mauritius,the outgoing and previous WIOMSA Board Members werefor the first time given awards for their dedicated service tothe Association. Dr Cales Bengt, the representative of theSwedish International Development Cooperation Agency(Sida) was the Guest of Honour during this occasion. Hepresented the previous Board Members with certificates ofrecognition.

This event was just a start. WIOMSA is also planning in thenear future to start awarding prominent scientists andpracitioners for their oustanding achievements. WIOMSArecognizes the importance of acknowledging and rewardingindividuals who make significant contribution in the developmentof marine science in the region. Hopefully, in doing so, theywill be even more motivated to contribute further.

Previous and outgoing board members awardedPrevious and outgoing board members awardedPrevious and outgoing board members awardedPrevious and outgoing board members awardedPrevious and outgoing board members awarded“Without dedicated Board Members, WIOMSA would never have reached this far”, Julius Francis, theExecutive Secretary of WIOMSA said during the award ceremony in Mauritius in August 2005.

CategoryCategoryCategoryCategoryCategory N a m eN a m eN a m eN a m eN a m e

Host Country Magnus Ngoile (Tanzania)Magnus Ngoile (Tanzania)Magnus Ngoile (Tanzania)Magnus Ngoile (Tanzania)Magnus Ngoile (Tanzania)

Mainland Countries Salomao Bandeira (Mozambique)Salomao Bandeira (Mozambique)Salomao Bandeira (Mozambique)Salomao Bandeira (Mozambique)Salomao Bandeira (Mozambique)Nyawira Muthiga (Kenya)Nyawira Muthiga (Kenya)Nyawira Muthiga (Kenya)Nyawira Muthiga (Kenya)Nyawira Muthiga (Kenya)

Island States Mitrasen Bhikajee (Maurit ius)Mitrasen Bhikajee (Maurit ius)Mitrasen Bhikajee (Maurit ius)Mitrasen Bhikajee (Maurit ius)Mitrasen Bhikajee (Maurit ius)Nirmal Shah (Seychelles)Nirmal Shah (Seychelles)Nirmal Shah (Seychelles)Nirmal Shah (Seychelles)Nirmal Shah (Seychelles)

Outside the Region Ron Johnstone (Australia)Ron Johnstone (Australia)Ron Johnstone (Australia)Ron Johnstone (Australia)Ron Johnstone (Australia)

As is customary for WIOMSA, the culmination ofthe process of electing the new Board Membersusually takes place during the General Assembly.

A representative panel of WIOMSA members was speciallyappointed by the GA to count all the votes received and todetermine who the successful candidates were. From a to-tal of 339 votes cast, 291 were valid. The names of the electedmembers were then presented to the Executive Secretaryof WIOMSA, who announced them to the members at theGA. The table below shows the names of the newly electedBoard Members of WIOMSA.

New Board elected 2005New Board elected 2005New Board elected 2005New Board elected 2005New Board elected 2005

Dr. Magnus Ngoile was the Director General of the TanzaniaNational Environment Management between 1995 and 2005and is now the Leader of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)Governance Facilitation Team of the Marine and CoastalEnvironment Management Project (MACEMP). He is a foundingmember of WIOMSA and this is the third time he is elected tobe on the Board.

Dr. Salomao Bandeira is an Assistant professor in botanyat Universidade Eduardo Mondlane and has published morethan 20 papers on research on sea grass, macroalgae andmangroves. He is also the coordinator and main researcher ofvarious MASMA projects in Mozambique and the WIO region.

Dr. Nyawira Muthiga is currently a Conservation Scientistwith the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and coordinatesWCS’s Marine Programs in the WIO that include countryprograms in Kenya and Madagascar and research projects inTanzania and Mauritius. She also served as President ofWIOMSA 2002 - 2005.

Dr. Mitrasen Bhikajee is presently Director of the MauritiusOceanography Institute. Prior to this appointment, he wasAssociate Professor at the University of Mauritius and he hascarried out assignments for the UNDP, UNEP and the IndianOcean Commission.

Dr. Nirmal Shah is the Chief Executive of Nature Seychellesand the Chairman of the WildLife Clubs of Seychelles andcoordinates the management of Cousin Island Special Reserve,the world’s first internationally owned nature reserve.

He has worked for the Seychelles government, NGOs andinternational organisations such as the World Bank, IUCN,UNESCO, and UNEP. He is a founding member of WIOMSA,and this is the third time he is elected to be on the Board.

Prof. Ron Johnstone is currently the Deputy Director andResearch Director at the Centre for Marine Studies, Univer-sity of Queensland, Australia. He has over 14 years of expe-rience in working with research and coastal zone manage-ment projects and programs in Eastern Africa. He is a found-ing member of WIOMSA, and this is the second time he iselected to be on the Board.

The awarded were (in alphabetical order):

Dr Mitrasen Bhikajee, MauritiusProf. Mats Bjork, SwedenProf. Chantal Conand, La ReunionDr Julius Francis, TanzaniaProf. Olof Linden, SwedenDr Narriman Jiddawi, TanzaniaProf. Ron Johnstone, AustraliaDr Johnson Kazungu, KenyaDr Nyawira Muthiga, KenyaDr Magnus Ngoile, TanzaniaDr Ezekiel Okemwa, KenyaMr. Saleh Sadiq, TanzaniaLate Prof. Adelaide Semesi, Tanzania (the award was collected byher daughter Ms. Sware Semesi)Dr Nirmal Shah, Seychelles

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Setting the research agenda for the futureSetting the research agenda for the futureSetting the research agenda for the futureSetting the research agenda for the futureSetting the research agenda for the future

WIOMSA's Strategic Plan 2005-2020

WIOMSA was established in 1994 as a regional professio-nal, non-profit, membership organization. It is dedicated topromoting the educational, scientific and technologicaldevelopment of all aspects of marine sciences throughoutthe Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. WIOMSA has aparticular interest in linking the knowledge that emerges fromresearch to the management and governance issues thataffect marine and coastal ecosystems in the region.

Exclusive position requires new Strategic PlanWIOMSA plays a unique role in the WIO region. Over time,WIOMSA has built a diverse range of experience in organiza-tion of training courses, coordinating research grants pro-grammes, carrying out advocacy, networking, anddisseminating information relating to the region. Its strengthlies in its regional character, multi-disciplinary membership,good track record in implementation, broad experience andflexibility in its operations.

To guide WIOMSA’s activities over the next 15 – 20 years, aconsultant was appointed in August 2004 with a brief to draft aStrategic Plan for WIOMSA through a consultative process.This process included a questionnaire survey and a regionalconsultative meeting held in Mombasa in October 2004.

Vision, Aim and PurposeThe WIOMSA Strategic Plan comprises a number of ele-ments, including a Vision Statement for the Western IndianOcean region, which reads:

“By 2020 the Western Indian Ocean region will have healthycoastal and marine environments, whose natural resourcesare used sustainably and managed wisely through part-nerships and collaboration between managers, scientists,governments, development partners and civil societyleading to healthy and prosperous communities.”

The revised WIOMSA Aim or Purpose Statement now reads:

“The aim of the Association is to advance regional co-operation in all aspects of coastal and marine sciencesand management, and to support sustainable develop-ment in the Western Indian Ocean region, while promotinginterdisciplinary and multi disciplinary approaches.”

Operating principlesThe Association’s success to date has created confidence,respect and support. Success has also raised expectations,and therefore WIOMSA must strive to maintain its focus. In

order to maintain its course and focus, WIOMSA will beguided by the following operating principles:

• All WIOMSA activities will seek to forward the WIORegion Vision Statement;

• WIOMSA activities will be regional, strategic,collaborative and catalytic;

• Continuity will be maintained particularly in thoseareas where WIOMSA has made its greatestcontribution to date, viz. its support for research, theWIOJMS, its symposia and its capacity buildingcourses for scientists and managers; and

• WIOMSA activities will continue to be carried out ina democratic, transparent, equitable andaccountable way.

Five themesThe Strategy contains five thematic components, each witha strategic objective and priorities:

1. Fostering research excellence through facilitating thedevelopment and updating of a regional researchagenda, supporting improvements in research quality,and supporting the development of a critical mass ofexcellent scientists in all relevant disciplines;

2. Developing expertise for effective management andsustainable development;

3. Raising public awareness and enhancing access torelevant knowledge and information;

4. Promoting networking, cooperation and exchange ofknowledge between researchers, managers and localcommunities; and

5. Promoting and advocating appropriate policies andpractices.

Focus of fund raisingIn the immediate future and as a priority, WIOMSA will focusits activities on a resource mobilisation strategy, designed toensure that WIOMSA achieves financial sustainability. Thefocus of this strategy will be on raising funds to promotesustainable coastal livelihoods and strengthen local institu-tions for improved management and governance, two of thecore aspects of WIOMSA’s Vision.

In the immediate future and as a priority, WIOMSA will focus its activities on a resource mobilisationstrategy, designed to ensure that the Association achieves financial sustainability.

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2005 2004 US$ US$

Balance b/f 714,501.90 602,392.04Add Income receivedOther projects Income 311,334.99 135,145.90Interest Income 3,144.94 1,730.07Masma project Income 1,137,229.50 1,080,149.72Total 2,166,211.33 1,819,417.73

Less PaymentsMasma project Payments 819,507.83 992,625.30Other projects Payments 189,416.19 128,811.69Total payments 1,008,924.02 1,121,436.99

Excess of receipt over payments 1,157,287.31 697,980.74Add back Amount transferred to Trust funds 4,800.00 16,521.00Net excess of receipt over payments 1,162,087.31 714,501.74

WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN MARINE SCIENCE ASSOCIATIONCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2005

2005 2004ASSETS US$ US$Cash and Bank 1,162,087.31 714,501.90Advance Payments 8,870.60 10,795.69Sub-total 1,170,957.91 725,297.59

Less Projects balances 1,084,783.47 667,646.91Total net Assets 86,174.44 57,650.68

Financed by WIOMSA Trust fund 86,174.44 57,650.68

TOTAL 86,174.44 57,650.68

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2005

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1) BASIS OF ACCOUNTINGi) Transactions are recorded on cash basis i.e. Income and expenditure are recognized when it is received or paid respectively.ii) Financial statement is prepared on the historical cost basis of accounting and records are kept on historical cost.

2) DEPRECIATIONAll materials and assets are expensed during the period of procurement.

3) FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSLATIONTransactions denominated in local currency are reported into the reporting currency at the rate ruling on the transactions dateand closing balances at the closing rate.

4) ADVANCE PAYMENTSAdvance payments constitutes payment made in respect of projects whose funds are paid on installments (but currentlyreceived installments are exhausted) so that not to affect the running of the said project only because we have not received thenext installment.

5) SOURCES OF FUNDSWIOMSA is mainly funded by SIDA under MASMA program; other donors normally contribute or finance specific activitie(s) andlasts until the financed project or activity is completed. Other sources include sale of WIOMSA products such as journals andregistration fees from WIOMSA Symposium.

financial statementfinancial statementfinancial statementfinancial statementfinancial statementWESTERN INDIAN OCEAN MARINE SCIENCE ASSOCIATION CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENT OF RECEIPT AND PAYMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31/12/2005

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Dr Mitrasen BhikajeeMauritius Oceanography InstituteMAURITIUS

Prof Mats BjorkStockholms UniversitySWEDEN

Prof Chantal ConandUniversity of ReunionREUNION

Dr Narriman JiddawiInstitute of Marine SciencesTANZANIA

Prof Ian BrycesonNorwegian University of Life SciencesNORWAY

Dr Gilbert DavidInstitut de recherche pour le developementLA REUNION

Dr Julius Francis (Secretary)WIOMSATANZANIA

Dr Jean M HarrisEzemvelo Kwa Zulu Natal WildlifeSOUTH AFRICA

boardboardboardboardboardProf Ron Johnstone (Treasurer)University of QueenslandAUSTRALIA

Dr Johnson KazunguKMFRIKENYA

Dr Nyawira Muthiga (Chairperson)Wildlife Conservation SocietyKENYA

Dr Magnus NgoileMACEMPTANZANIA

programme committe MASMAprogramme committe MASMAprogramme committe MASMAprogramme committe MASMAprogramme committe MASMAProf Nils KautskyStockholm UniversitySWEDEN

Dr Vesa-Matti LoiskeCoastal Management Research Centre (COMREC)SWEDEN

Dr Nyawira MuthigaWildlife Conservation SocietyKENYA

Dr Nirmal Shah (Chairperson)Nature SeychellesSEYCHELLES

country coordinatorscountry coordinatorscountry coordinatorscountry coordinatorscountry coordinatorsComorosMr Hachime AbderemaneBiodiversity ProjectTel: +269 73 62 22E-mail: hachimea@snpt.km

KenyaMr Patrick GwadaKenya Marine and Fisheries Research InstituteTel: +254 41 475151E-mail: pgwada@kmfri.co.ke

MadagascarDr Remi RatsimbazafyWWF - Madagascar Programme OfficeTel: +261 20 22 34885E-mail: RRatsimbazafy@wwf.mg

MauritiusMr Goonajee GovindNational Environmental LaboratoryE-mail: ggovind@mail.gov.mu

MozambiqueMr Rafael RafaelSEACAMTel: +258 1 300641E-mail: rafitorafael@yahoo.com

ReunionDr Mathieu Le CorreECOMAR, University de la ReunionTel: +262 262 93 8686E-mail: mathieu.lecorre@univ-reunion.fr

SeychellesMrs Kerstin HenriNature SeychellesTel: +255 22 2134603E-mail: nature@seychelles.net

Tanzania MainlandProf Yunus MgayaUniversity of Dar es SalaamTel: +255 22 2410462E-mail: ymgaya@udsm.ac.tz

ZanzibarDr Salim MohamedInstitute of Marine SciencesTel: +255 24 2232128E-mail: salim@ims.udsm.ac.tz

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secretariatsecretariatsecretariatsecretariatsecretariatExecutive SecretaryDr Julius Francisjulius@wiomsa.org

Research CoordinatorDr Melckzedeck Osoremosore@wiomsa.org

Communication andExtension CoordinatorMSc Anna Blomberganna@wiomsa.org

editorial boardeditorial boardeditorial boardeditorial boardeditorial boardwestern indian ocean journal of marine sciencewestern indian ocean journal of marine sciencewestern indian ocean journal of marine sciencewestern indian ocean journal of marine sciencewestern indian ocean journal of marine science

Prof Alan Whittick (Editor-in-chief)Memorial UniversityCANADA

Prof Mats BjorkUppsala UniversitySWEDEN

Prof Ian BrycesonNorwegian University of Life SciencesNORWAY

Prof Chantal ConandUniversite de la ReunionLA REUNION

Prof Ron JohnstoneUniversity of QueenslandAUSTRALIA

Prof Yunus MgayaUniversity of Dar es SalaamTANZANIA

Dr Antonio HoguaneEduardo Mondlane UniversityMOZAMBIQUE

Prof Jose PaulaUniversidade de LisboaPORTUGAL

Financial OfficerMSc Hamadi Hamadihamadi@wiomsa.org

MessengerMr Thabit Mohammed

acknowledgementsacknowledgementsacknowledgementsacknowledgementsacknowledgementsWIOMSA would like to thank following people for contributing to the WIOMSA Annual Report 2005

Ian Bryceson, Norwegian University of Life Sciences photosJohan Eklof, Stockholm University photosKerstin Gustafsson, Stockholm University material for article on page 8Rebecka Henriksson, Stockholm University photosNils Kautsky, Stockholm University photosAviti Mmochi, University of Dar es Salaam material for article on page 6

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WIOMSA - a regional, multi-disciplinary,non-governmental membership organi-zation that contributes to conservation,management and development ofcoastal and marine environment in theWestern Indian Ocean region.

Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association(WIOMSA)Mizingani Street, House No. 13644/10P. O. Box 3298, Zanzibar,United Republic of Tanzania,Tel: + 255 24 2233472/2234597Fax: + 255 24 2233852E-mail: secretary@wiomsa.orgwww.wiomsa.org

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