Local and International Stakeholders understanding the importance of Marine Protected Area Law

The Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (ESA-IO) region comprises island and coastal states with highly vulnerable ecosystems. Its biodiversity, especially rich in endemic species, has degraded over the years as a result of anthropogenic pressures. The five-year Biodiversity Project, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), was designed for the island and coastal states of the ESA-IO to assist the countries to build the capacity of stakeholders at all levels to effectively and sustainably manage the use of biodiversity. 

Minister Didier Dogley and Vice Chancellor Dennis Hardy with participants in the Training of Trainers in MPA Law

On behalf of the Indian Ocean Commission, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change in close collaboration with the University of Seychelles Blue Economy Institute  organized the Training of Trainers in Marine Protected Area Law in the Western Indian Ocean. The training started with an opening ceremony on Monday 26^th September, 2016 at the Unicafe, UniSey whereby the Vice Chancellor of the University addressed local participants and participants from Kenya, Mauritius and Tanzania. The Training of Trainers (TOT)  is expected to end on Friday 30^thSeptember, 2016 and the participants will be conducting a Field Trip tomorrow at the St Anne Marine Park.

This session is the first in the two sessions outlined in the project as the second one is scheduled in Madagascar from 31 October to 4 November 2016. The course will be conducted in French and draw on participants from Comoros, Madagascar and Mauritius.

The purpose of this TOT is to build the capacity of nationals from the project targeted countries for an improved understanding of the importance of MPA related laws and their implementation including enforcement and governance arrangements. The goal is to train a batch of professionals from the MPA / environmental sector, the line Ministries, relevant departments in Universities, and from the legal profession - in environmental laws relating to marine protected areas. Once empowered, the intention is for the beneficiaries of the training to be able to train a wider range of stakeholders. Participants were able to apply for the training which was advertised in the local newspaper a month ago.