The South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and the Nairobi Convention | Western Indian Ocean Partnership Project for Resilient Marine and Coastal Ecosystems and Livelihoods held its second annual review in Diani, Kenya, from 2 to 4 December 2025. The meeting convened national project teams from Kenya, representatives of FAO, the Nairobi Convention, and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to assess progress since the first review in November 2024, review achievements, discuss 2026 work plans, and launch the project’s Mid-Term Review to be conducted in Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
The SWIOFC–Nairobi Convention partnership leverages the complementary mandates of the two institutions. SWIOFC, established under FAO, promotes sustainable fisheries management, scientific collaboration, and improved governance across the Western Indian Ocean, while the Nairobi Convention, hosted by UNEP, focuses on the protection, management, and development of coastal and marine ecosystems. Funded by Sida, the partnership supports countries in strengthening ocean governance, applying the ecosystem approach to fisheries, restoring degraded habitats, and improving coastal community livelihoods.
During the review, national teams presented updates on fisheries management, coastal environmental protection, and livelihood diversification. Technical sessions covered marine spatial planning, economic valuation, and the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods for marine biodiversity assessment. These discussions highlighted the partnership’s role in facilitating knowledge sharing and technical cooperation across the region.
A field visit to Vanga, Kwale County, illustrated tangible community-level results. Local fishers reported increased fish abundance around submerged anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (aFADs) and demonstrated skills acquired through project-supported training, including FAD construction, gear mounting, fishing methods, and fisheries monitoring. FAO’s Chief Technical Adviser, Nissiat Monjoin, emphasized that practical training and sustainable fishing innovations improve both income generation and ecosystem recovery. The visit also showcased eco-friendly value chain interventions, such as solar-powered cold storage facilities and freezers, which reduce post-harvest losses, maintain fish quality, and enhance market participation.
Environmental conservation was highlighted as a significant achievement. Through Nairobi Convention support, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) secured 455 hectares of additional mangrove forest in Vanga. The community-led VAJIKI initiative is mapping mangrove ecosystems to inform blue carbon projects, restoration, and reforestation. Revenues from carbon credits are supporting biodiversity conservation, coastal protection, and local livelihoods, while co-management ensures the protection of fish breeding grounds. UNEP’s Theuri Mwangi noted that integrated fisheries and environmental interventions strengthen results for both communities and ecosystems.
Donors expressed confidence in the project’s impact, highlighting improved coordination and budget absorption. Sida Regional Programme Manager Anna Tjarvar emphasized the clear progress in enhancing community livelihoods and coastal ecosystem health. Local community leaders echoed this sentiment, reporting increased earnings, improved work conditions, and greater confidence in the future.
Looking ahead, the partnership will focus on scaling successful interventions, strengthening regional knowledge exchange, and reporting outcomes to the next Nairobi Convention Conference of Parties in October 2026. Priority areas for 2026 include integrating the ecosystem approach to fisheries into national frameworks, advancing marine spatial planning, expanding the application of eDNA, promoting green and blue financing, engaging the private sector, strengthening ocean governance, harmonizing legal frameworks, and supporting area-based Fisheries Management Plans. Community-based conservation experiences, such as those in Pemba, Zanzibar, will be documented and shared to guide replication across the Western Indian Ocean region.
