| Title of the Training: | WIO regional benthic imagery |
| Year of the Training: | 2023 |
| Number of Participants: | 266 |
| Country: | Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Reunion, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania |
| Subject: | MASMA |
| Description of the Project: | the WIO Regional Benthic Imagery Workshop took place virtually from 30 August to 3 September 2021. The course introduced participants to underwater camera systems to monitor benthic habitats; how to process and analyze footage; incorporating a multi-disciplinary approach to tackle issues related to benthic ecology; developing a standardized protocol to conduct long-term term-monitoring; and enhancing collaborations/partnerships among practitioners in and outside the region. The five-day workshop built on previous training courses, particularly the second International Indian Ocean Expedition of 2017 and 2018. It was organized in recognition of the need to prioritize enhanced understanding of both shallow and deep-sea benthic invertebrate communities in the western Indian Ocean region and aimed to equip regional researchers with the knowledge and tools needed to monitor and conserve benthic habitats. The workshop was supported by WIOMSA in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) in South Africa and other partners in the WIO region. Over 200 participants across the WIO region attended the meeting. This list includes regional experts on benthic ecology, researchers, and students. It is through this platform that future collaborative efforts have been established and knowledge on data processing and analyses have been gained. We believe that a better understanding of the benthic ecosystems will not only strengthen conservation decisions but also sustain livelihoods within the region. |
| Read More: | https://www.wiomsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WIOMSA-December-2021-Newsbrief.pdf |