On October 3rd, the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative (CRRI) had the privilege of joining the vibrant marine science community at the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium in Mombasa, Kenya. Held every three years, this flagship event brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners under the theme: “One Ocean, One Future: Connecting People, Policy, and Science for a Thriving Western Indian Ocean.”
Our special session, “Bridging Science and Policy for Coral Reef Conservation in the Indian Ocean,” spotlighted CRRI’s vision and progress in the Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) region. We shared recent milestones from Madagascar and Tanzania, where national coral reef hubs and action plans are now driving coordinated conservation efforts under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Coral Reef Rescue Project. These efforts are being led in-country by Arielle Inès Hoamby (WCS Madagascar) and Godfrey Ngupula (MPRU, Tanzania).
A highlight of the session was a presentation by Mahery H. Randrianarivo on the status of climate-resilient coral reefs in Madagascar, offering critical insights into ecosystem health and resilience.
Our interactive Mentimeter session captured regional priorities and perspectives, directly informing the next phase of our strategy refresh and reinforcing our commitment to co-designing solutions with partners.
“Participating in the WIOMSA Symposium and presenting our Coral Reef Rescue Initiative experience allowed me to place our work within the broader Western Indian Ocean context. I saw how our efforts in Madagascar and Tanzania connect with regional priorities on coral reef resilience, governance, and capacity building. The event gave me the chance to build new partnerships, exchange knowledge with other WIO colleagues, and expand my professional network. It also strengthened my confidence to contribute more actively to regional discussions and policy efforts on coral reef conservation,”
— Domoina Rakotomalala, WWF CRRI Madagascar Focal Point
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners, donors, and the WIOMSA community for making this engagement possible. As we look ahead to 2030, we are more committed than ever to deepening collaborations and aligning our work with both regional and national priorities. Let’s continue building resilient reefs and thriving coastal communities, together.
