South West Indian Ocean Tuna Forum

SAVE THE DATE!!!! Webinar – BBNJ Implementation 3 June 2026 | 11:00 AM (EAT) | Register Here : uow-au.zoom.us/meeting/regist… . We look forward to seeing you there!

SAVE THE DATE!!!! Webinar – BBNJ Implementation 3 June 2026 | 11:00 AM (EAT) | 📷 Zoom Details on registration and speakers to follow.

SWIOTUNA recently returned from a Blue Forest & Blue Carbon Learning Exchange in Indonesia organized by WWF SWIO and WWF Indonesia. We explored sustainable finance, community benefit-sharing, and inclusive governance, with field insights from Labuan Bajo & Komodo National Park.

SWIOTUNA is Glad to have joined fellow stakeholders in launching the Blue Economy initiative—strengthening our collaboration with the Ministry and partners across the region toward sustainable ocean solutions. 🌊🤝 #BlueEconomy

SWIOTUNA & WWF hosted the #SWIOSBE CSO Reflection & Learning Workshop in Mombasa (10–14 Nov), bringing together CSOs from Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique & WWF partners to reflect on 2021–2025 progress, share lessons, and plan future priorities to advance inclusive SBE in the region.

Civil society groups from South West Indian Ocean countries are calling on governments to take stronger action against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, warning that it’s threatening the region’s blue economy. Doreen Nasimiyu Simiyu, Coordinator of the South West Indian Ocean Tuna Forum (SWIOTUNA), said implementing existing fishing policies will not only protect marine resources but also uplift coastal communities that depend on the sector. “We are lobbying our governments to implement specific policies that will curb IUU fishing. This is one of the biggest challenges preventing our countries from fully benefiting from a sustainable blue economy,” said Simiyu during a regional workshop in Mombasa. She explained that combating illegal fishing requires coordinated measures such as vessel tracking, port state controls, and international cooperation to ensure transparency and accountability across the supply chain. WWF Coastal Kenya Manager Asma Awadh noted that a four-year program has helped build technical and legal capacity among local civil society organizations on fisheries governance. However, she said more funding and coordination are needed for the blue economy to reach its full potential. “The blue economy remains vast and costly. One program alone cannot address all the challenges, and more investment is needed to help local communities benefit meaningfully,” said Awadh. Photo: Harrison Kivisu (TUKO)

🌊 At #UNOC3 in Nice, SWIOTUNA amplified the voices of small-scale fishers from the SW Indian Ocean on the global stage. 📖 Read our full blog on how we’re shaping ocean governance & sustainability 👉 bit.ly/40uCwbk #SmallScaleFisheries #BlueEconomy #SDG14

“Economic development does not negate #HumanRights” Matai Zamuël, @WWFGuianas Youth Ambassador & ocean defender. Collaborative action is needed to support #CoastalCommunities & uphold the right to a healthy ocean in the face of a growing #ocean economy. #UNOC3📽️@seavoiceonline

SWIO Tuna! 🐟🌍Today in Mauritius🇲🇺, #SWIOFC countries meet to join forces and coordinate action for the sustainable management of tuna fisheries at the 13th WPCCTF for the benefit of SWIO livelihoods. Thanks to the Government of 🇲🇺 and SWIOFC partners for supporting this event.

“We're talking about an #ocean that supports the food security, supports the livelihoods, supports the cultural identity of coastal communities, so when this ocean is degraded [...] this directly affects the #HumanRights of #SSFs” @DivonMwamba of @swiotuna speaking @ #UNOC3 👏👏

Brainstorming ways to accelerate the implementation of the @FAO #SSFGuidelines through #data systems that are inclusive & led by #fishers - key to advancing governance of #SmallScaleFisheries 📷@mariahonig moderating the session, led by a brilliant collaboration of partners 🌊

Thanks all for joining our UNOC3 side event Securing the Socio-Economic Rights of Small-Scale Fishers in the SWIO Region.” We shared key findings from our SSF Guidelines assessment and will keep advancing fishers’ rights through inclusive policies & governance. 🌊 #UNOC3 #SSF

Speakers/supporters of June 7/8 #UNOC3 side events include: @ACCLCInitiative @astridpuentes @CEEDphilippines @DivonMwamba @FranciscansIntl @GerryArances_ @ICCAConsortium @IUCN @IUCN_CEESP @maria_honig @mohammadarju @RimbaWatch @seavoiceonline @sgi_info @SkyTruth @swiotuna @WWF

Join our colleagues at @SWIOTUNA at #UNOC3 for their event: “Securing the Socio-Economic Rights of Small-Scale Fishers in the Southwest West Indian Ocean Region" - moderated by @WWF @ACCLCInitiative's Marina Gomei!