Reflections from the 13th WIOMSA Symposium written by: Ailars David – Marine Scientist and Founder of SOA Tanzania

During 28 September – 3 October 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya, the 13th Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) Scientific Symposium brought together over 1,000 scientists, policymakers, researchers, conservationists, and youth leaders from across the African Continent to share knowledge and innovations for the sustainable management of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO).

As the region’s premier scientific conference on coastal and marine ecosystems, the Symposium served as a vital platform for advancing cutting-edge research, fostering collaboration across disciplines and generations, and translating scientific insights into meaningful ocean action.

As a marine scientist and ocean advocate, I had the privilege to contribute to two inspiring sessions that underscored the importance of youth engagement, science-to-policy integration and regional collaboration in shaping Africa’s ocean future.

Ocean Literacy: Connecting Young People and the Ocean

In the youth-led mini symposium “Ocean Literacy: Connecting Young People and the Ocean”, co-hosted by Wild Trust, SOA Tanzania, the ECOP Programme and Blue Ventures, I joined fellow young leaders to highlight how youth across the WIO region are taking bold actions to protect our ocean.

The session emphasized that ocean literacy is more than just understanding the ocean; it’s about inspiring behaviour change, fostering stewardship and empowering communities to act. We explored youth-driven conservation initiatives that are restoring mangroves, protecting seagrass ecosystems and amplifying coastal community voices through education and advocacy.

Our message was clear: to bridge the gap between science and society, we must invest in ocean literacy and create more spaces for youth leadership.

Credits: Ailars David

Shaping Africa’s Ocean Future: ECOPs for Policy Action

I was also honoured to speak in the special session “Shaping Africa’s Ocean Future: Early Career Ocean Professionals’ (ECOP) Voice for Policy Action.”

This session was co-organized by IOC-UNESCO Africa, FAO EAF-Nansen Programme, Early Career Ocean Professionals Programme – Africa Node (ECOP Africa) and Western Indian Ocean Early Career Scientist Network (WIO-ECSN) and centred on building capacity and unlocking opportunities for Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) through initiatives such as the FAO EAF-Nansen Programme fellowships. The discussion also reflected on the African UN Ocean Decade Roadmap, highlighting actions needed to meet 2030 targets taking into account we are almost finishing half of the UN Ocean Decade, and the journey towards the UN Ocean Decade Conference 2027 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

A key message from this session resonated deeply with everyone present —

“We need a change in narrative from ECOP inclusion to integration in science, policy, governance and action.” — Frank Mirobo, General Secretary, WIOECSN / WIOMSA

This powerful call reminds us that young professionals must not just be included — they must be integrated into every level of ocean decision-making.

If you’re part of a research institution, NGO, or government body — commit to creating pathways for ECOPs. Offer internships, mentorship or advisory seats that bring young experts to the policy table.

Science for Action, Policy, and Collaboration

Throughout the symposium, one theme echoed across sessions: science must inform both conservation actions and policy decisions.

New collaborative initiatives such as the WIO Seagrass Mapping Initiative and the WIO Coral Reef Restoration Network exemplify the power of regional partnerships to address ecological challenges. Meanwhile, discussions on the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) agreement (which will enter inti force in January 2026) underscored the urgent need for science-based insights to guide global governance of the high seas.

However, a crucial gap remains — youth and ECOP participation in ocean governance spaces. For instance, the Nairobi Convention, a central platform for ocean governance in the WIO region, currently lacks formal youth or ECOP engagement. Integrating ECOPs into such frameworks is vital for building resilient, inclusive and future-ready policies.

Let’s collaborate to bridge these ocean  governance gaps. If you’re working on marine policy, reach out — together we can build a framework that reflects the voices of both scientists and youth leaders.

Final Reflections and Next Steps

Leaving the 13th WIOMSA Symposium, I am more inspired than ever to continue bridging the worlds of science, policy and youth leadership. The conversations reaffirmed that the WIO region holds not only incredible biodiversity but also a generation of passionate young leaders ready to act.

The path forward calls for science-to-action, science-to-policy, and youth-to-ocean governance. By integrating early-career professionals and youth voices into every step from research and restoration to decision-making we can ensure that the future of our ocean is just, inclusive, and sustainable.

This is a guest blog and may not necessarily represent the views of other RISE UP network members or RISE UP as a whole. It is only through open dialogue and a diversity of ideas that we will arrive at the solutions necessary to restore Ocean health.