"Our oceans are a transboundary resource that needs to be managed collaboratively and at a scale that cannot be achieved at a country level. WWF International launched the SWIO Seascape Regional Programme in April 2022 to coordinate its efforts in this region, which has been identified as a top priority node in Africa, to achieve the organization’s global goals.

Dating back over 50 years, WWF has a long history of working in the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO). The SWIO Seascape Regional Programme is not its first cross-border undertaking. Most recently, WWF has worked in the shared ocean space of the Northern Mozambique Channel (NMC), the second-most biodiverse ocean region on the planet. This programme of work was ably led by Harifidy Ralison, who over many years made an incredible contribution to the conservation and sustainable management of the NMC region.

Despite previous regional forays, this is the first time WWF has drawn a circle around the entire SWIO region, which collectively is the most biodiverse region in Africa and second most in the world. The scale and scope of WWF’s ambition in the area should not be taken lightly."

Dr Samantha Petersen, WWF SWIO Seascape Lead