Strengthening the blue economy of the Western Indian Ocean

The basis for sustainable development around an ocean-based economy is the compatibility with the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The project is therefore promoting the protection and strengthening of natural marine resource management s in the Western Indian Ocean in the partner countries. With marine and coastal planning, restoration of ecosystems such as mangroves and the development of climate-resilient and sustainable fishing methods for the benefit of coastal communities, the project strengthens the resilience of marine biodiversity. To this end, it builds up resources and skills on site and within government agencies, develops strategies for fisheries management and marine spatial planning for the implementation of SDG 14 (life under water) and the CBD. It also supports the partner countries in adapting their NDCs with regard to the protection of marine biodiversity.

Project data

Countries: Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania
IKI funding: 7,568,771.00 €
Included preparation phase: 311,104.00 €
Duration: 04/2021 till 03/2027
Status: open
Implementing organisation: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) - International
Political Partner: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries - Kenya

Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources (MACCE) - Seychelles

Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy - Seychelles

Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs - Kenya

Vice President’s Office (VPO) - Tanzania
Implementing Partner: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) - Tasmania/Australia

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State of implementation/results

In 2025 TNC published a study that strengthens the evidence base for integrating Kenya’s mangroves and seagrasses into national climate commitments.
November 2025: TNC, the Government of Kenya and the project partners held a four-day Marine Spatial planning Harmonization Workshop with representatives from government agencies, NGOs, research institutes and technical consultancy partners.
September 2025: Six community-managed nurseries were established in Pate Island, producing more than 6,000 mangrove seedlings to support expansion of restoration. Complementing this effort, over 23 Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) sites were mapped, strengthening spatial data accuracy and ensuring reporting of restoration progress.
September 2025: County Mangrove Management Committees (CMMCs) were operationalized, which has positioned county institutions to deliver coordinated and results-driven mangrove conservation actions.
September 2025: TNC and government agency partners co-hosted a session on existing tools for fisheries management including FishPath, and lessons learned to lobster and octopus fisheries at the 13th WIOMSA Symposium.
July 2025: a workshop on results of the projects pilot Electronic fisheries Monitoring (EM) cases was organised with 45 participants in Mombasa, including industry, policy makers, fisheries managers, and scientists.
May 2025: The Kenya Lobster Fishery Management Plan and Harvest Strategy was officially Gazetted and public consultation was conducted.
January 2025: the Kenyan government issued a Notice of Planning Intent, which published the Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) Planning Area and formalised the national MSP in legislation, and issued a call for public participation.
November 2024: Capacity building training for EM was completed with the participation of the Kenya Fisheries Service and other fisheries authorities.
April 2023: The Harvest Strategy for the lobster fishery in Kenya was completed.
August 2022: a workshop for key stakeholders was held in the Tana River Couty to accelerate next steps for implementing the work of the Community Forest Associations and Participatory Forest Management Plans.
As part of Kenya's MSP, a national framework for marine spatial planning, a strategy for stakeholder engagement and implementation, draft guidelines for a strategic environmental and social impact assessment and capacity building requirements have been developed.

In Tanzania, the project is actively supporting the government in drawing up a national MSP. Workshops have been organised to build the capacity of government representatives.
November 2024: TNC attended the National Blue Economy Policy Dialogue meeting, hosted by the Vice President Office (VPO) and the EU to share overall project progress. The VPO announced the establishment of a dedicated Blue Economy committee and an Interministerial Committee for the Blue Economy.
A pre-feasibility scoping study and a legal, policy and administrative analysis on the status of MSP in the United Republic of Tanzania has been completed. The scoping study engaged over 208 stakeholders, ranging from development partners, key government ministries and agencies, research institutions, and local and international non-government organizations.
The IKI project plays a central role in the Blue Economy Development Partners Group organised by UNDP and provides monthly updates on the status of marine spatial planning in Tanzania.

December 2025: a stock assessment for the spiny lobster fishery in Seychelles was completed for the first time and is undergoing internal review at the Seychelles Fisheries Authority.
October 2025: a National Lobster Stakeholder Workshop to present and get feedback on the Lobster value chain analysis was held.
June 2025: the new Seychelles Fisheries and Aquaculture Act was officially Gazetted and assented. The project contributed to this piece of legislation providing multiple reviews of the bill over the past years, with special emphasis on Fishery management plans and designation of protected zones or areas.
August 2024: A workshop for government representatives and fisheries stakeholder on data collection as part of the sustainable revision of lobster fishery planning was held.
May 2024: The Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA) is being supported in the introduction of EM for longliners.
An EM training for fisheries capacity building was completed with the SFA.
August 2023: agreements on new fishing regulations and a framework for fishing licences for crab fishing were concluded in a workshop with the Seychelles' fisheries authority.

Latest Update:
04/2026