West Indian Ocean Region

Regional Coordinator: Tara Cox

This region covers the Western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea (FAO fishing area 51).  Approximately 24 countries and numerous principalities border this region (see below).

Research on bycatch of long-lived air breathing vertebrates is in a relatively nascent stage in the Western Indian Ocean.  Currently, there are known bycatch issues with dugongs, sea turtles, and dolphins, mostly in gillnet and trawl fisheries.  In addition, in the southern latitudes of this region (e.g. South Africa and Reunion Island), there is documented bycatch of seabirds in longlines. 

Recent developments have resulted in increased efforts to determine and report bycatch of sea turtles and marine mammals in the region.  Several researchers that are members of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) have initiated collaborations on investigating bycatch of marine mammals and sea turtles; in November 2006, WIOMSA hosted the Western Indian Ocean Regional Workshop on Incidental Catch of Non-targeted Marine Species: Problems and Mitigaiton Measures.  In addition, the Indian Ocean – Southeast Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding (IOSEA) hosted the Year of the Turtle in 2006 to increase visibility of turtle conservation in the region.  Project GloBAL will work with local researchers to build on the momentum created by these initiatives.