SWIOFC Scientific Committee convenes virtual extraordinary session to advance regional fisheries cooperation

The Scientific Committee (SC) of the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) held an extraordinary meeting on 9 and 10 April 2025, aimed at providing strategic direction for the SWIOFC programme on regional fisheries science and production of advice to management. The two-day virtual meeting brought together representatives from SWIOFC member countries, the FAO, and partner initiatives.

The SC reviews the state of fisheries in the commission's area of competence and produces scientific evidence to advise on management measures to be taken into consideration for adoption by members of the commission. Under its umbrella, the SC provides guidance to its technical groups on fisheries assessment. In particular, the SC recommends policies and procedures for the collection, processing, analysis and dissemination of fisheries data; facilitates the exchange and critical re-examination of fisheries information of interest to the Commission; develops and coordinates cooperative research programs in support of fisheries management; assesses and reports on the state of stocks of interest to the Commission and makes recommendations for the conservation, management and research of fisheries.

Why an extraordinary meeting?

The opening presentation given by Technical Secretary of the SWIOFC, Mr. Pedro Barros, emphasized the growing strategic importance of fisheries and marine research in the region and the impact of national and regional projects on the production of scientific evidence to inform fisheries management and in the growing needs of capacity in the region. The need for enhanced coordination was underscored, especially considering major programs such as the EAF-Nansen Programme and the SWIOFish5 TRANSFORM project. The focus of the meeting was on the discussion and adoption of the work plan of the Scientific Committee and working groups to 2025 and 2026 and to present a survey that will be undertaken to assess the state of fisheries research, knowledge production and general capacity of the fisheries institutes in the 12 countries of the SWIOFC. 

Official Recommendations

The Scientific Committee (SC) adopted the following recommendations:

• To re-structure the Working Groups on stock assessment.
• To establish a new task force to coordinate the work and programme of the SWIOFC on the development of fisheries research and capacity in the region.
• Endorsement of the Transform SWIOFish5 project’s technical and scientific programme.
• Approval of the Scientific Committee Workplan for 2025/26.

• Endorsement of the programme of work of EAF-Nansen Programme in the SWIO region for 2025/26.
• To coordinate SWIOFC-led initiatives and aligning them with broader regional efforts.
• To support the implementation of the “Survey on Capacity for Fisheries Research and Management Advice” in member countries and coordination with similar initiatives in the SWIO region. 

The Committee concluded by confirming that the 12^th regular session of the Scientific Committee will take place from 21 to 25 July 2025 in Madagascar. The results of this extraordinary session will provide a solid foundation for that upcoming in-person meeting and for broader decision-making within the SWIOFC regional framework.

About the SWIOFC

The South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), an FAO statutory body, promotes sustainable fisheries management and regional cooperation in the South West Indian Ocean region. Based in Maputo, Mozambique, the Commission comprises 12 members countries and advocates for ecosystem-based solutions to address regional challenges.