Ocean Governance Training Programme 2023

The International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa (IOI-SA) hosted the 10th Ocean Governance Training Programme from the 4th to the 29th of September 2023, in Cape Town, South Africa. We were very excited to welcome 23 local and international participants: 15 from South Africa, and 8 participants from Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya (2), Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania. During the course, participants had the opportunity to engage with regional experts in a range of ocean governance thematic areas.  Course content was complimented with interactive sessions, and group discussion.  Field trips provided an opportunity to apply the learnings in a practical setting.

The 4 weeks were characterized by thoughtful and enthusiastic input from the participants. We encouraged peer-to-peer learning and group exercises throughout the training. Practical sessions included a risk assessment exercise, group work on multilateral environmental agreements and a simulated marine spatial planning process, using the interactive board game donated by IOC-UNESCO.

One group exercise ran throughout the four-week period and involved the development of a policy brief on one of four broad topics listed below:

  • Opportunities from green shipping and green ports for reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Small scale fisheries: policy implementation challenges;
  • Oil and gas production: impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems;
  • Marine pollution:  policy approaches for reducing marine plastic pollution from land-based sources.

The field trips formed an integral part of the technical course schedule, anchoring the course content with practical examples, and providing the participants with an opportunity to explore areas around Cape Town through the lens of ocean governance.  For many of the participants, this was their first time to visit some of the world-famous sites of the Western Cape.  Highlights included visits to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Two Oceans Aquarium, Kraaifontein recycling plant, Zandvlei Nature Reserve and Shark Spotters.

Click here to view the Ocean-Governance-Training-Course-Report-2023 and course programmeDownload

Author: IOI-SA

IOI-SA focuses on Ocean Governance capacity development in Africa through training programmes aimed at harmonising management, policy and development. The IOI-SA produces research, policy and strategy-related outputs to address key challenges of sustainable ocean governance in support of the communities, governments, regions and international organizations concerned with securing a peaceful, prosperous and healthy future for all. The IOI-SA maintains particular focus on rural coastal communities, decision-makers, post­graduate students and schools. It achieves its mission through collaborating and networking with organizations and government agencies in Africa that are active in the sphere of marine and coastal management and sustainable livelihoods.