Tales of the Sea

Tales of the Sea, hosted by the 7th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC7), brings together local, indigenous, and international scientists, artists, and community leaders to discuss diverse efforts addressing key ocean conservation challenges.

This event serves as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and public engagement, blending scientific expertise with cultural and artistic expression. Tales of the Sea aims to inspire action, foster community engagement, and showcase innovative solutions from those on the frontlines of marine conservation.

More details can be found here: https://www.xcdsystem.com/imcc/program/EP9fj4N/index.cfm?pgid=100

Learn more about IMCC7 here:

https://scbmarineprogram.org/meetings-imcc7/

Sinegugu Zukulu and Nonhle Mbuthuma

Significance and sacredness of the ocean to coastal communities of the Wild Coast.

For centuries, indigenous people have lived sustainably while resisting invaders on South Africa’s Wild Coast. Sinegugu and Nonhle will talk about a David and Goliath court-case struggle against Shell, and how their communities succeeded in halting oil / gas exploration, winning ongoing protection for their ocean and culture.

Dr. Karin Moejes

Coral reef restoration through resilience, innovation and community collaboration

Coral reefs, once vibrant and full of life, are seeing their brilliant colors fade, threatened by rising temperatures, pollution, and unsustainable practices. These ecosystems, which millions of people and countless marine species depend on, are an intricate part of the web of life. As we witness this decline, the urgency to protect them has never been greater. Through stories of resilience and innovation, we’ll explore how communities, scientists, and youth are working to restore coral reefs and safeguard the future of our oceans—because each action, no matter how small, is a step toward ensuring these natural wonders can continue to support life for generations to come.

Dr. Bruce Mann

Establishment and monitoring of the Pondoland Marine Protected Area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

The Pondoland coast between Port Edward and Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape was identified as an important gap in the network of marine protected areas (MPAs) found around the South African coast during the 1990s. Following a two-year marine biodiversity survey conducted between 2002-2003, the Pondoland MPA was proclaimed in June 2004. Following this, a long-term monitoring project was established in 2006 to monitor the effectiveness of the MPA in protecting offshore reef fish. This talk will share some of the results and experiences of this monitoring project over the past 16 years (2006-2021).

Dr. Jennifer O'Leary

Empowering Marine Conservation in East Africa: Lessons Learned and Visions for the Future".

Dr. Jennifer O'Leary will share insights and lessons learned from 18 years of effort to empower fishing communities and marine protected area agencies in conservation in East Africa. She will describe results of 10+ years working to improve MPA management effectiveness in the Western Indian Ocean, and describe how differences in institutional structure led to different needs and pathways to success. She will then discuss core needs perceived by small-scale fishing communities in managing fisheries and marine space, and reflect on learnings from working with communities around how to best catalyze and sustain marine management initiatives in an inclusive and gender equitable approach. She will share recordings from small-scale fishing communities in Kenya sharing their accomplishments and hopes for the future. Finally, she will outline pathways to supporting fishing communities in effective resource management into the future through: 1) sustainable finance initiatives; 2) a fishing community empowerment academy with long-term mentoring, professional coaching, training, and networking; and 3) using new technology to open up new ways for communities to access data in decision making.

Host or Publisher 7th International Marine Conservation Congress