SOUTH WEST INDIAN OCEAN FISHERIES
PROGRAMME
(SWIOFP)
NEWSFLASH 2: JUNE 2003

An occasional newsletter to update




member
s of SW
IOFP o
n curre
nt








develo
pments.




















Following on from last month's newsflash it is now possible to report on
additional positive developments in the SWIOFP programme. There has been
considerable international exposure to the programme and the development of
working groups is forging ahead.


Administration
· The appointment of an executive secretary to SWIOFP is imminent, in response to the
advertised position.
· There has been considerable activity in developing a SWIOFP web site. The selection
of a suitable company to design and host the site needs to be finalised, although a
considerable amount of the content has already been compiled. Members will be
canvassed for their input and opinion in regard to the design and content of this site.
· A number of agencies and institutions responded positively to the first Newsflash and
asked to be included in future mailings and possible collaboration.


Programme development
A call for the hosting of the Theme Working Groups was made by the secretariat, as
indicated in the last Newsflash. In response, South Africa reacted on a most positive
note and are now in the process of arranging the first Scientific Programme Working
Group ­ probably for August. Dr Johan Groeneveld from Marine and Coastal
Management (MCM) has been appointed the focal point and leader of this group and
he will contact members in this regard. All members are strongly urged to participate
in this all-important group so as not to forfeit their opportunity to contribute to the
science development of the overall SWIOFP programme.


It is also gratifying to report that France has formally declared its intention to support
and participate in the SWIOFP programme. As a developed nation with considerable
interests and influence in the West Indian Ocean this is indeed good news.

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Programme Progress
It is useful to reflect on programme progress on a regular basis and hence the Programme
Schedule will be updated and included in each Newsflash to indicate the level of progress in
the programme.


INTERIM PROGRAMME


Task
Action
Status
Deadline
Confirm appointments to
Appoint
Final candidate
By end June2003
secretariat.
selected
Initiate the 3 main
Approve plans and
Science
Completed by end
working groups in
budgets for working
programme
September 2003
respective host countries
groups;
underway in SA.
Create basic SWIOFP
Design and host,
Web Company to
By end July 2003
Website
Compile content- send be selected. Draft
out for review
of content designed
Interface with other WIO
Document other
Part complete- e.g. By end July 2003
programmes, including
programmes;
French WIO
LME
circulate- establish
initiative
links.
Final project vision
Compile draft ;
Basic template
By November
document submitted to
circulate
designed
2003
GEF


Events and Meetings
From the 3rd to the 5th of June, the French authorities hosted an international meeting in La
Reunion, to explore possible collaborative themes for research in the Indian Ocean. Although
the topics covered ranged widely from health and culture through to natural resource
management, there was a keen focus on marine matters. More than 300 delegates attended and
the SWIOFP enjoyed considerable exposure as an example of regional collaboration.
Although the meeting was exploratory in nature, there was strong recognition of the existence
and anticipated role of SWIOFP.

We urge you to contact us at the SWIOFP secretariat with ideas, advice and comment. This
programme remains one of the finest opportunities our collective countries will have to ensure
long-term sustainable development of the West Indian Ocean. As such it deserves the support
of all.

"Tongue Twister"
Many of us have lamented the name SWIOFP, as being unimaginative and hardly rolling of
the tongue with ease! We are receptive to the idea of a new Acronym, preferably a name that
reflects a more indigenous feature of our participating countries. Any suggestions?

Instituto Nacional de Investigacao Pesquiera (IIP)
Ana-Paula Baloi
SWIOFP co-ordinator
Maputo
Tel: + 258 1 490536 / 490307 / 499963
Fax + 258 1 492112
Email: swiofp@moziip.org

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