Socio-economic knowledge to inform evidence-based fisheries management: SWIOFC continues its work on the reinforcement and harmonization of the assessment of its priority fisheries.

Maputo, Mozambique, 27 February 2026 - The South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) successfully convened the Third Meeting of its Working Group on Fisheries Socioeconomics (WGFSE) and Expert Training, combining virtual preparatory work with an intensive in-person workshop held from 16 to 27 February 2026 in Maputo, Mozambique. The meeting brought together experts from Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia the United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen. The training was delivered by FAO fisheries experts through the EAF-Nansen Programme and supported by TRANSFORM SWIOFish5 Component 1. The working group meeting was combined with on-the-job training on socio-economic data management and analysis. The meeting was funded by the SWIOFC partner, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

In the opening remarks, Ms. Sheriffa Morel, the Chair of the WGFSE, welcomed the participants and underlined the collective responsibility of Members Nations on this important work, and on the need to strengthen the socio-economic advice to fisheries management.

Advancing socio-economic data for fisheries management

Over the two weeks in-person workshop, the participants reviewed progress made during the preparatory phase, including the compilation and revision of country data on fisheries value networks. Countries presented updates on available information, identified data gaps and discussed a proposed basic set of common socio-economic indicators to inform the work of the SWIOFC Scientific Committee (SC). Technical sessions focused on improving the quality, organization and analysis of fisheries socio-economic data. Participants engaged in hands-on training covering data management essentials, best practices in dataset organization, and practical guidance on data processing, descriptive statistics and visualization. Remote support was provided previously and will continue during the reporting phase and production of harmonized outputs to be submitted to the Scientific Committee.

Strengthening regional collaboration

The workshop also addressed the process and format for socio-economic reporting to the SC, identified opportunities for enhanced regional collaboration and exchange, and outlined the workplan for the next intersessional period. On the final day, participants reviewed key achievements and finalized documentation for information of the Scientific Committee.

The training forms part of a broader multi-block process that includes remote and in-person training and support through a fixed period comprising several months. This approach will continue through remote collaboration to finalize the technical report on value networks of priority fisheries, further reinforcing evidence-based fisheries management across the region. Online sessions after the in-person meeting will be conducted for each country to finalize work and fine tune results….

About SWIOFC

The South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), an FAO statutory body, promotes regional cooperation and sustainable fisheries management and in the South West Indian Ocean. The SWIOFC comprises 12 Member Nations – Comoros, France, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen. The Secretariat of the SWIOFC is based in Maputo, Mozambique.