@article{ede4382789854724ae3b50a44f7641a9,
title = "Stakeholder-derived recommendations and actions to support deep-reef conservation in the Western Indian Ocean",
abstract = "Deep reefs below 30 m provide essential ecosystem services for ocean health and human well-being such as food security and climate change resilience. Yet, deep reefs remain poorly researched and largely unprotected, including in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Here, we assessed current conservation approaches in the WIO focusing on deep reefs, using a combination of online surveys and semi-structured interviews. Results indicated that deep-reef data are sparse and commonly stemming from non-peer-reviewed or non-publicly available sources, and are often not used to inform conservation of WIO marine protected areas. Based on those findings, we co-developed a framework with WIO stakeholders comprising recommendations linked to specific actions to be undertaken by regional actors to improve the capacity of the region to collect and share deep-reef information. We hope this framework will enhance deep-reef stewardship and management throughout the WIO and thus aid sustainable blue economic growth in the region.",
keywords = "capacity, cold-water corals, interview, mesophotic coral ecosystems, online survey, public engagement, rariphotic, stakeholders",
author = "Stefanoudis, {Paris V.} and Sheena Talma and Nico Fassbender and Denise Swanborn and Ochieng, {Christine Nyangweso} and Kevin Mearns and Komakoma, {John D.} and Otwoma, {Levy M.} and Mbije, {Nsajigwa Emmanuel} and Osuka, {Kennedy E.} and Melita Samoilys and Nirmal Shah and Toufiek Samaai and Evan Trotzuk and Arthur Tuda and Francisco Zivane and Daniel Wagner and Woodall, {Lucy C.}",
note = "Funding Information: We thank all 60 marine professionals that took part in the online surveys and semi‐structured interviews and without whom this manuscript would not have been possible. Many thanks to April Burt (University of Oxford) for advice on designing and conducting the online survey, to Louw Claassens (Rhodes University) for early discussions on the content of the online survey, and to Ricardo Diniz for assisting with one of the semi‐structured interviews. Nekton received financial support from the Garfield Western Foundation. This is Nekton contribution 28. Funding Information: We thank all 60 marine professionals that took part in the online surveys and semi-structured interviews and without whom this manuscript would not have been possible. Many thanks to April Burt (University of Oxford) for advice on designing and conducting the online survey, to Louw Claassens (Rhodes University) for early discussions on the content of the online survey, and to Ricardo Diniz for assisting with one of the semi-structured interviews. Nekton received financial support from the Garfield Western Foundation. This is Nekton contribution 28. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Authors. Conservation Letters published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.",
year = "2023",
month = jan,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1111/conl.12924",
language = "English",
volume = "16",
journal = "Conservation Letters",
issn = "1755-263X",
publisher = "John Wiley & Sons",
number = "1",
}
