By Hassan Istiila
Tuesday October 4, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) - Fifteen journalists from eleven Indian Ocean countries, including Somalia, attended Earth Journalism Network's Indian Ocean Marine Science workshop in the Maldives.
The Covid-19 pandemic put in-person training activities on hold for two years, and the workshop was postponed twice.
The training took place between September 22 – 26 at Four Seasons Resort in the Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru in the Baa atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
The workshop's participants were from Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique and Somalia.
Training for the program was provided by senior journalists and scientists from EJN working on the Bertarelli Foundation's marine science programs.
Senior trainers and scientists included Dr. Asha de Vos, Professor Heather Koldewey, Joydeep Gupta, Joanna Harris, EJN's Executive Director, and journalist James Fahn.
The journalists had the opportunity to learn first-hand about marine protected areas, reef and open ocean species (such as tuna, rays and sharks), fisheries and climate change.
The group discussed threats to the ecosystems and identified new story ideas.
Throughout the field visits, the journalists interviewed scientists about marine science programs, ecosystems and other areas about the marine for their story development.
During workshop sessions, the participants received story ideas and unique reporting angles. The group visited Hanifaru Bay, dubbed the world's largest manta ray feeding station.
The participants received practical experiences about watching manta, building coral reefs, sharks, and deep-sea and received story ideas during snorkelling sessions.
Participants were granted the opportunity to interview expert scientists, including Francesco Ferretti (Virginia Tech, USA), who focuses on characterizing the history of human impact on the ocean, understanding how this impact has altered marine ecosystems, and developing solutions for the sustainable use of marine resources.
Ferretti's research focuses on management and conservation (with a particular interest in sharks and their relatives).
Other experts include: Seychelles and British environmental lawyer Angelique Pouponneau, a climate negotiator and former Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles' Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust and advisory board member of the U.N. Ocean Decade.
Shaili Johri from Stanford University, a specialist in shark genomics, shark fisheries and trade across the Indian Ocean region.
Phil Hosegood from U.K.'s Plymouth University, who specializes in oceanography and physics linked to mantas and ocean monitoring, including in the Maldives
Lucy Woodall from Oxford University, who specializes in deep sea, policy/conventions, and plastics. Woodall is presently leading a deep-sea research expedition in the Maldives with local partners and Nekton.
The three-day workshop, co-hosted by the Bertarelli Foundation, and the journalists returned to their countries, equipped with more Ocean Marine Science knowledge, story ideas, and interviews for reports to produce stories.