Empowering Ocean Stewards: Highlights from the Latest WIO-COMPAS Certification Event

Zanzibar, Tanzania

 27–30 October 2023

The WIO-COMPAS programme continues to raise the bar for professional marine conservation across the Western Indian Ocean. The latest certification event, held over four days in Zanzibar, brought together 17 passionate MPA professionalsfrom Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Seychelles, South Africa, and Kenya for an intensive competence-based assessment.

A Journey of Professional Growth

The event began in August 2023 with a rigorous application review, ensuring each participant met WIO-COMPAS’s high standards. Candidates then prepared workplace portfolios and case studies, offering real insight into their MPA management experience.

The Zanzibar event was structured to certify professionals at two levels:

• 🟦 Level 1 – Marine Field Operations
• 🟩 Level 2 – Site Management

This dual-level assessment ensured a well-rounded evaluation, reflecting the diverse roles of rangers, wardens, and site managers in protecting the region’s marine ecosystems.

Multi-Tool Competence Evaluation

Over four days, a team of seven trained assessors evaluated candidates through a mix of methods:

• Presentations
• Written tests
• Interviews
• Quizzes
• Real-life boat and beach patrol simulations

This holistic process provided a transparent, skill-focused way to recognise genuine leadership and impact in the field.

📸 Peter Chadwick briefing candidates on patrol exercises during the assessment event.

Newly Certified MPA PROs

✅  Level 1 – Marine Field Operations

1. Brenton Booysen – CapeNature, South Africa

2. David Fondo – Kenya Wildlife Service

3. Neville Agesa – Kenya Wildlife Service

4. Hashim Kilawi – Marine Parks and Reserves Unit, Tanzania

5. Hassan Machafu – Kenya Wildlife Service

6. Paschal Mkongola – Marine Parks and Reserves Unit, Tanzania

7. Susan Wanjiru – Kenya Wildlife Service

8. Ali Yussuf Machano – Chumbe Island Coral Park

9. Jason Bastille – Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority

10. Masanja Joram – Marine Parks and Reserves Unit, Tanzania

11. Norton Cossa – WWF Mozambique

✅ Level 2 – Site Management

1. Remi Asman – Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority

2. Thobeka Dlamini – Department of Environment, Eastern Cape, South Africa

3. Abraham Songok – Kenya Wildlife Service

4. Nelson Mdogo – Marine Parks and Reserves Unit, Tanzania

Results That Matter

After this assessment:

• 14 candidates were successfully certified
• 1 additional candidate was approved from the May 2023 Seychelles event
• Bringing the total number of certified MPA PROs to 139 in the Western Indian Ocean region

The WIO-COMPAS Standard

This event reflects the core WIO-COMPAS commitment:

✅ Recognising real-world competence

✅ Encouraging professional development

✅ Supporting a regional standard of excellence in marine resource management