Workshop aims to develop Marine and Coastal Atlas for Africa

The African Marine Atlas can be incorporated into the national atlases. Altogether 45 participants representing 22 countries attended the training. (Photo: ODINAFRICA) Click to enlarge The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute building in Mombasa, Kenya. (Photo: Fiona Cuff)

I was privileged to attend the Ocean Data and Information Network of Africa (ODINAFRICA) Marine and Coastal Atlas Workshop in Mombasa, Kenya.

The aim of the two-week workshop, which was hosted by Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), was training delegates to develop a Coastal and Marine Atlas for Africa at national scales. There were 22 countries represented at the training, with 45 participants attending.

Workshop focus

The focus of the workshop was ocean data collection sources, ocean data products, data synthesis and oceanographic GIS. Metadata record keeping was also taught, using GeoNetwork. Each country defined their own unique area of interest (AOI) and participants, under guidance, prepared crucial products for the development of the Atlas for each AOI. Metadata records were created to reference and describe each product.

Each training workshop was led by Murray Brown, a Consultant for the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) and Greg Reed, Data Management Trainer from IODE. Some software and internet connection issues were experienced, which taught participants a great deal about different operating systems and the hassles they can cause. The OceanTeacher courses were followed for most of the products created in SAGA (System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses). Each day consisted of a morning and afternoon session and ended around 7 pm.

Saturday morning was used to catch up on unfinished work and help with some applications. The afternoon was left open for participants to entertain themselves. I used the time to do a “reef safari” and go for a scuba dive.

An outing was organised by KMFRI for the Sunday with a 5 am start to get to the ferry early before it got too busy. We proceeded to Shimba Hills where we had a game drive and a 2 km walk to a waterfall accompanied by an armed ranger to keep elephants at bay. Lunch was enjoyed at Tree Top Lodge in an open setting overlooking a drinking hole and salt lick for elephants, but the only animals to be seen were a fish eagle and a squirrel. From there it was back across the ferry with a quick visit to Fort Jesus and a short tour of KMFRI.

Creating Atlas products

The second week covered more data types and sources, and how to manipulate them to create atlas products such as marine primary production and surface drift. Lucy Scott of the Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems Project (ASCLME) gave a talk on her work for the African Marine Atlas and how this can be incorporated into the national atlases.

The highlight of the last workshop day was a presentation on the Marine Irish Digital Atlas (MIDA) by Yassine Lassoued, one of the MIDA developers. Discussions and a wrap up session detailed the way forward and the planned events for the year to follow were presented.

The workshop was a wonderful opportunity to network with participants from the many marine institutions throughout Africa. Kenya is a beautiful country with a rich culture and friendly people. Thanks to everyone involved, especially Mika Odido, Coordinator for IODE regional activities and Harrison Ong'anda, Research Officer at KMFRI, as well as ASCLME and ODINAfrica for providing the opportunity and funding the trip.