National research programme Fisheries and Biodiversity in the Western Indian Ocean (PEPR BRIDGES)
Co-benefiting sustainable fisheries and biodiversity in the Indian Ocean
The south-western Indian Ocean, a region of exceptional biodiversity, has its marine ecosystems and coastal communities seriously threatened by climate change and overexploitation of resources. To address these challenges, the BRIDGES research programme brings together scientists, decision-makers and local stakeholders to devise solutions that integrate conservation, social justice and food security.
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Using interdisciplinary approaches combining oceanography, modelling, ecology, human and social sciences, BRIDGES draws on detailed studies of coastal and pelagic fisheries social-ecological systems to anticipate their vulnerabilities, model their dynamics and propose appropriate governance tools.
In particular, the programme explores the effectiveness of areabased management tools such as marine protected areas with a view to restoring ecosystems while supporting sustainable fishing practices. These management measures will be networked through coordinated observation and collectively evaluated through a participatory and Open Science approach.
The expected benefits relate to food security, the prevention of conflicts over access to resources, and the adaptation of communities to climate pressures. BRIDGES also aims to establish a regional training and decision-making support network to accompany long-term ecological and social transitions..
