The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is currently implementing the project Invasive alien species and other ocean stressors: Furthering the scientific knowledge and capacity basis in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME), which is funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). The project is implemented in collaboration with the Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO, Spain).

The project aims at furthering the scientific knowledge and capacity basis in the countries in the region (Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal and Spain (Canary Islands)) by adding a focus on the effects of multiple ocean stressors to the knowledge base of the Canary Current system. This new focus will include a collaborative approach to the question of invasive alien species (IAS), its connection with other ocean stressors, and an assessment of IAS and other ocean stressors in the region.

During this first meeting, the project, the concepts and the terminology associated to multiple ocean stressors and invasive alien species, will be introduced.

This capacity development effort is aimed at enhancing oceanography capacities in the region, and is intended to providing room for scientific discussions among speakers and participants. Networks will be built through the attendance of regional experts and postgraduate students from different countries and with different backgrounds.

The meeting will be held on-line 24 February 2022 from 11 h to 14 h CET (Paris time). It will be held in English.