The workshop took place June 24, 2025 between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM in the premises of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT), Bar Beach Stop, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was co-organized by Mundus maris and Fish Party.

On June 24, 2025, Mundus maris and Fish Party co-hosted a comprehensive workshop at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT) in Lagos, Nigeria, in observance of World Ocean Day 2025.

The event, themed „Sustaining What Sustains Us“ in line with this year’s UN motto for World Ocean Day, aimed to equip participants with essential skills in fisheries journalism and foster a deeper understanding of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) through an interactive role-playing exercise.

The workshop brought together a diverse group of approximately 40 participants, including fisheries students, youth ambassadors, officials from agricultural ministries, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), fisherfolk from Lagos’s coastal communities, and representatives from the trawlers association.

The workshop commenced with a warm welcome from the compere, Mariam Adegbola (First photo above).

Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Stella Williams, representing Mundus maris, and Mr. Idowu Hunyinbo, representing Fish Party.

Both speakers emphasized the critical importance of ocean health and the need for collaborative efforts to ensure improving ocean health as a prerequisite of sustainable marine resources for future generations.

Mrs Funke Adesoji, Media Consultant

The first session, facilitated by Mrs. Funke Adesoji, Producer, Silverbird Communications, focused on the crucial role of journalism in promoting sustainable fisheries and highlighting community impact. Mrs. Adesoji provided practical guidance on creating effective journalistic content, particularly using everyday devices. Key takeaways from this segment included:

Visual Storytelling: Participants were advised to prioritize landscape orientation over portrait when capturing photos and videos to ensure a more comprehensive and professional visual narrative.

Audio Quality: The importance of serene and silent backgrounds for clear audio recording was stressed, emphasizing that a clean soundscape enhances the message.

Lighting: Achieving perfect lighting was highlighted as essential for producing high-quality visuals that effectively convey the intended message.

Content Focus: The session encouraged participants to focus on sustainable fisheries practices, the media’s role in advocacy, and the tangible impact on fishing communities.

Dissemination: Participants were encouraged to share their journalistic reports with Mundus maris and Fish Party, with a specific emphasis on channeling these reports to the environmental journalist at Silverbird Communications for broader outreach.

Dr Abiodun-Solanke, moderator of the role play

Dr. Elizabeth Mangai, Lecturer, FCFMT, delivered an insightful short talk on the significance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). She elucidated how MPAs serve as vital tools for conserving marine biodiversity, allowing fish populations to recover, and ultimately enhancing the resilience of marine ecosystems.

Following the short talk, participants engaged in an interactive group activity. They worked collaboratively to select hypothetical sites for MPAs on a map, define responsibilities for their management, and identify key indicators for success. This hands-on exercise fostered a deeper understanding of the practical considerations involved in MPA establishment and management.

Participant representing an NGO

The highlight of the workshop was the interactive role-play session titled „Saving Our Seas Together,“ moderated by Dr. Abiodun-Solanke. This dynamic activity simulated a scenario involving conflict and management discussions within an MPA context and is based on work by Mundus maris in 2024 titled ‘Protecting Blue Horizons’ on how to make an MPA work in practice.

The participants, comprising fisheries students, youth ambassadors, public officials, scientists, industrial trawlers, and artisanal fishers, assumed specific roles:

Representing a fisher women from Epe Coastal Community

The scientist explained the ecological rationale for MPAs and their benefits for fish stock recovery.

The Artisanal Fishwoman represented the interests of small-scale fishers and the cultural significance of traditional fishing practices.

The Industrial Fisher / Captain articulated concerns about business operations and the need for adaptive strategies.

The Public Official focused on balancing economic development, job creation, and environmental protection through permits, clear rules, and safeguards.

In the role of a public official

The role-play effectively demonstrated how diverse stakeholders, often with competing

interests, could engage in negotiation and work towards shared goals. The debriefing session that followed allowed for a critical discussion of the outcomes and lessons learned from the simulated MPA conflict.

It was highlighted that MPAs succeed only when all voices shape the solution, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation.

A moderated Q&A session allowed participants to pose questions to the speakers and facilitators, fostering a comprehensive discussion on various aspects of fisheries, journalism, and marine conservation.

During the role play

Each participant shared one key insight gained from the workshop and committed to a specific action. These ideas were recorded on a „pledge board“ to facilitate post-event follow-up and encourage continued engagement.

The workshop concluded with summarizing remarks from representatives of Mundus maris and Fish Party. Participants were invited to join a continuing online forum or resource hub to maintain the momentum and foster ongoing collaboration.

The World Ocean Day 2025 workshop was a resounding success, effectively combining theoretical knowledge with practical application through engaging activities.

The session on fisheries journalism empowered participants with valuable skills for effective communication, while the role-playing exercise provided a realistic simulation of the complexities involved in managing marine resources. The diverse participation underscored the collective commitment towards „Sustaining What Sustains Us,“ paving the way for more informed and collaborative efforts in marine conservation in Nigeria.