Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) is a regional professional, non-governmental, non-profit, membership organization, registered in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The organization is dedicated to promoting the educational, scientific and technological development of all aspects of marine sciences throughout the region of Western Indian Ocean (Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion(France)), with a view toward sustaining the use and conservation of its marine resources. The Association has about 1000 individual members as well as about 50 institutional members from within and outside the region. The organization's inter-disciplinary membership consists of marine scientists, coastal practitioners, and institutions involved in the advancement of marine science research and development. The Association: (1) provides a forum for communication and exchange of information amongst it members that promotes and fosters inter-institutional linkages within and beyond the region; (2) supports marine research by offering research grants; (3) implements programs to build the capacity of marine scientists and coastal management practitioners; and (4) works to promote policy dialogue on key topics by organizing meetings and seminars on the findings and policy implications of science. WIOMSA promotes marine science research through the award of research grants under the (MASMA) and the (MARG) programmes.