Two SPGA staff earn WIO-COMPAS MPA pro certification |22 July 2023
Demien Mougal (left) & Anto Suzette
In a thrilling display of skill and dedication, the Western Indian Ocean Certification of Marine Protected Area Professionals (WIO-COMPAS) programme recently unfolded in the Seychelles between May 2 and 7.
Being an active member of the WIOMSA (Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association) network, the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) was proudly represented in the certification event with two candidates, namely Anto Suzette, manager of the Curieuse Marine National Park and Demien Mougal, assistant park officer of the Ste Anne Marine National Park.
Following the week-long event encompassing various practical and written tests, as well as presentations, both candidates successfully earned their certification, joining three other Seychellois having such credentials.
The programme and content of the certification featured examinations designed to evaluate the candidates’ knowledge and experience in seven competency areas of marine protected area management.
These are the Marine Protected Area (MPA) governance, marine conservation, communications and stakeholder engagement, human and financial resources mobilisation and management, management implementation and effectiveness, biophysical and socio-economic context, leadership, ethics and innovation.
Expressing his appreciation for benefiting from the opportunity, Demien expressed that “this transformative journey allowed me to discover my weaknesses as an MPA professional and therefore allowed me to also embark on a path of growth and improvement. The programme presented me with a unique opportunity to hone my new and existing skills”.
For his part, Anto stated that “I eagerly seized the chance to participate in this programme. I believe that such certification and experience will allow me to apply what I have learnt into my everyday duties, and that it will have a significant impact on the marine management efforts of the Curieuse Marine Park where I am based”.
The accomplishments of these two candidates reinforce their commitment, as well as that of the SPGA, in enhancing the capacity of staff who are entrusted with safeguarding marine ecosystems, and further serves as an inspiration to other MPA professionals. With their newly acquired certifications, SPGA management sends its best wishes to the pair and only expects that their experience earned will now be translated into their duties and responsibilities within their respective marine parks.
The certification event welcomed MPA professionals from the neighbouring Western Indian Ocean nations of South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and Reunion Island, consisting of 8 assessors and 16 participants who qualified for Level 1 or Level 2.
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