The United Nations Environment Programme (Nairobi Convention Secretariat) has commissioned the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR) at the Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, South Africa to develop a regional Marine Spatial Planning Strategy for the WIO region. The plan aims to harmonize and align MSP practices at a national and regional level for sustainable management of the Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) through the implementation of the WIO LME Strategic Action Programmes (SAPs).