News & Reports
Stay updated with our latest work, publications, and impact in marine conservation
MMS Joins Expertise France on SWIOP 3 to Advance Marine Conservation Across the Western Indian Ocean
Marine Market Systems is proud to announce a new consultancy engagement supporting the EU's Sustainable Western Indian Ocean Programme (SWIOP 3), implemented by Expertise France. The programme spans nine countries across the Western Indian Ocean, with priority action in three critical seascapes: Tanga–Pemba–Mombasa, the Primeiras and Segundas Islands in Mozambique, and the Saya de Malha Bank spanning Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles. MMS is contributing technical expertise across marine spatial planning, Nature-Based Solutions, marine science, and policy — including developing Terms of Reference that will guide calls for proposals and technical assistance for civil society and research partners working on the ground. The engagement builds on field missions to Kenya and Mozambique and connects to regional initiatives including WIO-COMPASS and the Great Blue Wall Initiative.
Dr. Austin Humphries Appointed President of Marine Market Systems
Marine Market Systems (MMS) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Austin Humphries as its new President, effective November 2025. Dr. Humphries, a distinguished marine scientist with over 15 years of international experience, will lead MMS in its mission to accelerate ocean science and conservation action globally. Dr. Humphries holds a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from Rhodes University (South Africa) and has dedicated his career to understanding and fostering sustainable interactions between people and marine ecosystems. His extensive research focuses on sustainable fisheries management, coastal community resilience, and marine resource governance. He integrates rigorous ecological data with social and economic analysis to develop evidence-based solutions for complex marine challenges, particularly in the Western Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. Prior to joining MMS, Dr. Humphries's work has significantly informed policy and practice for governments, NGOs, and local communities. His research explores critical themes such as small-scale fisheries' socio-economic dynamics, gender roles in fishing communities, and effective market access strategies. He is a leading voice in marine resource governance, contributing to the understanding of co-management systems and customary marine tenure. Dr. Humphries's scholarship includes numerous peer-reviewed publications on fisheries science, marine conservation, and coastal livelihoods. His work has appeared in leading journals and has been cited extensively by researchers and policymakers worldwide. Notable contributions include regional syntheses on small-scale fisheries in the Western Indian Ocean, assessments of ecosystem-based fisheries management approaches, and analyses of gender dimensions in artisanal fishing communities. These publications have been pivotal in bridging science-policy gaps and informing evidence-based marine resource management. 'I am incredibly excited to join Marine Market Systems and contribute to its innovative approach,' said Dr. Humphries. 'MMS's commitment to nature-positive market solutions and empowering coastal communities aligns perfectly with my life's work. I look forward to leading a team that translates cutting-edge science into tangible, equitable, and scalable conservation outcomes.' Under Dr. Humphries's leadership, MMS will continue to expand its global reach, strengthening capacity, piloting real-world solutions, mobilizing finance, and providing robust data and communication to ensure a thriving blue future for oceans, people, and the planet. His expertise in fisheries science, community-based management, and policy engagement will be instrumental in advancing MMS's strategic priorities and deepening its impact across Africa, Asia, and beyond.
MMS Selected to Support FCDO COAST Facility in Evaluating Marine Conservation Proposals
Marine Market Systems (MMS) is proud to announce its selection to provide comprehensive technical assistance to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) COAST Facility—a pioneering initiative working to revolutionize coastal and marine ecosystem management across Southeast Asia and Africa. The COAST Facility's vision is ambitious and transformative: to revolutionize coastal and marine ecosystem management through a pioneering approach that uniquely combines local community empowerment with national reform and global advocacy. MMS's role is to help ensure that funded projects align with and advance this vision through rigorous technical evaluation and strategic guidance. MMS was selected for this critical partnership based on the exceptional expertise of its leadership team. Nathan Sage, Vice President of MMS, and Dr. Austin Humphries, President of MMS, bring decades of combined experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating marine and coastal conservation projects across multiple continents. Their deep understanding of community-based marine management, ecosystem-based approaches, and the intersection of conservation science with policy makes them uniquely qualified to support COAST's ambitious goals. 'We are honored to support the COAST Facility in its mission to transform how coastal and marine ecosystems are managed,' said Nathan Sage. 'This partnership allows us to leverage our collective experience to ensure that COAST-funded projects deliver meaningful conservation outcomes while empowering local communities and driving systemic reform.' Through this partnership, MMS will provide technical review and evaluation of marine conservation proposals across all COAST focus geographies, including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Mozambique. The team will assess proposal quality, technical soundness, and alignment with COAST's vision, ensuring that selected projects integrate local community empowerment, support national policy reform, and contribute to global advocacy for marine conservation. Dr. Austin Humphries added, 'The COAST Facility represents a new model for marine conservation—one that recognizes that lasting change requires action at multiple scales, from empowering fishing communities to influencing national policy and global discourse. We're excited to help identify and support projects that embody this integrated approach.' MMS's support will also include capacity building for local implementing organizations, strategic guidance on program design and intervention logic, quality assurance for FCDO compliance, and cross-geography knowledge exchange to ensure learning is shared across the three continents where COAST operates. This partnership reinforces MMS's commitment to accelerating ocean science and conservation action through strategic partnerships that bridge rigorous technical expertise with on-the-ground implementation. By supporting the COAST Facility, MMS is helping to advance a new paradigm for marine conservation—one that places communities at the center while driving the policy reforms and global advocacy needed for systemic change.
Introducing Oceanscape PM: Streamlining Marine Project Management
Marine Market Systems (MMS) is proud to announce the launch of Oceanscape PM, a cutting-edge project management system designed specifically for small and medium-sized international development organizations working with donor grants and contracts. Oceanscape PM streamlines the entire project lifecycle, from planning and execution to financial tracking, monitoring & evaluation (M&E), and stakeholder engagement. With features like centralized project dashboards, real-time financial tracking, integrated work planning with Gantt charts, collaborative workflows, and modular operational tools for recruiting and approvals, Oceanscape PM empowers teams to achieve impactful results efficiently and compliantly. This innovative tool reinforces MMS's commitment to supporting effective and transparent marine conservation and development initiatives worldwide. Get in touch for a demo and licensing options!
Marine Market Assessment: Driving $100M Investment into Mozambique
The Mozambique Marine and Coastal Resources Market Assessment represents a milestone in understanding and unlocking the potential of Mozambique's blue economy. Commissioned by USAID, this comprehensive study provides actionable insights into marine resource management, coastal livelihoods, and sustainable investment opportunities. The assessment has guided over $100M in marine-focused investments and continues to serve as the foundational document for blue economy planning in Mozambique.
World Ocean's Day 2021: Virtual Underwater Exhibition Launches
In celebration of World Ocean's Day 2021, Marine Market Systems created a groundbreaking virtual underwater exhibition that brought Mozambique's incredible marine biodiversity to global audiences. This innovative digital experience combined stunning underwater photography by Ashok Menon with educational content about marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and the importance of protecting ocean ecosystems. The exhibition was developed in partnership with the UN World Oceans Day initiative, Mozambique's Ministry of Fisheries, ANAC (National Administration for Conservation Areas), BioFund (Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity), and key marine conservation NGOs including the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Centro Terra Viva (CTV), and WWF. By bringing together government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities, this collaborative project demonstrated the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in advancing marine conservation and raising global awareness about ocean issues.
Oceans Bring us Together: Underwater Exhibition in Mozambique
This groundbreaking exhibition brought Mozambique's underwater world to life through large-format photography, interactive displays, and educational content. Visitors experienced the vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine species, and coastal ecosystems that make Mozambique one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions. The exhibition reached thousands of visitors and raised awareness about the importance of marine conservation while celebrating the natural heritage that connects coastal communities.
Diving Ponta: Comprehensive Dive and Photo Guide Published
Diving Ponta is the definitive guide to diving in southern Mozambique's most spectacular dive sites. This beautifully illustrated book features detailed dive site descriptions, marine life identification guides, and stunning underwater photography. From manta rays and whale sharks to colorful reef fish and macro critters, the guide showcases the incredible biodiversity found in these pristine waters. Now available on Amazon, this book has become an essential resource for divers, photographers, and marine enthusiasts exploring Mozambique's coast.