https://www.ajol.info/index.php/wiojms <p>The <em>Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science </em>(WIOJMS) provides an avenue for the wide dissemination of high quality research generated in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, in particular on the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. The journal publishes original research articles dealing with all aspects of marine science and coastal management. Topics include, but are not limited to: theoretical studies, oceanography, marine biology and ecology, fisheries, recovery and restoration processes, legal and institutional frameworks, and interactions/relationships between humans and the coastal and marine environment. In addition, <em>Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science </em>features state-of-the-art review articles and short communications. The journal will, from time to time, consist of special issues on major events or important thematic issues. Submitted articles are subjected to standard peer-review prior to publication.</p> <p>Journal abbreviation: WIO J. Mar. Sci.</p> <p>Other websites associated with this journal: <a href="https://www.wiomsa.org/publications-2/wio-journal-of-marine-science/">https://www.wiomsa.org/publications-2/wio-journal-of-marine-science/</a></p> Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) en-US Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 0856-860X <p>Copyright is owned by the journal. The articles are open access articles distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">licence</a>.</p> https://www.ajol.info/index.php/wiojms/article/view/276405 <div class="page" title="Page 1"> <div class="layoutArea"> <div class="column"> <p>There has been little research on heavy metals and aflatoxins in Tanzanian seaweeds. Concentra- tions of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), total mercury (THg), and methyl mercury (MeHg) were meas- ured in cottonii (Kappaphycus alvarezii) and spinosum (Eucheuma denticilatum) seaweeds from Tanzania. Seaweeds were collected in February 2024 from Tanga, Pwani, and North Unguja. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to assess Cd and Pb, a direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) was used to analyze THg and MeHg, and high-perfor- mance liquid chromatography was used to determine anti-aflatoxigenic activity. Heavy metal concentrations were highest for Cd, followed by Hg, Pb and MeHg, and varied significantly (p&lt;0.05) between species and sampling locations. The concentrations of Cd, Pb, and MeHg were below safety thresholds set by the European Union and Codex Standard, while THg concentra- tions exceeded Codex limits but were within European Union limits, and can therefore safely be consumed. Aflatoxins were not detected in the seaweed samples. Further research on heavy metal concentrations and moisture stability in Tanzanian seaweeds is recommended, over a period of at least a year.</p> </div> </div> </div> Lilian D Kaale Sarah F Maro Copyright (c) 2025 Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 2025-03-14 2025-03-14 24 1 1 9 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/wiojms/article/view/278900 <p><em>Asparagopsis taxiformis</em> macroalgae can potentially reduce methane emissions when fed to ruminants, thus reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Literature indicates water temperatures above 24 °C limit <em>A. taxiformes</em> growth rates during culture, however, it grows wild in Seychelles where water temperatures range from 25 to 31.5 °C. The feasibility of cultivating the local strain of<em> A. taxiformis</em> in Seychelles was investigated, focusing on growth rates at higher temperatures and bromoform content, the compound responsible for methane reduction. Two tetrasporophyte growth trials were conducted in photobioreactors at 24 °C, 26 °C, 29 °C and 32 °C. In the first trial, unacclimated specimens showed poor growth, with no significant differences between temperatures. In the second trial, daily growth rates of acclimated specimens were 3.98 % across all temperatures, including 32 °C, where temperature did not significantly affect growth. Bromoform concentrations were lower than expected, likely due to storage conditions prior to sample processing. The local strain of <em>A. taxiformis</em> in Seychelles may therefore be adapted to higher temperatures, with potential for aquaculture. Further research to optimize cultivation techniques and ensure adequate bromoform content is required.</p> Bas de Vos Shamira Payet Maria Rose Danila Adonis Zachary Morin Devis Monthy Lawerence Grant Mookho Lerata Denzil Beukes Aubrey Lesperance Copyright (c) 2025 Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 2025-03-26 2025-03-26 24 1 11 18