Marine Heatwave Response Management Workshop, March 28, 2025

Participatory workshop · March 2025

First collective intelligence workshop on managing marine heatwaves in New Caledonia

On 28 March 2025, IRD in Nouméa hosted the first collective intelligence workshop as part of the MaHeWa project, focused on managing marine heatwaves in New Caledonia. The primary goal of the day was to address two key questions: what should be done when an imminent marine heatwave is announced? and what are the priority themes to incorporate into a collective strategy? More specifically, the workshop aimed to inform stakeholders about marine heatwaves and their impacts, identify actions to implement, determine barriers and levers for intervention, and co-develop a management unit and a tailored communication plan.

Gathering around thirty participants from diverse backgrounds — scientists, institutional representatives, civil society actors, fishing professionals, associations, and customary authorities — this day laid the foundation for a coordinated response to this pressing environmental phenomenon.

The morning began with the presentation of a realistic scenario in the form of a video simulating an alert bulletin announcing an imminent marine heatwave. Participants then reflected individually on the concrete impacts of this announcement on their work and daily lives, with one idea per sticky note. These ideas were grouped by similarity, resulting in six priority themes: Communication; Research-Aquaculture; Actions to Preserve; Actions to Understand; Restore, Transfer, and Share Results; and Health, Leisure, Tourism.

Brainstorming of ideas. Photo credit: J-M Boré

Group work. Photo credit: J-M Boré

Example of a thematic action sheet. Photo credit: J-M Boré

The afternoon focused on the co-construction of a management unit and a communication plan. Participants divided into subgroups to work either on establishing the unit (roles, responsibilities, organisational structure) or on communication methods (tools, channels, timelines), building on the action sheets produced in the morning.

This day showcased the richness of a participatory approach. By bringing together scientific expertise, local knowledge, and operational skills, the MaHeWa workshop laid the groundwork for a collective strategy to tackle the challenges of marine heatwaves in New Caledonia.