The GMES and Africa Marine and Coastal Operations (MarCOSIO) project (https://marcosio.org/) is the result of collaborative partnerships (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), ABALOBI, Benguela Current Convention, Coastal Oceans Research and Development Indian Ocean – East Africa, Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines, University of Dar es Salaam – Institute for Marine Science, Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mauritius Oceanography Institute, National Sea Rescue Institute, National Sea Rescue Institute, Tanzania Fisheries and Research Institute, University of Eduardo Mondlane, West Indian Ocean Marine Science Association). MarCOSIO is funded through the African Union’s GMES and Africa programme and forms part of its Marine and Coastal Operations thematic area.