July, 2007
Edition
h t t p : / / w w w . g c l m e . o r go r g
ANGOLA - BENIN - CAMEROON - CONGO - CÔTE D'IVOIRE - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - EQUATORIAL GUINEA - GABON - GHANA - GUINEA - GUINEA BISSAU - LIBERIA - NIGERIA - SAO TOME & PRINCIPE - SIERRA LEONE - TOGO
Global Environment Facility 4th Biennial International Waters Conference, Cape Town
International Convention Centre: July 31 - August 3, 2007
Between 31 July and 3 August, the IGCC Executive Secretary and
GCLME Regional Director, Prof. Chidi Ibe participated in the
4th Biennial International Waters Conference which took place in
Cape Town, South Africa.
A highlight of the Conference was an Award Ceremony organized
on the final day in Plenary Session by the emerging African LME
Alliance (ALMEA) to honour and thank Dr. Ken Sherman for his
invaluable contributions to sustainable development on the African
Continent.
The purpose of the Conference which was organised by the Global
Presentation of Appreciation Award to Dr. Ken
Environment Facility (GEF) was to bring executors of Global
Sherman by the African LME Alliance
Environment Facility (GEF) projects in International Waters (IW)
together to share experiences and innovative practices, promote
learning and capacity building, develop strategies to enhance
stakeholder collaboration, and encourage GEF IW projects to apply
evolving GEF policies and procedures during implementation. The
focal areas were Groundwater, Lake Basins, River Basins, Coral
Reefs, Coastal and Marine Projects (including LMEs), Contaminant-
Based, and Learning-Based.
An Innovation Marketplace Exhibition Center was mounted for
stakeholders to showcase their activities. The IGCC mounted an
exhibition on its activities during the expanded phase. This was in
the form of large sized posters (1.2m x 2.0m). Twelve posters
Recognition of Scholarship and Leadership - Dr.
were exhibited and they covered the following Subject Areas:
Sherman in a pose with Prof Ibe and Dr. Ukwe
following the Recognition Award Ceremony
1. The IGCC
2. Adoption of the Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) concept
3. Transboundary concerns
4. Regional demonstration projects
5. National demonstration projects
6. Integrated coastal areas and river basin management
7. Productivity assessment
8. Information management and decision support systems
GEF's Dr. Al Duda, Prof. Ibe and Conference
Reporter in a chat at the GCLME booth

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I G C C N e w s l e t t e r Page 2
July, 2007
9. Recovery and sustainability of fish and
IGCC Regional Center for Marine
living marine resources
Productivity & Biodiversity
10. Pollution and ecosystem health
11. Socio-economics and valuation of ecosystem
The IGCC has established a Regional Center for Marine
goods and services
Productivity and Biodiversity at the Department of
Oceanography and Fisheries, University of Ghana, Accra under a
12. Future Perspectives
MOU with the University of Ghana, Legon.
The Center will contribute to the sustainable exploitation of living
The posters were displayed and visitors to the booth
marine resources.
were given insight to activities of the GCLME
Project of the IGCC. The achievements and
innovations of the Project were also highlighted.
Assisted by Prof. Kwesi Yankah (middle), Pro-Vice Chancellor of
the University of Ghana, Mr. Abraham Odoom, Deputy Minister,
MLGRDE and Hon. Daniel Dugan, Dep. Min., Fisheries unveil-
ing a plague to mark the commissioning of the Center. Behind
from left are: Dr. Jacques Abe of IGCC and Mr. Armah. Head of
Dept. of Oceanography and Fisheris, University of Ghana.
L-R : Dr. Etienne Massard Makagah, Director General
of Environment and GCLME National Director, Gabon,
According to the Head, Department of Oceanography and
Mr. Chukwudi Anyanwu, PTC/ECB/WMU, UNIDO,
Fisheries, Mr. A. K. Armah, the acceptance by his Department
Vienna, and Prof. Chidi Ibe before the IGCC exhibition
to host the Center of excellence has placed a challenge on them
booth.
to lead the sub-region to excel to world standards.
Dr. George Wiafe, Senior Lecturer and Planktonologist has been
designated Coordinator of the Center
L-R : Mr. Abraham Odoom, Hon. Daniel Dugan and Prof.
'Job well done'. Dr. Ken Sherman congratulating Prof.
Kwesi Yankah cutting the ribbon. L-R behind are Prof. F.K.
Ibe on the IGCC Exhibit
Rodrigues , Dr. Jacques Abé, Mr. A. K. Armah and N. Gbolonyo.
C o p y r i g h t , I G C C , 2 0 0 7

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I G C C N e w s l e t t e r Page 3
July, 2007
EXPANDING COLLABORATION
WITH THE ERDC OF THE US
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
July 2007 kicked off with the mission of the Executive
Secretary of IGCC, Prof. Chidi Ibe and a delegation of
US Army Corps Engineers made up of Dr. Robert
Kennedy, Dr. Steve Grant and Dr. Leonard Kotkiewicz
to Lagos and Abuja Nigeria The purpose of their mission
which took place from from 2 to 4 July was to meet with
the Director General of National Oil Spill Detection and
Response Agency (NOSDRA) on Regional Emergency
Dr. Robert Kennedy (USACE) Presenting souvenirs
Preparedness,the Director, Erosion, Flood Control and
to Dr. Peter Nwilo and Prof. Babajide Alo (UNILAG)
Coastal Zone Management of the Federal Ministry of
Environment and Housing on flood disaster management,
and to visit the Environmental Information Management
System (EIMS) Center in Lagos for discussions on data
management as part of the expanding collaboration
between the USACE and the IGCC.
The USACE, through their Engineer Research
Development Center in London, proposes to assist
institutions in the GCLME Region to deal with both
natural and man-made hazards through capacity building
initiatives. It is hoped that with time, this would include
material assistance.
On 4 July, the delegation visited the EIMS Center and
extended their visit to the office of the Vice-Chancellor
of the University of Lagos, Prof. Tolu Olukayode
Odugbemi who received them warmly. He thanked
Cross Section of Audience at the lecture
UNIDO and the Executive Secretary for locating the
Center at the University of Lagos. He welcomed the
USACE delegation to the University and hoped that the
visit would mark the consolidation of a fruitful cooperation
between USACE and the University.
At the EIMS Center, the delegation was escorted round
the facilities. Following a 20-minute lecture on the
activities of the Center by the Coordinator, Dr. Peter
Nwilo,Dr Kennedy of the USACE presented the activities
of the USACE Engineer Research and Development
Centre.
The delegation found the activities and facilities of the
Center highly impressive and pledged to collaborate with
and support the Center and its activities.
The Executive Secretary of IGCC thanked the University
of Lagos for her continued support to the Center.
Group Picture of the Delegation and EIMS Staff
C o p y r i g h t , I G C C , 2 0 0 7

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I G C C N e w s l e t t e r Page 4
July, 2007
(Sardinella aurita and Sardinella maderensis), a shared
BRIEF ON THE 3RD LEG OF
resource off Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo
2007 GCLME/FAO/IMR SURVEY
and Angola. The Survey continued in Angolan waters.
IN THE GULF OF GUINEA
The 3rd leg of the 2007 GCLME/FAO/IMR Survey
in the Gulf of Guinea was executed using the
Norwegian Research Vessel, Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, from
25th June - 6th July 2007 and covered the waters
between Gabon and Republic of Congo. The
Norwegian Cruise Leader was Jens Otto Krakstad
while the Regional Cruise Leader was Jean Gabriel
Goussilou from Gabon.
A total of 8 regional scientists from Gabon, Equatorial
Guinea, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of
Congo and Angola participated in the research cruise.
The Regional Scientists embarked the research vessel
A length measurement of selected fish species on
board the R.V. Fridtjof Nansen
on 25th June 2007 at Port Gentil, Gabon and
disembarked on 6th July 2007 at Pointe Noire, Congo.
Other Major Events
A pre-survey meeting was held between the regional
scientists and the Norwegian scientists on board the
vessel on 25th June 2007 to discuss sampling protocol
·
and also either confirm or amend the survey objectives.
The Environment Expert, Dr. Jacques Abé
undertook a mission (1-4, july, 2007) to Nairobi to
participate in Consultative Forum of LME Projects
and the joint Bureau of the Abidjan and Nairobi
Conventions in preparation of the Conference of
Parties in South Africa (5-8 November, 2007). The
IGCC Consultant, Dr. Emmanuel Ajao made a
presentation focused on strategies to improve on a
few critical issues like; visibility of the Convention,
the importance of the nodal structure, collaboration
and cooperation among LMEs and sustainable
financing mechanisms.
·
From July 8-12, The Executive Secretary was on
mission to Paris, France to participate in IOC-
The Regional Scientists sorting fishes for length,
IUCN-NOAA-UNEP Large Marine Ecosystem 9th
width and other biological measurements.
Consultative Committee Meeting.
The survey objectives and sampling protocols for
·
From 16 - 20 July, the Environment Expert, Dr.
fisheries, benthos and plankton were the same as in
Abe went on mission to Libreville, Gabon to meet
the 1st and 2nd legs except that the CPR was not
with Govt. officials in connection with preparations
deployed during the 1st and 3rd leg. In addition
for the next IGCC Ministerial Meeting. He also
sampling intensity for small pelagic resources was
met with the Vice-Prime Minister, in charge of
higher during the 3rd leg than the other legs.
Environment who confirmed their commitment
to the organization of the Second Meeting of
This was to ascertain and/or otherwise the hypothesis
Ministers in Libreville, Gabon scheduled for
that southern part of Gabon and Congo are the
November, 2007 and now postponed to end
spawning/breeding grounds of the Sardinellas species
January/early February, 2008.
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