September, 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
2nd Global Conference on Large Marine
Ecosystems(LMEs): Qingdao, China,
11-13 September, 2007
Between 11 and 13 September, the Executive secreatry/
Regional Director, Prof. Chidi Ibe participated in the
2nd Global Conference on Large Marine Ecosystems
(LMEs) in Qingdao, China.
The Second LME Conference sought to examine the
scientific advances made in ecosystem assessment by
LME projects around the globe and gauge the progress
of the 16 GEF funded LME projects in achieving the
L-R: Dr. Chika Ukwe, Prof. Qisheng Tang and Prof. Chidi Ibe.
targets put forward at the 2002 World Summit for
Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg.
The presentations at the Conference addressed both
theoretical and practical aspects of the LME concepts
and how they are being implemented in selected
regions.
Prof Ibe show-cased the success story in the GCLME.
Within two years of implementing the expanded phase
involving 16 countries, an Interim Guinea Current
Commission has been established in Accra, Ghana. This
is the highest decision making body which comprise of
government ministers responsible for the marine and
coastal environment.
Panel discussion on future of Large MArine Ecosystem (LME)
As part of his presentation, Prof. Ibe gave the audience
a taste of a documentary on the GCLME titled "Africa
on the cutting edge - leading the Global Marine
Ecosystem Recovery". The documentary revealed the
problems confronting the continent with regard to the
marine and coastal environment, the commitment of
the people and their leaders, and the drive to address
the issues at all levels.
Beside Prof Ibe, other presentations from the GCLME
participants were made by Dr. Chika Ukwe, GCLME
Project Manager, Prof Jide Alo, Chairman of the TDA
and SAP Working Group and Dr. George Wiafe,
Coordinator of the Regional Marine Productivity and
Biodiversity Centre.
A view of the participants to the Conference

---

I G C C N e w s l e t t e r Page 2
September, 2007
Dr Ukwe reported on emerging projects on coastal
tourism, industrial and artisanal fisheries, and nutrient over-
enrichment in the LMEs. Such an integration is in line
with the ecosystem based approach for sustainable resource
utilization and management. Prof. Alo on his part
recounted the GCLME experience with ecosystem
valuation and the need to manage it sustainably for the
present and future generations, cognizant of its impact on
the social and political life of the people.
In his submission, Dr. Wiafe addressed the issue of climate
forcing and ecosystem impacts on the productivity of the
highly variable GCLME. He informed participants that
the current trend of increase in sea surface temperature
could significantly reduce abundance of zooplankton within
Prof. Chidi Ibe chairing a session.
the highly productive upwelling region with consequent
reduction in small pelagic fish stocks.
At a closing panel discussion to scope the future of the
LME concept, Dr. Wiafe submitted that great
achievements have been made over the past 17 years.
Most of the proponents of this idea have greatly advanced
in years. Great personalities like Dr. Ken Sherman, Prof.
Gotthilf Hempel, Prof. Chidi Ibe and Prof. Qisheng Tang
have successfully led this initiative, and the younger
generation must learn from these people and carry the
torch on to greater heights.
Co-organizers, Dr. Ken Sherman and Prof. Quisheng Tang.
Dr. Ken Sherman addressing audience during clos-
ing.
C o p y r i g h t , I G C C , 2 0 0 7

---

I G C C N e w s l e t t e r Page 3
September, 2007
2ND SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON
excellent and the Activity Center fully capable of running workshops
THE SHARED STOCK OF SARDINELLA
Gue
and when the equipment is finally in place should be able to handle
OF ANGOLA, CONGO, RDC AND
hands on training as well. An excellent brochure has now been
GABON: ANGOLA, 5 TO 7 SEPTEMBER
produced describing the work of the Activity Center.
2007.
Between 5 and 7 September, the 2nd sub-regional
Workshop on Management of the Shared Resources
of Sardinella between Angola, Congo, RD Congo
and Gabon, was held at the Conference hall of the
National Institute of Fisheries Resources of Angola.
The objectives the Workshop which was organized
by IGCC were to:
-
Assess the existing biomass, length frequency
and catch statistics from the four countries
-
Design a sub-regional sampling protocol at
the level of artisanal fisheries to compliment
the studies of reproductive pattern and
feeding behaviour and
-
Create a consultative organ at both scientific
The High Table at the Opening Ceremony. L-R: Dr. Bradford Brown,
and administrative levels for the management
US-NOAA (Consultant), Dr. Francisca Pires Delgado, Director Gen-
of the shared resources.
eral of the National Institute of Fisheries Research, Dr. Victória de
Barros Neto, Honourable Deputy Minister of Fisheries for Angola
The Workshop was officially opened by the
and Mr. N'Kosi Luyeye, Deputy DG of the Marine Research Insti-
Honourable Deputy Minister of Fisheries for Angola,
tute, Luanda.
Dr. Victória de Barros Neto in the company of the
General Director of the National Institute of
Fisheries Research, Dr. Francisca Pires Delgado.
The workshop was attended by two representatives
from Management and Fisheries sectors of each of
three countries of the sub-region, For Angola,
representatives from the fishing industry, Institute
of Artesanal Fishery and Development of
Aquaculture, Angolan National Bank and fisheries
research attended the workshop.
Dr. Brad Brown representing the Executive
Secretary of the IGCC presented the Workshop
documents prepared by Dr. Benedict Satia. He
pointed that the background papers were excellent
and should increase the understanding of regional
management in all its aspects in the region.
He also stressed the need for the leaders to plan a
Following presentations, two working groups were formed: one for man-
course of action to move to the next level where a
agement and one for research.
management plan can be proposed to ministerial
level decision makers and that process needs to begin
implementation of that process immediately.
Dr. Brown commended the logistical efforts of
Angola as superb and pointed that the Facility is
C o p y r i g h t , I G C C , 2 0 0 7

---

I G C C N e w s l e t t e r Page 4
Septembert, 2007
RE-ORIENTATION OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PORTFOLIO INTO
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES.
Between 24 - 26 September, the Administrative Officer,
Mr. Napoleon Gbolonyo represented the Executive
Secretary at a retreat organized by the Ghanaian
Ministry of Local Government, Rural development and
Environment, at Greenland Hotel, Swedru, Ghana.
The aim of the retreat was to re-orient the
Environmental Portfolio into Local Government
Programmes in Ghana as well as to develop strategies
Group photograph of participants with the Dep. Min. of
to achieve the following objectives under the Strategic
MLGRDE, Hon. Alhaji Awudu Yeremea (middle). To his left is
Plan of the Ministry of Local Government Rural
mr. rudolph Kuuzegh, Dir. Env. Sector. 3rd from left is dr. Stephen
Development and Environment:
Duah-Yentumi, Asst. Res. Rep. UNDP. Also in the picture is Mr.
Napoleon Gbolonyo, Admin. Officer, IGCC.
"
To intensify the application and enforcement of
safe and sound environmental practices.
SIGNING OF THE SAP DOCUMENT
"
To promote human development and sustain the
orderly and healthy growth of human settlement in
From 15 to 30 September, the Environment Scientist to IGCC,
Ghana.
Dr. Jacques Abe traveled to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea,
Participants in the retreat included: representatives
Sao Tome and Gabon to obtain Signatures of Ministers for the
from the Ministry of Local Government, Rural
SAP Document.
Development and Environment (MLGRDE); UNDP;
The Strategic Action Programme (SAP) was adopted by the
GEF/UNDP Small Grant Programme, Interim Guinea
participants to the High Level Meeting for The Finalisation
Current Commission (IGCC); Ministry of Agriculture;
and Adoption of The LBS/A Protocol to The Abidjan
Ministry of Health; Ministry of Finance and Economic
Convention and The Strategic Action Programme (SAP) that
Planning; Environmental Protection Agency;
was held from 25 - 26 June and 27 - 29 June 2007 respectively.
Department of Town and country Planning; Ministry of
Aviation; and Non Governmental Organizations.
The document was unanimously adopted after Dr. Emmanuel
Ajao, Consultant to IGCC had presented its Objectives,
The meeting was officially opened by the Deputy
Rationale and Priorities by taking the delegates through the
Minister of Ministry of Local Government, Rural
various chapters of the SAP:
Development and Environment, Alhaji Yusif Yeremiah
who stressed the importance of the Environment sector
1.
Basis for Cooperative Action
to the Local Government structure. Alhaji Yeremiah also
2.
Policy, Cross Cutting and Investment Actions
called for the strengthening of capacity of staff to be
properly integrated into the Local Government Ministry.
3.
National Action Plans
Presentations at the retreat included:
4.
Finance and Review (Total Investment Cost,
Sources of Funding, Public-Private Partnership,
"
Objectives of the retreat, definition of the
Financial Sustainability)
Environment and structure and role of the Environment
Sector.
5.
Monitoring & Implementation (IGCC, Success /
Performance Indicators)
"
Environmental Policies, Principles, Achievements
and Challenges.
6.
Arrangement for Future Cooperation
"
Orienting the Environmental Portfolio into Local
It was then agreed that the SAP will be forwarded to the
Government Programmes.
Council of Minsters for endorsement and signature. Dr. Abe
is presently on mission to the GCLME countries obtain
signature of responsible Ministers.
Edited by : K e l e c h i I h e m e j e Layout by : J o s h u a O k e c h u k u N d u b u i s i

---