Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
TABLE OF CONTENT
TABLE OF CONTENT..........................................................................ii
ACRONYMS .................................................................................... iii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...................................................................... v
AGREEMENT ................................................................................. viii
1
THE CHALLENGE ................................................................. 1
1.1
Sustainable Integrated Management of the Guinea Current
Large Marine Ecosystem .............................................. 1
2
THE RATIONALE FOR COOPERATIVE ACTION........................... 6
2.1
Applicable Principles: ................................................... 6
2.2
Institutional Arrangement ............................................ 7
2.3
Legal Framework ........................................................ 9
2.4
Linkages, Collaboration and Expanded Cooperation .......... 9
3
POLICY, CROSS CUTTING AND INVESTMENT RELATED ACTIONS
.......................................................................................11
3.1
Policy Actions ........................................................... 11
3.1.1
Management and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Living Resources ........ 11
3.1.2 Management
of
Minerals and Extractive Resources ..................................... 14
3.1.3
Effective Assessment of Environmental Variability, Ecosystem Impacts and
Development of Early Warning System for Ecosystem Change................... 16
3.1.4
Assessment, reduction and control of pollution ............................................ 18
3.1.5
Maintenance of ecosystem health and protection of biodiversity. ................ 20
3.2
Cross Cutting Issues ............................................... 22
3.2.1
Capacity building and institutional strengthening......................................... 22
3.2.2 Stakeholder
participation............................................................................... 23
3.2.3 Public
participation ....................................................................................... 23
3.2.4 Communication,
Information, Education and Awareness............................. 24
3.3
Investment Actions ................................................... 24
3.3.1 Achieve
sustainable
fisheries ........................................................................ 25
3.3.2
High quality water to sustain balanced ecosystem ........................................ 26
3.3.3
Balanced habitats for sustainable ecology and environment......................... 26
4
NATIONAL ACTION PLANS ...................................................28
5
FINANCE AND REVIEW........................................................29
5.1
Financing the Strategic Action Programme for the Next Five
Years ...................................................................... 29
6
ARRANGEMENT FOR FUTURE CO-OPERATION .........................32
ANNEXES ......................................................................................33
ANNEX I:
THE STRUCTURE OF THE INTERIM GUINEA CURRENT
COMMISSION ........................................................... 33
ANNEX II : RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE INTERIM GUINEA CURRENT
COMMISSION ........................................................... 35
ANNEX III : MEASURABLE AND QUANTIFIABLE INDICATORS FOR THE
GCLME .................................................................... 36
ANNEX IV : MAJOR ISSUES, TARGETS, AND INTERVENTIONS........... 38
ANNEX V: PRIORITY ACTIONS WITHIN EACH CATEGORY OF
INTERVENTION......................................................... 48
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................53
Table of Content
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Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
ACRONYMS
AfDB African
Development
Bank
AU (STRC)
African Union (Scientific, Technical and Research Commission)
BOD Biological
Oxygen
Demand
BEP/BATs
Best Environmental Practice/Best Available Technologies
CBOs Community
Based
Organizations
CCRF
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
CECAF East
and
Central Africa Fisheries Commission
CIA
Central Intelligence Agency
COD
Chemical Oxygen Demand
COMIFAC Conference
of
Ministers in charge of the Forests in Central Africa
COMHAFAT Ministerial
Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African States
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean
COP Conference
of
Parties
COREP
Regional Fisheries Committee for the Gulf of Guinea
CSRP
Comité Sous Régional de Pêche
EEZ
Exclusive Economic Zone
EIA
Environmental Impact Assessment
ENSO
El Nino Southern Oscillation
EQO Environmental
Quality
Objectives
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GCC Guinea
Current
Commission
GCLME
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem
GEF
Global Environment Facility
GEOSS
Global Earth Observing System of Systems
GIRMaC
Programme for Integrated Management of Marine and Coastal
Resources (Programme de Gestion Intégrée des Ressources Marines et
Côtières)
GIS
Geographic Information System
GloBallast Global
Ballast
Water Management Programme
GOOS
Global Ocean Observing System
GOG-LME
Gulf of Guinea Large Marine Ecosystem
GPA
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine
Environment from Land-based Activities
HAB
Harmful Algal Bloom
HACCP Hazard
Analysis
Critical Control Point
ICAM Integrated
Coastal Areas Management
ICCAT
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna
ICTZ Intertropical
Convergence Zone
IGCC
Interim Guinea Current Commission
IOC Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission (of UNESCO)
IMO
International Maritime Organization
IPIECA International
Petroleum
Industry Environmental Conservation
Association
IPCC Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change
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JPOI
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
LBAs Land-based
Activities
LME
Large Marine Ecosystem
MARPOL
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
(MARPOL Convention 73/78)
MPAs Marine
Protected Areas
MPPI Major
Perceived
Problems and Issues
NAPs
National Action Plans
NPA
National Programme of Action
NEPAD
New Partnership for Africa's Development
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations
ODINAFRICA
Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa
OPRC
International Convention on Oil Pollution, Preparedness and Co-
operation
PADH Physical
Alteration
and Destruction of Habitats
PDF
Project Development Fund
POPs
Persistent Organic Pollutants
PRCM
Regional Programme for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine
Zones of West Africa
PSC
Project Steering Committee
RCU
Regional Coordinating Unit
RPA
Regional Programme of Action
SAP
Strategic Action Programme
TDA
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
UN United
Nations
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
UNESCO
United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization
UNIDO
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
US-NOAA
United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
WACAF West
and
Central Africa
WSEMS
Waste Stock Exchange Management System
WSSD
World Summit on Sustainable Development
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Guinea Current Large Marine
Ecosystem (GCLME) is a negotiated policy document under the aegis of the IGCC
(later GCC) which describes policy, legal and institutional reforms and investments
needed to address the priority problems of a transboundary nature identified in the
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) of the GCLME Region. Within the
context of the TDA, transboundary environmental issues include national/regional
issues with transboundary causes/sources, transboundary issues with national
causes/sources, national issues that are common to at least two of the countries and
which require a common strategy and collective actions to address, and issues that
have transboundary elements and implications. The document outlines the
intervention actions required to resolve these priority problems.
The preparation of the SAP has been a cooperative process among the participating
countries. Endorsed by Member Countries, the SAP re-affirms regional joint
commitment to the integrated management, protection and use of the resources of the
GCLME linked estuaries and littoral areas and their sustainable development by the
people of Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'ivoire, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria,
Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone and Togo.
The GCLME is a shared resource that is one of the world's most productive marine
areas with rich fishery resources, oil and gas reserves, precious minerals, a high
potential for coastal tourism and is an important global reservoir of marine biological
diversity which make a major contribution to livelihoods, and a veritable source of
goods and services for economic growth. Most of the coastal wetlands provide unique
ecological conditions and habitats for migratory birds which over-winter annually in
West Africa. The extensive mangrove forests are also biologically and socio-
economically significant in providing fuel wood, timber, and medicinal plants and
serve as a sanctuary for the spawning and breeding of many transboundary fish and
shrimp species.
Approximately 40 percent of the region's 300 million people (more than half of the
population of the African continent) live in the coastal areas, and are dependent on the
lagoons, estuaries, creeks, and inshore waters surrounding them for their sustenance
and general well being. Rivers and lagoons serve as important waterways for the
transportation of goods and people. They are also important sources of industrial raw
materials and animal protein in the form of fish and shellfish. Similar to conditions in
the rest of the world, many of the region's poor are crowded in the coastal areas and
are engaged in subsistence socio-economic activities. In spite of improvements in
economic growth widespread poverty persists due in part to environmental linkages
and socio-political issues.
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The rapid population growth in the coastal areas have resulted in disruptions of social
values and culture, socio-economic dislocations and conflicts in addition to serious
environmental degradation. It is recognized that several decades of over-exploitation
of resources and habitat degradation in the Guinea Current Ecosystem have left a
legacy of fragmented and sectorally based management due in part to a history of
colonial rule. This has resulted in an absence of coordinated planning and integration,
poor legal framework, weak enforcement and implementation of existing regulatory
instruments, inadequate public involvement, varied regional capacity development
and poor financial mechanisms of support.
The real challenge is to develop systems and structures to address the naturally
highly-variable and potentially fragile nature of the GCLME and its coastal
environment to reverse declines of fish stocks and non-optimal harvesting of living
resources; loss of ecosystem integrity arising from changes in community
composition; threats to vulnerable species and biodiversity; introduction of invasive
alien species; deterioration in water quality from land and sea-based activities;
harmful algal blooms; habitat destruction and alteration, including modification of sea
bed and coastal areas, coastline degradation and erosion. Though having different
socio-economic conditions and being on different development paths, the countries
recognize the transboundary nature of these threats to their economic well being and
the imperative of addressing them through cooperative assessments and joint actions.
The regional transboundary environmental problems have implications, which can be
mitigated through cooperative regional actions to manage the complex ecosystem on
an integrated and sustainable basis.
The SAP shall employ a holistic ecosystem-based approach for the integrated
assessment, monitoring and adaptive management of coastal and marine resources,
and to managing human activities in these systems within a framework of sustainable
development. The applicability of principles such as the precautionary approach,
regional contingency planning, environmental impact assessment, integrated coastal
areas management, strategic environmental assessment (involving the conservation of
living resources and biodiversity, establishment of a network of marine protected
areas, the transboundary assessment of the environmental consequences of
government programmes, policies and plans), cleaner technologies, use of multilateral
economic and policy instruments, active public and stakeholder participation,
accountability and transparency are indicated in the collaborative approach for
resource sustainability and ultimately self-financing management regime.
The Legal, and institutional reforms and investments needed to address the priorities
in the SAP are outlined in the strategies for sustainable utilization of marine living
resources; minerals and extractive resources; effective assessment of environmental
variability, ecosystem impacts and development of early warning system for
ecosystem change; assessment, reduction and control of pollution; maintenance of
ecosystem health and protection of biodiversity; and the cross-cutting issues(e.g.
capacity building and institutional strengthening, public and stakeholder participation,
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communication, information, education and awareness) including investment actions.
In addition, each member country will prepare a National Action Plan (NAP) which
will form an integral part of this SAP. Each NAP shall identify a suite of measures,
actions and investments for environmental protection and sustainable use of natural
resources that will be taken to effectively address strategic transboundary issues and
the most urgent environmental concerns at the national level.
Member countries will seek the necessary funding for the actions agreed upon in this
Strategic Action Program from national, regional and international sources (in
addition to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other bodies established to
support the implementation of international environmental conventions and relevant
protocols) and mobilize resources from private and public funding for sustainable
contributions or through the application of new and appropriate economic
incentives/instruments designed to encourage environmental investments where
possible. The strengthening of public-private partnership arrangements designed to
encourage the active involvement of governance bodies, business community and
civil society is seen as a potential option for improving the existing situation.
Additional funding required for strengthening the financial sustainability and ensuring
prompt and adequate provision of funding for priority actions identified in the
SAP/NAPs will be secured by the Member countries in the form of external
investments, loans, grants, and other technical assistance arrangements.
The provision of adequate arrangements for monitoring and assessment is a key to
ensuring the successful implementation of this SAP. At the national level, the
governmental bodies responsible for the formulation and implementation of national
environmental policies and coordination of national environmental monitoring efforts
will play a major role in the SAP monitoring and control of the SAP/NAP
implementation on the basis of relevant measurable and quantifiable performance
indicators (Annex III). At the regional level, the Interim Guinea Current Commission
(IGCC), which will later become a full-fledged Guinea Current Commission (GCC)
through the technical Advisory Groups and /or any other Experts or Bodies to be
constituted as recommended by the Executive Secretary, shall be responsible for
monitoring and reviewing the progress of the SAP implementation from time to time,
and updating it in line with reality as found necessary.
In order to sustain regional cooperation, the IGCC (and later the GCC) comprising of
the Council of Ministers designated to represent Member Countries shall supervise
the implementation of this SAP. They will be assisted by a Steering Committee
comprising high level government representatives, non-governmental organizations,
collaborating United Nations agencies (UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO, IMO, FAO, IOC of
UNESCO, etc), US- NOAA, NEPAD, AU, AfDB, and private sector representatives.
They will be supported by the secretariat of the IGCC headed by an Executive
Secretary.
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AGREEMENT
PARTIES
1)
The Republic of Angola
2)
The Republic of Benin
3)
The Republic of Cameroon
4)
The Republic of Congo
5)
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
6)
The Democratic Republic of Congo
7)
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea
8)
The Republic of Gabon
9)
The Republic of Ghana
10)
The Republic of Guinea
11)
The Republic of Guinea Bissau
12)
The Republic of Liberia
13)
The Federal Republic of Nigeria
14)
The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
15)
The Republic of Sierra Leone
16)
The Togolese Republic
PREAMBLE
We, the signatories to this agreement, who are member countries of the Interim Guinea
Current Commission (IGCC) later the Guinea Current Commission (GCC);
Committed to the integrated management, development, protection and sustainability of the
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem;
Continuing in the Spirit of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
(Stockholm, 1972), United Nations Declaration on Environment and Development (Rio
Declaration) and its Agenda 21, the Abidjan Convention for Cooperation in the Protection
and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African
Region (1981), the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), the FAO Code
of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (1995), the Coastal and Marine Environment
component of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Environmental
Action Plan, the GEF Operation Strategy, the Global Programme of Action for the Protection
of Marine Environment from Land Based Activities (GPA)(1995), the World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD) and its Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (2002), and
the Millennium Development Goals (2000) especially the National Poverty Reduction
Strategies;
Appreciating the progress that has been made towards sustainable development and
environmental protection of the Guinea Current ecosystem through the actions taken during
the pilot phase of the project;
Welcoming the international support to regional initiatives and the joint-commitments to
cooperate in facilitating integrated management of the GCLME, its littoral and estuarine
Agreement
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areas and sustainable use of their resources through the development of the Guinea Current
Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) Programme;
Recognizing the unique character of the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem as one of
the world's most productive marine areas, rich in fishery resources, and an important
reservoir of marine biological diversity, which make a major contribution to livelihood and
employment and are a veritable source of goods and services for economic growth;
Welcoming also the national and regional initiatives taken to ratify or accede to international
Conventions to protect and manage the GCLME and its littoral areas and estuaries
sustainably, including the efforts towards the domestication and implementation of the
Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm,
1972), African Convention on Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (Algiers 1968),
Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, 1971), Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution
by Dumping of Wastes and other matter (1972), International Convention for the Prevention
of Pollution from ships (MARPOL 73/78), Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn 1979),
the Abidjan Convention on Co-operation in the Protection and Development of the Marine
and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African Region and Protocol concerning
Cooperation in Combating Pollution in Cases of Emergency (1981), Convention on the
control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel
Convention 1989), Article 39 of the Lome' IV Convention relating to the international
movement of hazardous wastes and radioactive wastes (1989), International Convention on
Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response, and Cooperation (OPRC 90), Convention on Fisheries
Cooperation among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean (1991), Convention on the
Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management
of Hazardous wastes within Africa (Bamako 1991) which allow for the establishment of
regional agreements which may be equal to or stronger than its own provisions, the
Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (1992), the Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the
Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (1995), Convention on Degradation by
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (2001), the United Nations Agreement on Straddling
and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (1995), the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible
Fisheries (1995); as well as other Conventions in the Guinea current region.
Conscious of the importance of the initiatives taken by non-governmental organizations
towards conservation of coastal and marine resources and protection of the environment of
the GCLME;
Aware and concerned about the fragmented nature of regional management and the urgent
need to support and jointly engage member countries in the coordination for integrated
management and sustainability of living marine resources of the Guinea Current ecosystem;
Committed to take concrete actions individually and collectively, at national and regional
levels, to ensure transboundary cooperation for the integrated management, protection and
sustainability of the living resources of the GCLME;
Conscious and concerned about capacity strengthening for sustainable development at
national and regional levels;
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Acknowledging the significant contribution made through the preparation of the
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) in the development of the Strategic Action
Programme (SAP) and towards integrating the information necessary for policy planning in
the GCLME:
DO HEREBY:
1. AGREE ON THE PRINCIPLES, CRITERIA AND INDICATORS OF THE
STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME DEFINED HEREIN
2. ADOPT AND SIGN THE PRESENT STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME
THE MINISTERS OF THE INTERIM GUINEA CURRENT COMMISSION (LATER
GUINEA CURRENT COMMISSION)
signed:
On behalf of the Republic of Angola:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Benin:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
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On behalf of the Republic of Cameroon:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Congo:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Côte d'ivoire:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Democratic Republic of
Congo:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Equatorial
Guinea:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Gabon:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
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On behalf of the Republic of Ghana:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Guinea:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Liberia:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Nigeria:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Guinea Bissau:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Republic of Sao Tome &
Principe:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
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On behalf of the Republic of Sierra Leone:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
On behalf of the Togolese Republic:
.............................................................
Signature date : .....................
Agreement
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1
THE CHALLENGE
1.1 Sustainable Integrated Management of the Guinea
Current Large Marine Ecosystem
The Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) is ranked among the five
most productive LMEs in the world today in terms of biomass yields. It has rich
fishery resources, oil and gas reserves, precious minerals, a high potential for tourism
and serves as an important reservoir of marine biological diversity of global
significance which make a major contribution to livelihood and employment of the
people of countries bordering the GCLME and a veritable source of goods and
services for economic growth. The GCLME provides habitat for a number of
threatened and endangered species and its coastal wetlands are visited by millions of
migratory birds annually. Additionally, the region has some of the world's most
significant mangrove stands. The vast and well developed mangrove forests located
along the coasts of Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and in the Niger delta of
Nigeria are among the most biologically and socio-economically significant coastal
ecosystems. The Guinea Current LME provides a distinct economic and food security
source, with its coastal and offshore waters and associated near shore watersheds. In a
study initiated by the GCLME Project (2007) on the socioeconomic valuation of the
goods and services in the GCLME region, it has been found that using the Direct
Output Impact (DOI) methodology to estimate the goods that could be obtained in the
GCLME annually namely, marine fisheries, offshore oil production, Non Timber
Forest Products (NTFP), and mining (sand, salt, granite and phosphate), the total
value of the output from these sectors, based on available data, was over
US$50billion. The 16 countries bordering the GCLME are heavily dependent on the
coastal and marine environment for their socioeconomic development.
Whereas the GCLME's rich natural resources enhanced the region's potential for
socioeconomic development, it is held back, in part, by low human capacity that
stems from high population growth rates, low literacy levels, malnutrition and the
prevalence of diseases, as well as by political instability and conflicts. Some of the
GCLME countries are among the poorest countries in the world, and although there
are disparities in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) among them, they do not indicate
significant variation in levels of development. With the exception of Gabon,
Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Cameroon, and Congo (Brazzaville), which are ranked
among the states with Medium Human Development, the others are classified as
having Low Human Development. The economy of the region is overwhelmingly
characterized by poverty inspite of improvements in economic growth over the years.
Approximately 40 percent of the region's 300 million people (more than half of the
population of the African continent) live in the coastal areas, many of whom are
dependent on the lagoons, estuaries, creeks, and coastal waters for their sustenance
and general well being. Many of the region's poor are crowded in the coastal areas
and are engaged in subsistence socio-economic activities such as fishing, farming,
sand mining and production of charcoal in the mangrove areas. The rapid population
growth in the coastal areas has resulted in dislocation of social values and cultures,
The Challenge
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socio-economic conflicts, and serious environmental degradation. Widespread
poverty persists in part due to environmental degradation, and socio-economic and
socio-political issues.
Each of the coastal countries has an interest in the sustainable management of the
coastal resource. However, such systems including their upstream freshwater basins
are at present affected by a number of anthropogenic activities: industrial effluent
discharges, agricultural run-offs, urban and domestic sewage, mining activities and oil
and gas production. In the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem, depletion of
living resources, uncertainty in ecosystem status including climate change effects,
deterioration in water quality, loss of habitats and coastal erosion have been identified
as significant transboundary environmental problems.
The sixteen coastal countries bordering the Guinea Current LME face colossal
problems of living resource depletion and coastal degradation. Though having
different socio-economic conditions and being on different development paths, the
countries recognize the transboundary nature of these threats to their economic well
being and the need to address them through cooperative assessments and joint actions.
Indeed the success of the 6 countries pilot phase project was predicated on the Large
Marine Ecosystem approach, which recognizes that pollutants and living resources in
the marine environment do not respect political boundaries. This strengthened the
resolve of the six Ministers of the original Gulf of Guinea Project to add ten more
countries to the initiative to manage and sustain in a large scale, holistic, and
collaborative manner, the marine resources of the entire Guinea Current Large Marine
Ecosystem.
Several decades of over-exploitation and habitat degradation in the Guinea Current
LME have left a legacy of fragmented and sector-based management due in part to a
history of colonial rule. This has resulted in an absence of coordinated planning and
integration, poor legal frameworks, weak enforcement and implementation of existing
regulatory instruments, inadequate public involvement, varied regional capacity
development and poor financial mechanisms of support.
The real challenge is to develop systems and structures to address the naturally
highly-variable and potentially fragile nature of the GCLME and its coastal
environment to reverse declines of fish stocks and non-optimal harvesting of living
resources; loss of ecosystem integrity arising from changes in community
composition; threats to vulnerable species and biodiversity; introduction of invasive
alien species, deterioration in water quality from land and sea-based activities;
harmful algal blooms; habitat destruction and alteration including modification of sea
bed and coastal zone; coastal degradation, and coastline erosion. These transboundary
environmental problems can be mitigated through cooperative, LME-wide, actions
that manage the complex ecosystem on an integrated and sustainable basis. An
Overview of the priority problems indicates the following;
1.1.1. The overexploitation of the commercial fish stocks and non-optimal utilization
of some living resources of the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem
continue to be a cause of concern. Maritime boundaries do not coincide with
ecosystem boundaries and some of the region's most important harvested
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resources are shared between countries and straddle geopolitical boundaries.
Over-harvesting of a species in one country therefore leads to depletion of that
species in another, and changes to the ecosystem as a whole. Many resource
management problems are transboundary in nature and require collective
action by the Member Countries to address them meaningfully.
1.1.2. The environment of the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem is highly
variable, and as such the status and yield of the ecosystem as a whole are
poorly understood. Although the ecosystem is naturally adapted to change
including periodic variability in coastal upwelling intensities, sustained large-
scale environmental events such as El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO),
flooding and algal blooms, Benguela and Canary current intrusions and
changes in winds affect the GCLME as a whole, with impacts on the fisheries
which presently are poorly known. The inability to predict these events and
changes limits the capacity to manage the ecosystem effectively.
1.1.3. Deterioration in water quality arising from municipal, industrial and
agricultural pollution poses a significant threat to the Guinea Current Large
Marine Ecosystem at local, national, and regional levels. Most impacts of
chronic and catastrophic deterioration are both localized and common to all of
the GCLME countries. This deterioration will increase as coastal populations
increase, and only collective action can address this issue. Moreover, chronic
pollution can favour the explosion of less desirable opportunistic species and
result in species migration. Catastrophic events such as major oil spills and
maritime accidents can have transboundary consequences requiring
cooperative management, including the sharing of equipment, knowledge and
manpower.
1.1.4. Habitat destruction, and the alteration and degradation of the GCLME sea bed
and coastal areas are taking place at increasing and alarming rates. Most
impacts appear localized, but alteration or loss due to over fishing, coastline
erosion, subsidence, mining and oil and gas production can cause migration of
fauna and system-wide ecosystem change. There exist uncertainties about the
regional cumulative impact on benthos resulting from coastal erosion, mining
and associated sediment re-mobilization. Some activities occur close to
national boundaries, with negative consequences translating into
transboundary impacts.
1.1.5. Increased loss of biotic integrity such as changes in community composition,
vulnerable species, and the introduction of invasive alien species, threaten the
biodiversity of the Guinea Current LME as a whole. Over-exploitation of
targeted fish species has altered the ecosystem causing impacts at all trophic
levels including top predators. Some species such as marine turtles are
threatened or endangered. Large scale fluctuations in the abundance of
Sardinella trigger fish and the bivalve Chlamys opercularis have been
reported. The bivalve is suspected to have been introduced into the region
through ship ballast water. Inadequate knowledge of the ecosystem status and
lack of regional coordination hinder effective management on both the
national and regional levels.
The Challenge
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1.1.6. There is inadequate and limited institutional, infrastructural and human
capacity at all levels to assess the status of the GCLME and to collaborate in
assessing the shared resources and other transboundary components and their
variability. More importantly, there are differing levels of development and
unequal distribution of capacity among the countries.
1.1.7. In the past two decades, there have been reported cases of increased incidence
of aquatic weeds and harmful algal blooms in the coastal waters of several
countries bordering on the GCLME. This is attributed to high nutrient loading,
pollution of near shore waters and invasion by alien species. It is difficult to
estimate the cost of these impacts on fisheries activities and biodiversity.
Although the issues of eutrophication, invasive aquatic weeds, and harmful
algal blooms are topmost priorities for most governments in the region, little
progress has been recorded in these efforts due to the lack of a transboundary
and multi-sectoral approach, which is required to address this problem
effectively.
1.1.8. The most recent GEF4 Replenishment Policy for the International Waters
(IW) focal area places a major focus on the control of nutrient over-
enrichment and oxygen depletion, and the protection of the marine
environment from land-based pollution of coastal waters in large marine
ecosystems. The GEF operational strategy for 2007-2010 will include
additional funding for controlling excessive phosphate and nitrate inputs to
LMEs. The Guinea Current LME Project, under the GEF Foundation Project
strategy, can be eligible for funding the amounts commensurate with the
challenges for recovering depleted fish stocks and restoring damaged coastal
habitats. On this basis Member Countries shall be encouraged to participate in
GEF Biodiversity projects focused on the designation of Marine Protected
Areas as a means to conserve biodiversity, including fish and fisheries.
1.1.9. The restoration of the degraded GCLME requires effective legal regimes.
Currently, most countries lack an effective and efficient legal framework; in
some cases the countries lack the relevant legislation or regulations and in
almost all cases the legislation and regulations are poorly enforced. This has
negatively affected environmental management efforts and plans in the 16
states. There is need for the GCLME programme to achieve a sound legal
regime through effective legislation and enforcement.
1.1.10. There is weak economic valuation practice in the GCLME countries. Although
economic activities, for example, agriculture, tourism and fishing, in these
countries depend on natural ecosystems to provide fertile soils for crop
production, lush vegetation and wildlife to attract tourists, clean water and
healthy mangrove swamps to sustain inland and off-shore fisheries and healthy
forest for the production of timber, fuel wood and other commodities, their
contribution to national economies are often not known or accounted for in the
national accounts. This undermines the benefits from these ecosystems and
subsequently little or no incentive for their conservation. However, estimating
the economic value of the benefits provided by the GCLME natural
ecosystems can provide a much more accurate sense of the importance of
those ecosystems to the economy.
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1.1.11. Developing countries and especially the low-income countries (LDCs) in the
GCLME Region are among the tropical countries predicted to suffer most and
soonest from climate change. They are especially vulnerable because of their
economic and social sensitivity to climate change in an already fragile
environment. The ultimate response for such countries is adaptation to climate
variations and to extreme meteorological phenomena as an excellent way to
develop long-term adaptation capacities. The National Adaptation Programme
of Action (NAPA) offers an opportunity to take action on some of the causes
of vulnerability and to undertake activities aimed at meeting the needs in this
area. Such activities could include measures to reduce the adverse effects of
climate change and implement forecasting policies enabling reaction to future
disasters. Priority activities proposed in this context should be those whose
further delay in implementation could increase vulnerability or lead to
increased cost at a later stage.
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2
THE RATIONALE FOR COOPERATIVE
ACTION
Pursuant to the Accra Ministerial Declaration (10 July 1998) by the Environment
Ministers of the 6 "Pilot Phase" countries which endorsed a regional approach to the
environmentally sustainable development of the coastal and marine environment of
the Gulf of Guinea; and the Decision II of the Brazzaville Declaration (26 May 2006)
of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment, which calls on African
Governments to support the LME Projects in Africa as tools for the revitalization and
the successful implementation of the Abidjan Convention (1981); to the Abuja
Ministerial Declaration of 22 September 2006, which called for regional cooperation
by the sixteen countries bordering the GCLME, and creation of a technical Secretariat
to serve as an organization entitled the Interim Guinea Current Commission (IGCC),
and later the GCC. This regional body is consistent with the terms of the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and will operate within the
framework of the Abidjan Convention.
2.1 Applicable Principles:
The commitment for joint action by Member countries in the GCLME Region is
predicated on the following applicable principles:
(a) The concept of integrated sustainable development shall be applied to restore the
integrity, health and sustainability of the GCLME and reinvigorate its capacity
for use and enjoyment for present and future generations.
(b) The precautionary principle shall be applied wherever appropriate as a preventive
measure to forestall any potential deleterious effects on living resources, hazards
to human health, hindrance to marine activities, reduction of amenities and
impairment of other legitimate uses of the GCLME even when there is no
established and conclusive evidence of a causal relationship between the action
and the effects, recognizing that greater caution is required when information is
unavailable, unreliable or inadequate for meaningful inference.
(c) Other anticipatory and cooperative actions, such as regional contingency
planning, environmental impact assessment, Integrated Coastal Area and River
Basin Management (ICARM), strategic environmental assessment involving the
conservation of living marine resources and biodiversity, the establishment of
marine protected areas, the transboundary assessment of the environmental
consequences of government programmes, policies and plans shall be taken.
(d) The application of cleaner technologies which ensures best practices by
replacement or phasing-out of obsolete high-waste and waste-generating
technologies that are in use shall be vigorously pursued and encouraged.
(e) The use of multilateral economic and policy instruments that promote integrated
sustainable development shall be strengthened through the implementation of
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economic incentives for transfer of environmentally friendly technologies,
practices and applications; through the introduction and enforcement of user fees
and the polluter pays principle; as well as periodic environmental and natural
resources auditing.
(f) Mandatory environmental, ecosystem and human health considerations shall be
included and required for all relevant policies and sectoral plans, particularly
those regarding marine industrial development, fisheries, mariculture and marine
transportation.
(g) Voluntary cooperation and strong political commitment will be encouraged, to
solve transboundary issues, and promote joint activities.
(h) The full involvement and active participation of the private sector as stakeholders
shall be encouraged and advanced as integral to the successful implementation of
the SAP.
(i) All 16 states of the GCLME will be encouraged to collaborate, establish linkages,
and network with the other states for their mutual benefits.
(j) Accountability, public transparency, and public involvement and cooperation are
GCLME values to be promoted through wide dissemination of information, in
order to enhance the integrated and sustainable management of the LME region.
2.2 Institutional Arrangement
(a) In order to implement the actions and policies agreed upon, existing regional
mechanisms for cooperation such as the Convention for Cooperation in the
Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West
and Central African Region (Abidjan Convention) and its related Protocols will
be revitalized and retooled to ensure the necessary coordination and capacity
building, and promote the sustainable and integrated management of the
GCLME. The Member countries of the Interim Commission will actively
mobilize resources and co-financing with interested stakeholders, industry,
partners and donor agencies.
(b) To sustain regional cooperation, the Interim Guinea Current Commission (and
later the Guinea Current Commission) will consist of the following three key
organs whose structure and functions are further elaborated in Annex I:
i)
The Council of Ministers
ii) The Steering Committee
iii) The Executive Secretariat
(c) The Council of Ministers, consisting of all the Ministers of the member countries
in the Interim Guinea Current Commission (later the Guinea Current
Commission) will inter alia:
i)
Supervise the implementation of this Strategic Action Programme;
ii) Establish such bodies as required to support activities and
processes related to its implementation;
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iii) Mandate or delegate any other organ of the Commission to carry
out specific tasks.
(d) The Steering Committee comprising high level government representatives (not
below the rank of Director) will, under the supervision of the Council of
Ministers:
i)
Provide guidance, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the
SAP
ii) Monitor and evaluate the status and functions of the Advisory
Groups/Activity Centers and;
iii) Consider the establishment of specific groups for the purpose of
implementing this SAP
(e) Headed by an Executive Secretary, the IGCC (later the GCC) Executive
Secretariat will perform all such tasks as delegated by the Council of Ministers
and in particular:
i)
Co-ordinate and administer the Commission's activity including
work schedule, contract preparations, financial management,
auditing and preparation of annual reviews;
ii) Assume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of an
electronic communication system for the purposes of facilitating
interactions between the components of the GCLME institutional
network;
iii) Liaise with Activity Centres / Centres of Excellence to provide
information on bibliography, data sources, status of the ecosystem,
environmental variability, assessment and monitoring activities;
iv) Organize at least once a year, scientific conference based on the
results of work programme and assessment of the status of the
GCLME.
v)
Report on the progress on SAP implementation to the Council of
Ministers and Steering Committee at their yearly meeting.
.
(f) The IGCC (and later the GCC) will be supported by the following Advisory
Groups located and coordinated at Activity Centres/Centre of Excellence in
Member Countries (Annex II):
i)
Advisory Group on Fisheries and other Living Marine Resources
ii) Advisory Group on Environmental Information and Management
Services
iii) Advisory Group on Marine Productivity and Biodiversity;
iv) Advisory Group on Pollution Management
v)
Advisory Group on Risk Assessment and Early Warning System
vi) Advisory Group on Oil Spill Contingency and Emergency
Response
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2.3 Legal Framework
The IGCC (later the GCC) will encourage and support member countries to ensure an
effective legal framework for the sound management of the GCLME through:
a. The Ratification of existing international and regional conventions relevant for
the protection, management and sustainability of the GCLME.
b. The Adoption and ratification of new conventions and protocols as necessary.
c. The Incorporation of conventions into domestic law and provide legal
enforcement mechanisms and structures for their effectiveness, and
d. Where possible the harmonization of legislation and enforcement mechanisms.
The IGCC (and later GCC) shall put in place adequate mechanisms for the settlement
of disputes arising from the GCLME programme. Where possible the GCC may refer
parties to existing dispute resolution mechanisms and structures.
The boundaries of the GCLME for the purpose of this SAP are as follows:
a. Geographically, the GCLME extends from approximately 12 degrees north to
16 degrees south latitude and variously from 20 degrees west to 12 degrees
east longitude.
b. Oceanographically, the GCLME extends in the North-South direction from the
intense upwelling area of the Guinea Current south to the northern seasonal
limit of the Benguela Current. In the East-West direction includes the drainage
basins of the major rivers seaward to the Guinea Current front delimiting the
Guinea Current from the open ocean waters.
Without prejudice to the preceding paragraph, the GCLME area includes the
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and coastal habitats of the sixteen countries and
such areas outside national jurisdiction that fall within the boundaries above.
2.4 Linkages, Collaboration and Expanded Cooperation
The Member countries have a history of cooperation both at the economic and
environmental spheres such as the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS), CEMAC, South African Development and Economic Community
(SADEC), etc.
The Steering Committee and IGCC (later GCC) and Member countries shall
individually and jointly promote the following:
(a) Effective
co-ordination
between sub-regional and regional bodies and initiatives
such as Fisheries Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF);
Regional Fisheries Committee for the Gulf of Guinea (COREP); Forestry
Commission of Central Africa (COMIFAC); Programme for Integrated
Management of Marine and Coastal Resources (GIRMac); Regional Programme
for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine zones of West Africa (PRCM);
and New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD); and NGOs and
CBOs which contribute towards the integrated management, sustainable
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development and rational utilization of the living marine resources and
protection of the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem. The IGCC will
develop institutional relationships with NEPAD and encourage collaboration
with other NEPAD environmental initiatives and international projects.
(b) Co-operation with partners, donors, stakeholders including bilateral and multi-
lateral financial institutions, aid agencies, the private sector and interested
foundations with the aim of securing funding for projects and policies identified
in this SAP document.
(c) Cooperation with relevant international organizations including United Nations
Agencies and international organizations in implementing this SAP.
(d) Cooperation with other Large Marine Ecosystem programmmes such as
Benguela Current LME Programme and Canary Current LME Programme that
share similar attributes and are also involved in collaboration and regional
cooperation.
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3
POLICY, CROSS CUTTING AND
INVESTMENT RELATED ACTIONS
3.1 Policy Actions
3.1.1
Management and Sustainable Utilization of Marine
Living Resources
The living marine resources of the GCLME are utilized by industrial and artisanal
fisheries for providing livelihood and employment for hundreds of thousands of
fishermen and earn foreign exchange for the participating countries. The resources are
both locally important resident stocks supporting artisanal fisheries and transboundary
migratory stocks that have attracted large industrial offshore foreign fishing fleets that
create additional stress on the fishery resources. A number of countries also negotiate
fishing rights agreements with coastal countries. There is little capacity in the nations
of the region to effectively monitor and enforce those agreements. It is believed that
some of the fish caught in the region by the distant water fleets are imported to the
region. The countries are also net importers of fish and fish products. Declines in
catch per unit effort (CPUE) indicate that catch is exceeding sustainable yields in
some resources while species diversity and average body lengths of the most
important fish assemblages have declined. These declines have in turn led to
unsustainable destructive fishing methods such as blasting and use of very small mesh
nets. Again the magnitude of the declines is indicative of over fishing.
The most significant changes in the abundance of fish species in the GCLME are
fluctuations in Sardinella species, and a dramatic increase and decline in the
abundance of trigger fish (Balistes capriscus). In contrast, there are species that are
not optimally exploited due to lack of information and technology. In order to rebuild
the depleted stocks and to repair the damage done by over harvesting and at the same
time provide opportunities for livelihood and food security in the region, the
governments have committed themselves to agree on the development of integrated
management for sustainable utilization of living marine resources through the
following suite of policy actions which address priority transboundary issues:
(a) Regional Fish Stock and Ecosystem Assessments:
A regional structure will be established to conduct transboundary fish stock
and ecosystem assessments including environmental changes manifesting a
periodic variability in coastal upwelling intensities and their effects/role in
fluctuations of coastal pelagic fish abundance. The implementation of this
transboundary structure will involve the national focal institutions in all the
Member Countries.
(b) Joint fish and productivity surveys and assessments
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Joint surveys and assessment of shared stocks of key species and productivity
indices have been undertaken co-operatively since 2004, with additional
effort envisaged over a three year period of the current project, as a pre-
requisite to understanding the status of the fisheries and demonstration of the
benefits to the individual states of joint transboundary fisheries assessments.
The goal of this collaboration will be the gathering of baseline data,
comparison and validation of survey and assessment methodology. The
Fisheries Activity Centre shall be fully involved in this process along with
national focal institutions and will provide a basis for regional
recommendations on shared stocks.
(c) Regional harmonization of policies
The IGCC (later the GCC) shall promote the harmonization of policies and
the legal framework for fisheries legislation and fisheries management plans.
It shall promote regional cooperation and build capacities of Member
Countries in negotiating joint fisheries partnership agreements for the mutual
benefit of the region.
(d) Assessment of non-target resources
The IGCC will ensure joint surveys for assessment of non-target species both
inshore and offshore which are common to two or more countries to
encourage their optimal utilization. This will involve the gathering and
validation of baseline information on these species, and the assessment of any
future exploitation on the ecosystem. The national focal institutions,
regulatory agencies and the Activity Centres for fisheries and Productivity
will collaborate in these activities.
(e) Regional mariculture policy
Mariculture has attracted considerable interest from policy makers as having
the potential to provide alternative sources to supplement fish food from wild
harvest, thus contributing to the national and regional economy in addition to
improving the living conditions of coastal fisher communities. There is
considerable potential for the expansion of mariculture regionally, especially
targeting such favored species as shrimps, tilapia, mullet and catfish. The
political interest will certainly cause mariculture efforts to increase.
However, it is essential to properly understand the negative impacts of
premature development. The IGCC shall promote a policy framework to
assure proper development of mariculture and harmonize national policies of
Member Countries to ensure positive economic and environmental impacts.
(f) Regional economic valuation
In order to achieve the objectives of recovering and sustaining depleted
fisheries; restoring degraded habitats; and reducing land and ship-based
pollution, it will be important to understand the total value of the ecosystem's
contribution to the society. Economic valuation would help to demonstrate
and quantify its economic value in terms of raw materials, protection of
natural and human systems, and maintenance of options for future economic
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production and growth, as well as the costs associated with the loss of these
benefits through resource degradation. In addition, it will be important to
know the value/effect of the impact of different management approaches; the
change in the value of the ecosystem if conservation action is undertaken,
including opportunity cost of conservation; how the change will affect
different stakeholders (that is who are the beneficiaries and the losers); and
how beneficiaries could be made to pay for the services they receive to
ensure that the GCLME is conserved and its services sustained.
In this regard, the IGCC and later the GCC will promote and facilitate the
economic valuation of goods and services of the GCLME. It shall ensure the
development of common valuation methodology to be used by countries in
the GCLME. Countries will be encouraged to institute and implement
economic valuation practice in the management of natural resources and
damage assessment especially in the marine area.
Furthermore, joint assessment and evaluation of socio-economic
consequences of various harvesting methods, the improved utilization of
living coastal and marine resources and the economic value of the GCLME
as a veritable ecosystem and assessment for joint management / co-
management will be undertaken. This is with a view to appropriate
intervention within the framework of improving sustainable ecosystem
utilization and management for regional and global benefits. This activity
will be coordinated by the IGCC.
(g) Environmental Accounting
To facilitate the conservation of the GCLME, the inclusion of ecosystem
value estimates in national accounting is imperative. Although some of the
countries already include environmental account issues as satellite accounts
in their national accounts, it is important to integrate environmental accounts
in the national accounts especially as most of the GCLME countries have
their economies largely dependent on natural resources from the GCLME
areas for their survival. Therefore, the IGCC and later the GCC shall initiate
the environmental accounting process and ensure that GCLME countries
incorporate environmental accounting frameworks in their national accounts.
(h) Conservation measures
The IGCC will encourage the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
and implementation of national policies on designated protected areas and
other conservation measures. These will also be harmonized within the
region for common achievable goals.
(i) FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCFR)
The Member Countries of the GCLME commit themselves to compliance
with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and its national
enforcement in each of their territorial waters.
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(j) Monitoring Control and Surveillance
The IGCC (later the GCC) shall strengthen regional monitoring, control and
surveillance in the GCLME region and the reporting system for cases of
illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region in order to eliminate
the depletion of the fish stocks and huge economic losses caused by this
illegal practice including trans-shipment. The IGCC shall further coordinate
and facilitate action by the member countries to engage in dialogue with
partner organizations or countries associated with these illegal practices.
(k) Physical Alteration and Destruction of Habitats (PADH)
The types of Physical Alteration and Destruction of Habitats common in the
region are those associated with shoreline, inter-tidal and sub-tidal, mineral
exploitation, and sediment extraction, oil and gas production, brackish waters
and coastal watershed alterations. The least common is biological alteration,
which includes accidental or deliberate introduction of alien invasive species.
The immediate causes of PADH in the region include improper and
unplanned construction along the coast; uncontrolled mangrove cutting and
conversion for agricultural purposes; coastal sand and gravel mining; salt
extraction; port and harbor construction; oil and gas exploration and
production; deforestation and removal of vegetation cover and sedimentation
/ siltation processes. The IGCC will promote ICARM, which is a
comprehensive integrated framework for policy, coordinated planning and
holistic and multi-sector programme and development management in the
coastal areas. This will emphasize the involvement of all stakeholders (public
and private) and community support to sustain the functional integrity of
coastal resource systems that generate goods and services for human welfare.
(l) Ocean governance
In order to ensure sustainable management and financing of the GCLME, the
IGCC and later the GCC will promote and facilitate the evolving of
innovative governance mechanisms and institutional framework.
Participatory management arrangements, for example, joint management
initiatives will be explored.
3.1.2
Management of Minerals and Extractive Resources
Oil, gas and mineral exploration are expanding throughout the GCLME. Already
Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo DRC, Congo, Côte d'ivoire, Equatorial Guinea,
Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Sao Tome
and Principe have deposits and proven reserves that are exploited or will eventually
be exploited. The region is endowed in other extractive resources such as Iron and
Steel, Bauxite, Aluminum, Phosphate, Gold, etc. These developments call for
increased attention to be placed on environmental awareness and protection and
sustainable development. The main objective of management at national and regional
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level is to minimize environmental impacts and to identify negative impacts on the
environment including socio-economic issues.
In order to further the aims and objectives of responsible multi-sectoral utilization of
the GCLME and to mitigate any negative impacts on the ecosystem of mining,
drilling activities and oil and gas production, the following policy actions will be
undertaken.
(a) Regional consultation framework
The IGCC shall develop a regional framework for enhanced consultation,
with the objective of reducing and controlling the negative impacts of mining
and oil and gas exploration, exploitation and production, in an effort to
reduce inter-sectoral conflicts and maximize socio-economic benefits. The
IGCC shall also develop, through a broad-based participation of the public
and private sectors, a code of conduct for responsible mining of extractive
resources including actions for remediation and rehabilitation and restoration
of affected areas.
(b) Harmonization of policy
The governments of the region will collaborate to harmonize mining and oil
and gas exploration and production policies relating to shared resources (such
as exemplified by Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Zone),
cumulative environmental impacts and their mitigation including those
relating to safe environmentally friendly and efficient decommissioning and
abandonment program.
(c) Strategic environmental assessment
Impacts assessment of the cumulative effects of mining of extractive
resources including oil and gas exploration and production activities on the
GCLME will be undertaken in collaboration with industry and interested
stakeholders with a view to mitigating and minimizing physical alteration,
destruction or degradation of habitats. This will include explicit integration of
social and economic indicators and analyses with all other scientific
assessments, to assure that prospective management measures are both
scientifically credible and cost-effective with regard to the use of ecosystem
goods and services.
(d) Co-ordination of interventions relating to offshore exploration and
production of oil and gas.
The IGCC will promote environmental policies and in particular, those
relating to Environmental Impact Assessment, for prediction and mitigation
of negative impacts of oil and gas exploration and production on the
ecosystem in order to ensure their environmental sustainability.
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3.1.3
Effective Assessment of Environmental Variability,
Ecosystem Impacts and Development of Early Warning
System for Ecosystem Change.
Coastal upwelling occurs seasonally along the northern and eastern coasts of the Gulf
of Guinea. Unlike the eastern boundary upwelling systems in other parts of the world,
the most remarkable characteristic of the GCLME upwelling is the absence of
correlation between local wind stress and coastal temperature especially during the
boreal summer season. The seasonal shoaling of the thermocline is partly induced by
Kelvin waves or remote forcing that is supported by numerical models and data
analyses and probably modified by local forcing mechanisms. In addition,
environmental changes manifesting a periodic variability in coastal upwelling
intensities play a role in coastal pelagic fish abundance fluctuations. For instance, the
east and west flows and position of the Guinea current may contribute to these
population fluctuations. Shifts in biomass also appear to be connected to a shift in the
boundary of the Guinea current. These alterations have been linked to oceanographic
changes including the southward displacement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone
(ITCZ) during Atlantic El Niño's. Human activities are further superimposed on this
inherent natural variability. There is fragmentary but important evidence of increasing
instability and variability as well as considerable uncertainty regarding ecosystem
status, integrity and yields. Inadequate knowledge and poor information on ecosystem
status and lack of regional coordination in studies of biodiversity, habitats and
ecotones hinder effective management on the national and regional levels.
In order to assess environmental variability, ecosystem impacts and improve
predictability in support of sustainable integrated management of the GCLME, the
following policy actions are agreed to:
(a) Development of environmental early warning system
A cost effective regional early warning system for monitoring major
environmental events within the GCLME will be developed. This will
include linkage of existing national environmental monitoring systems, when
they exist and cross-linking with suitable international monitoring systems
for relevant data and information on the state of the environment.
Participation of Member Countries in international ocean monitoring
activities of UNESCO-IOC and particularly ODINAFRICA, GOOS and
GEOSS, will be encouraged as well as collaboration with IMO on oil
pollution and disaster contingency planning. Information on the state of the
environment which is vital for improved environmental assessment and
networking will be incorporated into the various decision- making support
systems that underpin living marine resource, coastal area and pollution
management. An Activity Centre will coordinate the development of the
Early Warning System, its application and requisite networking and
dissemination of information to permit socioeconomic benefits in the
Member Countries and region at large.
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(b) Environmental baseline establishment
Analysis of past data series and available material archives will be jointly
undertaken by national focal institutions to ascertain and provide a baseline
against which to measure future ecosystem transboundary variability and
changes, especially decadal changes and to ascertain the extent and trends in
variability (inter and intra annual) in the 20th century. This exercise will be
facilitated by the IGCC (and later the GCC).
(c) Enhancing predictability of extreme events
Analysis and reassessment of past data and information, wherever available,
augmented with new information will be undertaken to determine the source
and large-scale impact on the GCLME of variations in sea surface
temperature and anomalies, dissolved oxygen levels, productivity,
precipitation and precipitation cycles, tropical storms depression, thermal
fields as well as other extreme episodes of inter annual variability, with a
view to improving predictability of their occurrence, extent and ecosystem
consequences. The improved predictability of major transboundary
perturbations will complement resource assessment, modeling, resource and
coastal area management and marine pollution contingency planning. It shall
be used to enhance forecasting of regional rainfall which largely determine
the seasons and hence provide better forestry and agricultural planning.
(d) Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
A regional HAB monitoring and reporting network will be developed with a
view to its implementation. This will also include a regional plan for
assessing the transboundary effects of HABs. Data on HABs will be a
valuable input for the sustainable development of mariculture. International
collaboration will be promoted with UNESCO-IOC HAB programme, in
particular for data requirements for a plan for regional mariculture policy
harmonization.
(e) Global climate change.
The natural climate system and human systems interact in complex and
increasingly numerous ways. The world oceans play a key role in the climate
system on both long and short term scales through their absorption and
transport of heat and carbon. Understanding the ocean's role in the climate
system is pertinent to understanding and predicting sea level rise, ocean
acidification, coupled modes of climate variability on interannual to decadal
time scales such as El Nino, the possibility of abrupt climate changes, and the
strength and frequency of tropical cyclones. Climate variability and change
also will have impacts on the oceans through interactions with ocean
ecosystems, biodiversity and fisheries a resource that currently provides
food for 3.5 billion people.
The GCLME is believed to play a significant role in global ocean and climate
processes and is an important site for the early detection of global climate
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change. Sustained large scale environmental events such as ENSO, flooding,
algal blooms, Benguela and Canary current intrusions and changes in winds
and local reversal of currents affect the ecosystem as a whole. These events
and changes generally have their origin and cause outside of the GCLME and
propagate across external GCLME and internal geopolitical boundaries.
Impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, water supplies, coastal areas and human
health from climate variability are expected to grow. The inability to predict
events and changes limits the capacity to manage effectively system wide.
Addressing the threats faced by ecosystems and human society requires
regional and international policy cooperation and a strong research effort to
underpin policy directions. The IGCC (and later GCC) will promote
collaboration with the international community to assess the potential
impacts of climate processes, adjustments and adaptive responses imperative
for the GCLME region, and the protection of its goods and services.
Data from initial national communications submitted by African countries
under the climate change Convention and most of the V&A assessments by
UNEP, IPCC, UNDP, UNIDO, and the World Bank clearly show that Africa
is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change and climate
variability. Floods and droughts, which have caused major disruptions in the
economies of many West and Central African countries, continue to
aggravate the vulnerability in the GCLME region.
Vulnerability and adaptive capacity requires greater research and attention.
Member countries will be encouraged to formulate National Action Plan for
Adaptation (NAPA). It is a necessity to twin adaptive capacity and
development for Africa in general and GCLME countries in particular, to
enhance resilience to such multifarious changes. A range of factors including
wealth, technology, education, information, skill, and infrastructure, access to
resources and management capabilities and political will may enhance
adaptive capacity to climate change.
Therefore, in addition to developing a project on adaptation to expected
impacts of climate change for consideration by GEF, a parallel yet
complementary project will be designed to specifically address adaptation
issues relevant to this SAP.
3.1.4
Assessment, reduction and control of pollution
Coastal industrial development and intense rate of urbanization of coastal cities much
of which are poorly planned or unplanned have created pollution "hot spots" in most
of the GCLME countries with resultant deterioration in surface and ground water
quality. The industrial areas are predominantly sited in major catchments that drain
into coastal wetlands, especially mangroves, lagoons and estuaries. The problem is
aggravated by an increase in marine litter (marine debris and tar balls) from land and
shipping activities and particularly by oil and gas exploration and the potential for
accidental spills by the major oil producers in the GCLME. There is a high risk of
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transboundary contamination of environmentally sensitive areas with damage to
coastal infrastructure and to straddling/shared fish stocks. Until recently, gas flaring
has been a major source of carbon dioxide emission from the oil fields, which is in the
process of being reduced by a mandate for zero flaring within this decade.
The following joint policy action to manage marine pollution in the GCLME and
minimize ecosystem impacts is agreed.
(a) Oil pollution contingency plans and regional policy.
The IGCC (and later GCC) will encourage effective implementation of the
Abidjan Convention and its Protocol Concerning Co-operation in Combating
Pollution, in Cases of Emergency. The IGCC will endeavor to provide
effective regional communication to coordinate efforts to control marine
pollution, minimize impacts and promote cost-effective solutions.
The IGCC will promote the preparation and implementation of national
marine pollution contingency and other hazardous substances plans by all
Member Countries of the GCLME in collaboration with IMO as provider of
technical assistance and the oil shipping companies as partners. The IGCC
will encourage harmonization of plans and develop mechanisms for sharing
technology and expertise including assistance during actual spill event for
sharing of clean-up equipment and provision of expert advice. IGCC will
collaborate with IMO for promoting a common strategy for the
implementation of MARPOL 73/78 (International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships), and with IPIECA on the International
Convention on Oil Pollution, Preparedness and Co-operation (OPRC 90), and
other marine pollution prevention instruments in the GCLME region.
In addition, a regional policy will be developed to minimize transboundary
impacts of oil pollution from activities in the EEZs of Member Countries, in
partnership with the organized oil operators (including multinationals) in the
region.
(b) Waste minimization and cleaner technology policy
The IGCC (and later the GCC) will promote the adoption of the concept of
cleaner technologies and waste minimization for industrial processes for
reduction of discharges of wastes/effluents into receiving waters. Emphasis
will be on reduce, reuse, and recycle (3Rs) and application of low cost
technology options including the Waste Stock Exchange Management
System (WSEMS) and adoption of Best Environmental Practice and Best
Available Technology.
The countries will also develop, adapt, implement and enforce common /
appropriate water quality standards/guidelines in collaboration with the
organized private sector as well as implement appropriate point and non-
point source pollution reduction measures. For non-point sources, Member
Countries will harmonize policies, legislation and regulations and ensure
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their effective application to regulate agro-chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides,
etc) to control especially excessive nutrient input leading to eutrophication
and persistent organic pollution.
(c) Marine debris, tar balls and beach litter
The problem of marine debris, tar balls and beach litter will be addressed by
national and regional public awareness and clean-up campaigns similar to
those organized yearly for "Coast week" and focused on sanitation for
favored recreational beaches. This sensitization shall be followed by
legislation and implementation of standards and their harmonization at a
regional level. Tar ball loading on beaches will be addressed within the
context of MARPOL 73/78 as a trans-boundary impact of oil transportation
and dumping. Tar balls can also be the result of oil exploration and
exploitation. Activities will be facilitated by local and national focal point
institutions and coordinated by the IGCC
(d) Prevention of toxic waste dumping in the GCLME region
IGCC (and later the GCC) will collaborate with all Member Countries,
international partners and watchdog organizations in enforcing the
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes
and other Matter (1972); the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating
thereto; and the 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal; Convention on the Ban
of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and
Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa (Bamako 1991) in order to
combat illegal transfer and dumping of wastes in the region. Member
countries will be assisted in ensuring effective surveillance and monitoring
mechanisms including participation by local populace through awareness and
enlightenment campaigns for the protection of human health and the
environment. In the event of any illegal dumping in any of the Member
Countries, IGCC (and later GCC) will provide assistance through Partners,
Donors, and Collaborators including, if need be, prosecution of the ship/ ship
owners responsible for such act.
(e) Ratification of the Protocol on Land-based Sources and Activities
(LBSA) and Development of a Regional Programme of Action (RPA)
The IGCC (and later the GCC) will facilitate ratification and accession to the
Protocol on LBSA to the Abidjan Convention and the development of a
Regional Programme of Action (RPA).
3.1.5
Maintenance of ecosystem health and protection of
biodiversity.
The GCLME is impacted by human activities such as fishing, urbanization, and
coastal development. These activities generate huge amounts of waste and have
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profound negative impacts on components of the ecosystem manifested as depletion
or decline of fisheries, loss of marine resources, biodiversity and biomass erosion,
loss of critical habitats particularly fragile mangroves and wetlands that sustain
biological diversity and provide spawning grounds for marine fish and other fauna of
commercial importance as well as endangered or threatened species. In addition to
contamination of marine life and serious threats to human life, there have been losses
of biotic integrity with changes in community composition, species biodiversity and
introduction of invasive alien species. These have trans-boundary consequences and
may be of global importance.
With the goal of reversing and retarding habitat alteration and destruction and to
protect vulnerable species and biological diversity, the following regional policy
actions are agreed to:
(a) LME-wide assessment of vulnerable species and critical habitats
A regional assessment of the status of critical habitats and nurseries e.g.
mangroves, coastlines, wetlands and coral reefs in the GCLME will be
undertaken collaboratively. Member Countries will prepare the necessary
baseline data and information on such habitats including their location for
easy geo-reference in a data base using Geographic Information System
(GIS). This will allow comparison of various attributes both at spatial and
temporal scales and contribute to the description of sites/ecosystems that
require specific attention either as problem sites or lessons learned regarding
the recovery of altered or damaged habitats. The protection of vulnerable
species will be achieved within the context of conserving whole ecotones that
encompass habitats of a variety of species. A regional marine and coastal
early warning system will be developed and incorporated into an action plan
that will specify environmental quality criteria and promote the most
appropriate regional structure to address the problems.
(b) LME-wide policy on invasive species from ballast water and other
sources
A regional policy on marine invasive species from ballast water and other
sources will be developed in tandem with existing IMO, GEF and Glo-Ballast
framework and management plan. IMO will take the lead in this
collaboration and promote awareness on the problems associated with ballast
water, as well as assist Member Countries in the implementation of existing
international regulations.
(c) LME-wide protection and conservation of marine biodiversity
A regional marine biodiversity protection and conservation management plan
will be developed in tandem with the International Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBO). The plan shall focus amongst others on the establishment of
the network for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) which can be for natural
heritage, cultural heritage or sustainable production; this will include a
project to determine their potential for eco-tourism in Member Countries.
Other aspects of the plan should include assessment of genetic diversity
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implications for marine resource management, access to benefit-sharing of
genetic resources, and identification of priority areas for Integrated Coastal
Area Management. The IGCC (and later GCC) will facilitate this process.
3.2 Cross Cutting Issues
This SAP recognizes a concern to address cross-cutting issues and inter-linkages
identifiable as priorities for action for its successful implementation. Highlights of the
commonality stronglysuggest the following needs;
· To strengthen the existing institutional and legal framework for sustainable
integrated management of coastal and marine areas;
· To ensure the acceptability and sustainability of interventions by involving all
relevant stakeholders;
· To build confidence and trust and ensure support for the successful
implementation of integrated management of coastal areas and the resources
they provide;
· To strengthen the collection and dissemination of scientific information as a
basis for effective sustainable management;
· To improve/enhance cooperation at regional and international levels in order
to resolve present and future challenges facing the LME and its coastal and
marine areas; and
· To ensure sustainable financing mechanisms.
Some of the key factors are further elaborated as follows:
3.2.1
Capacity building and institutional strengthening
Building and strengthening of human, institutional and infrastructure capacity and
maintenance of developed capacity have been identified as a high priority in the
region. Actions are needed to address, inter alia, Policy development, development
and harmonization of legislation, transfer of environmentally sound technologies and
development of regional collaboration or networking in respect of survey and
assessment of ecosystem status. This has to include development of institutional
capacities of key agencies and institutions in the region, which contribute to the
integrated sustainable management of the GCLME. There is however inadequate
capacity in member countries to address the priority trans-boundary concerns
identified in the TDA and highlighted in this SAP.
Policy Action proposed is development of Strategic Plan for training and capacity
building. A thorough review of human and institutional capacity and training needs,
particularly those related to analysis of priority transboundary concerns of the region,
will be carried out. This study should take into account the concerns expressed in the
capacity building component of NEPAD concerning the management of the marine
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environment and coastal areas. Such a study will harmonize various areas of existing
and planned activities into a strategic and realistic plan of action for capacity building
and training. Member Countries will cooperate and share experience to strengthen and
assist each other wherever possible to implement this plan. It is equally a priority for
the GCLME to liaise with River Basin Authorities, Coastal Aquifer Projects and other
LMEs to identify common training requirements.
It is anticipated that after the strategic plan for capacity building and training is
adopted, capacity building and training activities will be firmly agreed and decided
with the following actions scheduled as part of the implementation of this SAP:
community-based demonstration projects, exchange programmes for sharing best
practices and lessons learned from similar projects, regular targeted training
programmes, establishment of relevant networks including organized urban and rural
fishermen cooperatives, alternative vocational training for livelihood/enterprise
diversification, enhanced public awareness and information dissemination, and
capacity building for the development and implementation of action plans.
3.2.2
Stakeholder participation
The Stakeholder Participation Plan will be reviewed and updated for the purpose of
the implementation of this SAP. Main stakeholders in the SAP are: Government
Ministries and Agencies (Fishery, Environment, Finance, Planning, Agriculture,
Mining, other relevant ministries), decentralized authorities, the academia, NGOs
(local, regional and international) active in the GCLME region, CBOs involved in
specific community based activities, Private sector engaged in fishery, mining, oil and
gas, forestry, tourism and agro-based industries, etc. relevant to the scope of the SAP,
bilateral and multilateral Donors, UN organizations and agencies.
IGCC will facilitate organization of Stakeholder consultation meetings once in a year
for the purpose of effectively reporting and monitoring the progress of the SAP
implementation.
Of particular importance is the involvement of the private sector in the SAP
implementation. Currently some activities are ongoing to demonstrate public-private
partnership on the issues identified in the transboundary diagnostic analysis. Public-
private partnership would be further expanded.
3.2.3
Public participation
The SAP provides for a sufficient level of consultation and dissemination of
information, and encourages the active involvement of the public in the decision-
making process through inter-alia the participation of representatives of citizen
groups in the Steering Committee and support of identified Regional NGO network.
The public and non-governmental organizations will be an important part of the
process of environmental rehabilitation and restoration at the regional,, national, and
local levels. At the regional level focus will be on coordination of actions across the
Guinea Current LME. At the national level, this shall cover the process of enhancing
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the legislative framework and strengthening the institutional capacity for wider
stakeholder involvement in the monitoring and public control of the SAP / NAP
implementation. At the local level, the active participation of the public and especially
local communities in management decision-making process will be a prerequisite to
the successful implementation of practical environmental actions.
3.2.4
Communication, Information, Education and Awareness
.In order to ensure maximum benefits to society from the implementation of this SAP,
the IGCC (and later GCC) will facilitate the following:
· Identification of common methodologies and harmonizing activities in
information collection and dissemination;
· Use of appropriate information delivery mechanisms integrated and
interactive communication and education, use of local languages where
necessary in grassroots communication and instruction, etc.
· Data and information exchange on sustainable integrated coastal and marine
areas management;
· Collection, sharing and protection of sustainable cultural education and
experience which can be useful for planning development in coastal and
marine areas;
· Effective involvement of non-governmental and community-based
organizations in order to reach the grass-root and facilitate the management
processes of coastal and marine areas;
· Ensuring gender-balanced participation at the policy formulation process in
the design and management of development information and communication
initiatives in coastal and marine areas;
· Training of trainers in the development of awareness materials in different
formats and languages of participating Member Countries;
· Timely public access to the widest possible extent, to relevant information and
documentation on the outcome of successful implementation of interventions
in this SAP.
· Regular information and documentation to governments, senior level decision-
makers, development partners, collaborating UN agencies, non-governmental
organizations, and stakeholders in the private sector, etc.
3.3 Investment Actions
Investment actions are identified interventions whose collective implementation
should change or reduce the deleterious human activities and practices resulting in
environmental concerns and ensure sustainable development. The net effect is an
integrated approach toward the sustainable use of renewable resources in an
environmentally sound yet economically-viable manner. The actions seek to address
primarily the "problem at hand" (i.e. restore fish stock, repair damage resulting from
pollution, and implement new technologies and cleaner production process, etc).
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However, investment actions may go beyond solving the immediate problem. They
include projects/programmes that deal with ancillary environmental risks as well as
addressing the efficacy and success of mitigating the main cause(s) of environmental
problems. They present opportunities for the development of downstream or upstream
activities and associated businesses which should be investigated as their integration
can add a valuable element to the financial viability of the overall undertaking. For
sustainability, a legislative framework must be established through the enactment of
legislation to protect and reinforce the objectives of such remedial actions. In
addition, public and community education initiatives should be undertaken to
reinforce the benefits of the investment actions.
In order to ensure the ultimate sustainability of the investment actions, funds and
financial mechanisms need to be established and allocated to re-invest in the projects
and maintain the benefits of the initial integrated actions. Thus, monitoring and
enforcement to assess performance is a key element of investment interventions in
this SAP.
While Public-Private-Partnerships are not the focus of the investment actions
identified, their principles are generally favored and have been considered in their
development. This should ensure and support the creation of new enterprises, pool the
best features of the private and public sectors - the dynamism, access to finance,
knowledge of technologies, managerial efficiency, and entrepreneurism of the private
sector with social responsibility, environmental awareness, local knowledge, and job
creation concerns of the public. The Private sector partners must however meet well
defined criteria to qualify for involvement in projects. These will include:
· Willingness to contribute to the cost of the projects feasibility studies from the
outset;
· Willingness to invest in the new ventures when established;
· Experience in operating cleaner technologies to be used in the project;
· Experience in operating in a developing country;
· Support of its own government development agency, if foreign;
· Strong support and advocate of eco-efficiency and local participation;
The overall intention in the actions and interventions is that they should be replicable
as they address problems of common concern in the region and the solutions that they
offer should be easy to transplant as vital and positive examples of "how to". The
listing of priority investment actions in this SAP shall include the following:
3.3.1
Achieve sustainable fisheries
· Conduct regular joint stock assessment surveys;
· Initiate management actions to restore and sustain depleted fish
stocks,including application of the precautionary approach;
· conduct feasibility assessments for recovery and sustainability of species at
risk from over fishing and/or climate change within the GCLME, for ensuring
recovery and sustainability of artisanal and industrial fishing;
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· Integrate a fisheries recovery and sustainability management plan;
· Promote various technologies on extensive, semi-intensive and intensive
aquaculture in the region;
· Promote and demonstrate mechanisms to reduce by-catch;
· In collaboration with the fishing industry, promote innovative designs, and
fabrication of by-catch reduction devices for use by industrial shrimping
vessels;
· Implement demonstration projects for nypa palm utilization and mangrove
products involving local communities and entrepreneurs;
· Promote eco-tourism through livelihood generation from eco-services and
appropriate ecological products.
· Promote and support alternative livelihood activities for coastal and artisanal
fishermen;
· Promote the establishment of environmentally sustainable estuarine and
coastal shrimp farming in line with FAO, UNEP, NACA, WB, WWF,
guidelines.
3.3.2
High quality water to sustain balanced ecosystem
· Implement a first periodic assessment (3-year interval) of the water quality
and trends;
· Develop and implement simple primary treatment infrastructure for the
management of domestic wastewater;
· Provide secondary sewage treatment to targeted coastal urban populations;
· Promote tertiary waste treatment technology, where appropriate, in highly
industrialized coastal cities;
· Promote cooperative waste stock exchange centers in industrialized coastal
cities;
· Work with the organized private sector on business plans for waste
management through informal recycling and reuse of industrial waste with
viability as small-scale commercial enterprises;
· Work with the private sector to leverage financing for implementing
wastewater discharge controls in targeted areas;
· Implement demonstration projects to bring best available technology and
practice to industrial discharges (e.g. pre-treatment, source control, process
control);
· Promote construction of reception facilities for marine debris / wastewater at
ports.
3.3.3
Balanced habitats for sustainable ecology and
environment
· Develop and implement action plans for the ecologically sensitive areas which
are vulnerable to human activities;
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· Promote Best Environmental Practices / Best Available Technologies for
agriculture to reduce discharge of nutrients;
· Implement demonstration projects for phosphate reduction in phosphate
effluent;
· Promote soft engineering options suitable for rehabilitation of eroded
coastlines and coastal areas within the region;
· Encourage and ensure participation of private sector, communities and non-
governmental organizations in the rehabilitation and restoration for PADH
hotspots;
· Work with the private sector for alternative local building materials,
particularly low-cost options (e.g. clay, laterite, etc,), to reduce coastal sand
mining.
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4
NATIONAL ACTION PLANS
Each member country will review and update the National Action Plan (NAP) which
will form an integral part of this SAP. Each NAP shall identify a suite of measures
and present details of national actions for environmental protection and sustainable
use of natural resources that will be taken to effectively address strategic
transboundary issues and the most urgent environmental concerns at the national
level.
Each NAP will include cost data to take full account of the cost estimates of financing
the implementation of actions required in the short, medium and long-term and any
additional funding to strengthen the financial sustainability and ensure the prompt and
adequate provision of funding for priority environmental actions identified in the
NAP/SAP.
The NAP as the overarching framework for coastal and marine environmental
management at the country level, will incorporate pertinent proposed policy reforms
and investment actions already identified in the various action plans (National
Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP), NPAs, POPs / NIPs, ICARM), for the
avoidance of duplication. Each NAP is to be adopted and endorsed by the relevant by-
laws to be enacted by each member country of the GCLME and therefore represent
the major tool that shall facilitate the implementation of the SAP at the national level.
The successful implementation of the NAPs will therefore enable the achievement of
the objectives of the SAP.
IGCC will support Member Countries to formulate and implement NAPs for the
successful national level implementation of the SAP, and where necessary provide
national and regional training for achieving same.
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5
FINANCE AND REVIEW
5.1 Financing the Strategic Action Programme for the
Next Five Years
The total investment cost of financing the implementation of actions required to
recover and sustain the goods and services of the GCLME as identified in this SAP
(Annexes IV and V) will include cost data to be provided from the NAPs to take full
account of cost estimates made from the perspective of the long-term objectives of the
SAP. This will be achieved through:
(a) Domestic Resource Mobilization
In continuation of the on-going efforts by member countries to seek
additional funding for sustainable implementation of identified priority
actions within the NAPs, member countries shall strengthen their
commitment by providing or increasing their national budget allocations.
(b) Contributions from Partner Organizations
To support/secure matching funds, member countries will equally seek the
necessary funding for the actions agreed upon in this SAP and NAPs from
national, regional and international sources and mobilize resources from
private and general public funding for sustainable financing or through the
application of appropriate economic incentives/ instruments where possible.
Donor conferences for assisting in this process shall be held for
commitments to the SAP implementation. Specific funding arrangements for
national policies and measures agreed on in this Strategic Action Programme
shall be presented in the NAPs to be endorsed by each of the Member
countries. Donor financing including loans, and export credits is envisaged
where appropriate.
Self-sustaining financing at the national level shall include economic
incentives (ecosystem services, taxes, debt swap, etc); self-sustaining
activities (e.g. sewage plants, waste oil recycling, etc); private sector
financing; trust funds (ecological, environmental education, etc); revolving
funds from industries and governments; user fees; counterpart funds from
fisheries agreement; access penalties; and polluter pays principle. Innovative
community based financial instruments will be devised and tested to enhance
community participation and financing of SAP activities. This shall include
innovative financing and user fees for goods and services (e.g. wells, fishing
terminals, etc) for improving the health and sustainability of the GCLME
The strengthening of public-private partnership arrangements designed to
encourage the active involvement of governance bodies, business community
and civil society is seen as a potential option for improving the existing
situation. Financial sustainability of the SAP will be ensured through the
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introduction of new specific economic instruments designed to encourage
environmental investments. In all cases the magnitude of financial need will
be determined by appropriate costing / valuation. The demonstration
activities will also be used to test the financing mechanisms.
5.2
Monitoring, Review and Reporting on the Implementation of the SAP
It is recognized that the provision of adequate arrangements for monitoring and
evaluation is a key to ensuring the successful implementation of this SAP. The IGCC
(and later the GCC) through the technical advisory groups and /or any other Experts
or bodies to be appointed as recommended by the Executive Secretary, shall be
responsible for monitoring and reviewing the progress of the SAP implementation
every five years, and updating it in line with reality as found necessary.
The monitoring and evaluation process shall be to ensure that the objectives of the
project are met, to ascertain the extent of achievement of the objectives, and identify
areas where the projects did not meet its objectives, reasons for not meeting the
objectives so as to proffer alternative ways of meeting the objectives. To this end, the
IGCC and later the GCC will initiate socioeconomic impact assessments of the
components of the SAP actions. Thus anticipatory or ex-ante (before the projects)
analysis or ex-post (after the projects) procedures will be adopted by the IGCC and
later the GCC in the assessment of the GCLME projects.
In addition, as the SAP implementation is projected for a period of 10 years, a mid
term review after 5 years) will be conducted by the IGCC (and later GCC) in
conjunction with member countries and partners to assess the progress in SAP
implementation and the need for updating the SAP.
At the national level, the governmental bodies responsible for the formulation and
implementation of national environmental policies and coordination of national
environmental monitoring efforts will play a major role in the SAP monitoring and
control of the SAP/NAP implementation on the basis of relevant measurable and
quantifiable performance indicators (Annex III).
The National governments and IGCC (later GCC) will use the monitoring results/data
to publish the `State of Coast" (SOC) Report on annual basis based on a uniform
reporting template.
5.3
Replication and Up scaling mechanism for demonstration projects
The six national and three regional demonstration projects being implemented at an
early stage in Project execution are the following:
1) Marine Protected Area Management (Benin)
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2) Integrated Coastal Area and River Basin Management (ICARM) for
Kribi-Limbe Region (Cameroon)
3)
Low-cost protection from coastal erosion (Côte d'ivoire)
4)
Waste Stock Exchange Management System (Ghana)
5) Nipa
Palm
Utilization
and
Mangrove Restoration (Nigeria)
6)
Reduction of Nutrient Discharges (Togo)
7) Sustainable
Management
of
Fisheries in the GCLME Region
8) Marine
Productivity Assessment
9) Information
and
Data Management System
The demonstration projects above will be replicated in other areas of the region as
they address problems of common concern in the region and offer solutions that are
easy to transplant as vital and positive examples of "how to" and lessons learned in
project implementation. Such lessons learned and best practice examples will take
advantage of mechanism such as IW: LEARN for maximum benefits. In order to
ensure the effective replication of these demonstration projects, the approved projects
were guided and met the following clear and specific criteria:
· Be demand-driven and address a priority problem;
· Fully involve the public/community and private sectors from the outset;
· Demonstrate a strong potential for attracting private-sector participation,
including the possibility of reasonable profitability;
· Provide opportunity for improving local social conditions through job
creation, training and overall improvement of living conditions;
· Respect local cultural and traditional values;
· Involve local stakeholders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and
community groups in its development; and fully inform the community of the
implications and constraints in terms of quality of service, cost of investment
(community contribution), tariffs and user fees, and management complexity;
· Encourage technology, process and knowledge transfer to enable the ability to
adapt learning from projects within the investment action to similar or other
projects;
· Establish a lead agency / institution for the execution and implementation with
clear mandate to oversee the deployment and accountability of funds for the
project;
· Obtain commitment for replication within the country and region as positive
proof of success / performance.
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6
ARRANGEMENT FOR FUTURE CO-
OPERATION
Member countries are committed to the implementation of this SAP over the next five
to ten year period to its continuation beyond the GEF intervention for the programme
to lead to long-term measures to sustain and protect the GCLME. They will jointly
adopt appropriate legislation, implement economic incentives and /or instruments and
establish a permanent Guinea Current Commission (GCC) with a fullyfunctional
secretariat. A financial plan that will ensure sustainable funding will be prepared and
finalized for commitments to the programme.
The GCLME programme will promote strong links with pertinent institutions, non-
governmental organizations and the organized private sectors within Member
Countries to promote the overall objective of the maintenance of optimum sustainable
use and long-term protection of the marine and coastal areas in both the economic and
social context for economic development and poverty reduction within the region
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ANNEXES
ANNEX I: THE STRUCTURE OF THE INTERIM GUINEA
CURRENT COMMISSION
The Interim Guinea Current Commission (IGCC) will subsume the present GCLME
Project and in accordance with the recommendations of the First Ministerial meeting
(21-22 September 2006) held in Abuja, comprise of three key organs, namely:
a) the Council of Ministers,
b) the Steering Committee, and
c) the Executive Secretariat
The Council of Ministers is composed of Ministers designated by their respective
Countries to serve on the IGCC/GCC. The Council of Ministers will inter alia
supervise the implementation of this SAP, establish such bodies as required to
support activities and processes related to its implementation, and mandate any other
organ of the Commission to carryout specific tasks.
The Steering Committee, consists of one high-level official country representative
from each of the sixteen countries (not below the rank of a Director), one
representative each from AU (STRC) and AfDB, US-NOAA, FAO, IMO, the Centre
for Environment and Development in Africa (CEDA) in Benin, and the Foundation
for Environmental Development and Education in Nigeria (FEDEN) (representing
NGO's, CBO's and the Civil Society), and representatives of the GEF Agencies
(UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO) and representatives from the Private sector. The
representative of the FAO will be included on the Steering Committee during the full
project implementation to coordinate regional fisheries and environmental
management efforts and with other regional fisheries commissions and programmes.
The Steering Committee will oversee the implementation of the full project, reviewing
annual progress, the following year's work plan and budget, and providing overall
strategic and policy guidance. The Steering Committee will meet once a year to, inter
alia, constitute and define TOR's for regional and national Scientific/Technical
Advisory Committees, define modalities for setting up the country Inter-ministerial
Committees, and formulate a Work Plan and Timetable for the Activities scheduled
during the year.
The country Inter-ministerial Committees, whose main task is to promote and give
validity to the cross-sectoral approach implied in the LME concept at the national
level will meet on an as-needed basis to be informed of the work of the Steering
Committee, to review the progress of national Scientific/Technical Advisory
Committees charged with the implementation of project activities at the country level
and to facilitate important country political level commitment to the implementation of
the project including sourcing for donor support.
Annex I
33
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
The composition and functioning of the regional and national Scientific/Technical
Advisory Committees is crucial to the success of the project. The demonstration
projects for national execution in the six pilot phase countries will be placed under the
supervision of the national Inter-Ministerial Committees while the three regional
demonstration projects will be ecosystem-wide, embracing all sixteen GCLME
countries and guided by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will also
maintain oversight of the implementation of the national demonstration projects.
The former GCLME Project Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) with its complement
of staff have been absorbed by the Executive Secretariat of the IGCC which is now
headed by the present Regional Director with a new designation as Executive
Secretary of the IGCC.
The Executive Secretary will perform all such tasks as delegated by the Council of
Ministers and Steering Committee and in particular:
(i)
Co-ordinate and administer the Commission's activity including work
schedule, contract preparations, financial management, auditing and
preparation of annual reviews;
(ii)
Assume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of an electronic
communication system for the purposes of facilitating interactions
between the components of the GCLME institutional network;
(iii)
Liaise with Activity Centres / Centres of Excellence to provide
information on bibliography, data sources, status of the ecosystem,
environmental variability, assessment and monitoring activities;
(iv)
Organize at least once a year, scientific conference based on the results
of work programme and assessment of the status of the GCLME.
(v)
Report on the progress on SAP implementation to the Steering
Committee and Council of Ministers at their yearly meeting.
(vi)
Responsible for the day to day running of the Secretariat.
Annex I
34
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
ANNEX II : RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE INTERIM GUINEA
CURRENT COMMISSION
ACTIVITY CENTRES ASSOCIATED WITH THE GUINEA CURRENT
LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME
(GCLME-SAP)
A major part of the GCLME SAP activities will be implemented by a network of
specialist institutions coordinated by Centers of Excellence. Five Member Countries
have agreed to host at least one of each of these centers. These Centers are based in
national institutions with adequate capacity to host the type of activities to be
assigned. These Centres will continue to work closely with the Executive Secretariat
of the IGCC (later GCC) in order to establish links with the national focal points i.e.
specialized institutions in each country appointed by governments to participate in
each of the networks. With the support of the Executive Secretariat, the Activity
Centers shall organize Working Parties, conduct relevant training and present
recommendations to the Programme Steering Committee.
The Six Centers are as follows;
Activity Center 1:
Environmental Information Management and Decision Support
System (based in Lagos, Nigeria)
Activity Center 2:
Marine Productivity and Biodiversity (based in Accra, Ghana)
Activity Center 3:
Fisheries and Other Living Resources (based in Luanda,
Angola)
Activity Center 4:
Regional Center of Excellence for Pollution Management
(based in Owerri, Nigeria)
Activity Center 5:
Risk Assessment and Early Warning System (based in
Libreville, Gabon).
Activity Centre 6:
Oil Spill Contingency and Emergency Response
Annex II
35
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
ANNEX III : MEASURABLE AND QUANTIFIABLE
INDICATORS FOR THE GCLME
Environmental Indicators are a tool used to assure precise evaluation of achievement
or satisfaction of the target, demonstrating which metric will be used in the
evaluation. Environmental indicators may be of three types, according to GEF
terminology: Process Indicator, Stress Reduction Indicator, or Environmental Status
Indicator. The timeframe for the targets has been set within a five-to-fifteen year
period to ensure that SAP activities fulfill the objectives and targets of the
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), and the Millennium Development
Goals (MDG).
1) Achieve Sustainable Fisheries
Targets
·
Populations of threatened species stabilized and/or recovered by 2015
·
Fish populations restored to levels of mid-1970s by 2020 (based on the
quality of data)
·
All commercially important fish species being fished sustainably with
minimum by-catch and habitat impacts by 2020
MEASURABLE AND QUANTIFIABLE INDICATORS:
o Provision of current stock assessment data and updated data from periodic
assessment;
o Provision of data on status of vulnerable species and habitats;
o Provision of access to reliable monitoring information on stock level including
transboundary straddling stock;
o Increase in abundance of native and endemic fish species;
o Increased harvesting and utilization of under-utilized species;
o Reduction of by-catch of commercially important fish species;
o Reduction of habitat impacts;
o Reduction in the number of threatened / endangered species;
o Increased fish production from mariculture;
o Increased proportion of population with access to fish and fisheries products from
the region or increased per capita consumption of fish;
o Increased opportunities for alternative sustainable livelihoods for fisher folks;
o Ratification of a multilateral agreement by the countries on enforcement of quotas,
size limits, seasons, etc. including existing Fisheries Acts and Regulations of FAO
Code of Practice.
2) High Quality Water to Sustain Balanced Ecosystem
Targets
·
Reduce annual inputs of all priority land and sea-based pollutants to
the marine environment by at least 10% by 2015
Annex III
36
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
·
Measurably improve water quality in two priority coastal hotspots in
each country by 2015
MEASURABLE AND QUANTIFIABLE INDICATORS:
o Reduction in chemical pollution of anthropogenic origin;
o Reduction in solid and hazardous wastes entering coastal waters through
dumping;
o Reduction in pollution load from diffuse (non-point) sources;
o Reduction in damage caused by the harmful effects of wastewaters;
o Availability of objective monitoring information on water quality and
ecological status of water bodies in the region;
o Reduction in sea-based pollution;
o Sustainable cross-border cooperation / partnership on ballast water
management based on multilateral agreements signed under the Glo-ballast
Partnership and Programmes.
3) Balanced Habitats for Sustainable Ecology and Environment
Targets
·
Zero net loss of mangroves by 2015
·
Reduced aerial coverage of eutrophied lagoons by 50% by 2015
·
Measurably reduced coastal erosion at five sites by 2015
MEASURABLE AND QUANTIFIABLE INDICATORS:
Increase in :
- mangrove cover along the coast, deltas, lagoons and estuaries;
- area of restored mangrove forest /swamps;
- area of restored wetlands;
- number and area of protected sites;
- abundance in native and endemic fish species.
Increases in innovative utilization of Nypa palm;
Successes recorded in mangrove restoration;
Reduction in the number of endangered / threatened species;
Reduction in area coverage of eutrophied lagoons;
Reduction in nutrient discharge;
Measurable reduction of coastal erosion at priority sites within the region;
Incorporation of integrated Coastal Area and River Basin Management (ICARM)
principles into environmental legislation;
Increased level of participation of local authorities, local communities, and the wider
public for conservation and protection of critical habitats, preparation and
implementation of environmental programmes.
Annex III
37
ANNEX IV : MAJOR ISSUES, TARGETS, AND INTERVENTIONS
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
Sustainable
Populations of
Fill gaps in knowledge
Complete assessment of status of vulnerable species
Fisheries
threatened species
and habitats
Scientific
stabilized and/or
Investigation
recovering by 2010
Develop and agree on
Develop management plans, and implement and
management plans for all
monitor them with local communities and user
Legislative/
major fisheries by 2010,
groups
Regulatory
including urgent measures for
threatened species by 2008
Annex
Designate, conserve/ protect
Establish marine protected areas for critical
habitats critical to the
spawning grounds and habitats of threatened or
Policy
fisheries by 2008
endangered species
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
IV
Develop and implement
Prepare a regional biodiversity strategy document,
regional biodiversity strategy
including a gap analysis, and obtain endorsement by
Policy
riparian states
Implement biodiversity strategy, including species
Scientific
specific action plans
Investigation/
Investment
Fish
populations
Reduce uncertainty regarding
Assess feasibility of using information from the
restored to levels
ecosystem status and yields
PIRATA moored buoy array in the tropical Atlantic
Scientific
of mid-1970s by
to enhance understanding of the links between
Strate
Investigation
2020 (based on the
weather, climate and fish
quality of data)
Develop community projects for cost effective
gic A
environmental information gathering and
Capacity Building
environmental education
c
tion Programme
Analyse plankton archives and other (oceanographic) Scientific
data collections for baseline information to measure
Investigation
decadal change
Develop links with CLIVAR (Climate Variability
Institutional
and Predictability Project of the World Climate
Strengthening
38 38
Research Programme) and CLIVAR Africa and with
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System of the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of
UNESCO) and GOOS-Africa
Adapt/develop
predictive mathematical models
Scientific
applicable to the region
Investigation
Establish regional advisory groups and networking
Institutional
centres
Strengthening
Establish links with the Canary and Benguela
Current LMEs
Capacity Building
Complete effective regional
Establish an annual regional forum for stock
stock assessment by 2007 and assessment, ecosystem assessment and information
Scientific
Annex
repeat every five years
sharing on harmonization of management actions and Investigation
thereafter
co-management
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
Exchange environmental data Develop agreements and technology basis for the
IV
and information
free and regular exchange of environmental data and
Data Management
information within the region
Improve ability to respond to
Develop regional early warning system, assessment
Scientific
ecosystem fluctuations
and prediction capability
Investigation
Establish joint response policies
Policy
Strengthen legal basis for
Assure that legislation regulating fishing gear,
fisheries management
quotas, size limits, seasons and allowed fishing areas
Strate
Legislative/
are in place
Regulatory
gic A
Help harmonize fishing regulations amongst
GCLME countries
c
Policy
tion Programme
39 39
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
Establish "no take zones" either geographically or
seasonally
Legislative/
Regulatory
Develop and initiate
Strengthen enforcement of quotas, size limits,
implementation of monitoring seasons, etc., relying on community-based fishery
and enforcement plan (MEP)
management activities, including existing Fisheries
Policy
by 2010 and achieve effective Acts and/or regulation of FAO Code of Practice to
monitoring and enforcement
reduce overharvesting
by 2012
Develop site-specific or
Develop management plans, and implement and
Legislative/
Annex
species-specific management
monitor them with local communities and user
Regulatory
plans that promote
groups
sustainable utilization and
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
IV
protect nursery or
reproduction areas
Strengthen
capacity
of local communities to
Institutional
implement and monitor management plans
Strengthening
All
commercially
Fill gaps in knowledge
Establish current levels and patterns of trade of
Scientific
important fish
selected species
Investigation
species being
fished sustainably
Strate
with minimum by-
catch and habitat
impacts by 2020
gic A
Establish distribution and abundance
Scientific
Investigation
c
tion Programme
Identify areas where species are and are not
Scientific
threatened by over-exploitation
Investigation
Establish criteria for "healthy" situation
Scientific
Investigation
40 40
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
Enhance
food security by
Conduct a feasibility assessment for particular
using alternative sources such species in certain areas of the region
Investment
as aquaculture/mariculture by
2015
Formulate harmonized regional mariculture policy
Policy
Conduct training in sustainable community-based
mariculture
Capacity Building
Promote establishment of extensive, semi-intensive
and intensive fish culture and shrimp farming
Investment
Improve
fisheries
Establish regional fisheries commission
Policy
Annex
management
Provide
alternative
Develop and demonstrate mechanisms to reduce by-
technologies
catch
Investment
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
IV
Promote innovative designs and fabrication of by-
catch reduction devices for use by industrial
Investment
shrimping vessels.
Implement demonstration projects for nipa palm
utilization and mangrove products involving local
Investment
communities and entrepreneurs.
Promote eco-tourism through livelihood generation
from eco-services, and ecological products.
Investment
Strate
High quality
Reduce annual
Develop effective regional
Develop common regional guidelines for periodic
water to
inputs of all
monitoring, database
assessment of water quality
gic A
sustain
priority land and
reporting and appropriate
balanced
sea-based
networking
Legislative/
c
ecosystem
pollutants to the
Regulatory
tion Programme
marine
environment by at
least 10% by 2015
Estimate the carrying capacity of the coastal waters
Scientific
41
using an ecosystem-based approach
Investigation
41
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
Implement a first periodic assessment (3-year
interval) of the water quality and trends
Investment
Fill gaps in knowledge of
Conduct regional assessment of priority land-based
priority pollutants
activities, sources of contaminants and pollutant
Scientific
(contaminant levels) and
levels
Investigation
major sources of pollutants
(contaminant inputs)
Provide training in
Assess regional training needs
monitoring and assessment
Capacity Building
Devise and implement appropriate training courses
appropriate for the needs of the region
Capacity Building
Annex
Improve networking among professionals in the
region through for a and exchanges
Capacity Building
Establish
regional
Establish regional working group to decide upon
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
IV
environmental quality
environmental quality standards
Policy
standards (REQSs)
Harmonize
national
Conduct national review of policy, legal and
legislation into regional
regulatory frameworks and institutional structure for
Legislative/
framework for
addressing land-based activities
Regulatory
implementation to support
water quality objectives
Develop common regional guidelines containing
appropriate recommendations for decision makers
Scientific
Strate
for management of land-based point and non-point
Investigation
pollutant sources
Develop realistic National Plans of Action for land-
gic A
based sources and activities
Capacity Building
Develop and obtain approval for Protocol to the
c
tion Programme
Abidjan Convention on Land-Based Activities and
Policy
Sources of Pollution
Develop and enforce regulations on the disposal of
Legislative/
industrial and mining effluents
Regulatory
42 42
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
Facilitate exchange of data
Develop data and information network and
and information on water
management system
Data Management
quality in the GCLME
Provide investments in
Develop and implement simple primary treatment
sewage treatment,
infrastructure for use by homesteads
environmentally sound
technologies and cleaner
production options for
Investment
minimization of industrial
discharges to reduce inputs of
heavy metals, POPs,
excessive nutrients and other
Annex
priority pollutants
Provide secondary sewage treatment to targeted
coastal urban populations
Investment
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
IV
Work with private sector to leverage financing for
implementing wastewater discharge controls in
Investment
targeted areas
Promote tertiary waste treatment technology where
appropriate in highly industrialized coastal cities
Investment
Promote cooperative waste stock exchange centres in
industrialized coastal cities
Investment
Undertake awareness programme involving
Strate
government and the organized private sector on
waste management through informal recycling and
Investment
reuse of industrial products with viability as small-
gic A
scale commercial enterprises.
Implement demonstration projects to bring best
c
technology and practice to industrial discharges (e.g., Investment
tion Programme
pre-treatment, source control, process control)
Strengthen the capacity of institutions to enforce
Institutional
mining and industry regulations
Strengthening
Implement actions to reduce
Coordinate with GEF international ballast water
Capacity Building
43
sea-based pollution inputs
management project to mitigate the impacts of
43
ballast water in the GCLME
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
Develop regional policy for addressing sea-based
Policy
pollution
Promote construction of reception facilities for
Investment
marine debris/wastewater at ports
Determine and satisfy
Conduct survey on training needs and conduct
training needs in region for
training in land-based activities and sources (for high Capacity Building
land-based activities and
officials, mid-level government, community, experts,
sources
industry, etc.)
Develop
educational
Conduct survey on educational needs to support
programs at all levels on
reduction of land-based activities and sources and
Capacity Building
land-based activities and
implement the activities to address three top priority
Annex
sources
regional educational needs, in appropriate languages
Develop
Regional/
Integrate private sector into activities of this project
Governmental/ Private
as appropriate as sub-contractor, consultant or co-
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
IV
Sector/ Public Sector
sponsor of specific activities
Policy
partnerships on land-based
activities and sources
Working with private sector, identify and secure
financing to replicate the demonstration projects in
Policy
other areas of the region
Identify, strengthen and
Develop a public participation and awareness (PPA)
involve stakeholders in land-
workplan for the Project
Capacity Building
based sources issues in the
Strate
region
Measurably
Fill gaps in knowledge of
Undertake assessment of coastal areas in order to
improve water
coastal water quality hotspots determine priority coastal hotspots
gic A
quality in two
Scientific
priority coastal
Investigation
c
hotspots in each
tion Programme
country by 2010
Develop
site-specific
Undertake a participatory planning process for each
management plans through a
hotspot to identify challenges and locally acceptable
Capacity Building
participatory process which
management mechanisms
includes local communities
44 44
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
Balanced
Zero net loss of
Fill gaps in knowledge of
Collect and/or verify baseline data on extent,
habitats for
mangroves by
priority for protection of
diversity, local uses of mangrove products and
Scientific
sustainable
2015
mangrove forests
management challenges
Investigation
ecology and
environment
Inventory, replant and
Develop national mangrove management strategies/
Policy
monitor the rate of restoration plans/ frameworks (including community
(e.g., mangroves)
participation and empowerment)
Undertake a participatory planning process for each
Capacity Building
selected mangrove site of global and ecoregional
importance to identify challenges and locally
acceptable management mechanisms
Annex
Link with international mangrove conservation
Capacity Building
initiatives
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
IV
Harmonize
national
Conduct national review of policy, legal and
Legislative/
legislation into regional
regulatory frameworks, and institutional structure for Regulatory
framework for
addressing protection of critical habitats
implementation to protect
critical habitat such as
mangroves
Draft Regional EIA process review in a regional
Legislative/
workshop; adopt regional EIA
Regulatory
Strengthen local capacity to
Strengthen the capacity of NGO's and CBO's for
Capacity Building
Strate
protect habitats
community-based conservation measures
Promote alternatives to
Implement local training programs through
Capacity Building
gic A
mangrove harvesting
agricultural extension offices promoting alternatives
to harvesting and cutting of mangroves
Prevention of adverse human
Evaluate sensitivity of areas and habitats in the
Scientific
c
tion Programme
activity on sensitive areas
GCLME and evaluate levels of human impacts on
Investigation
them
If necessary, develop legislation for the protection of
Legislative/
areas not currently covered or included in protected
Regulatory
zones
45 45
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
Develop and implement action plans for those
sensitive areas where human impact is adverse
Investment
Reduced
areal
Quantify the levels of
Undertake assessment of eutrophication in GCLME
coverage of
eutrophication of lagoons and lagoons Scientific
eutrophied lagoons initiate effective monitoring
Investigation
by 50% by 2015
Develop
concrete
Develop national lagoon management
management plans with
strategies/plans/ frameworks (including community
supporting legislation for
participation and empowerment)
Policy
priority eutrophic sites,
including investment
Annex
activities
Reduce agricultural inputs to
Develop Best Environmental Practices/Best
eutrophic sites
Available Technologies for agriculture to reduce
Investment
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
IV
discharge of nutrients
Work through agricultural extension offices to ensure
that farmers are implementing practices to reduce
Capacity Building
nutrient discharge
Implement demonstration projects for phosphate
reduction.
Investment
Implement actions to reduce
Develop HAB reporting system for the GCLME
impacts of HABs
region
Data Management
Strate
Conduct
community awareness projects linked to
national ministries of health to alert the public to the
Capacity Building
dangers associated with HABs
gic A
Develop national/regional HAB contingency plans
which include early warning systems and guidelines
Institutional
for medical practitioners to deal with HAB-
Strengthening
c
tion Programme
associated problems
Improve national capacity to analyze for toxins and
identify harmful species by sharing expertise
Capacity Building
between countries
46 46
Major
Type of
Targets Activities
Interventions
Issues
Intervention
Halt the spread of aquatic
Develop national and regional aquatic weed
weeds
management strategies/ plans/ frameworks combined Policy
with monitoring and GIS capabilities
Measurably
Fill gaps in knowledge
Conduct assessment of the effects of infrastructure
reduced coastal
on coastal erosion on the Guinea Current coast
Scientific
erosion at five sites
Investigation
by 2010
Develop regional agreement
Through regional fora, agree upon regional policies
on co-management of
for sediment sharing and its restoration
Policy
sediment transport
Develop coastal erosion
Devise national management structure/ framework/
management plan through a
plan for addressing coastal erosion
Capacity Building
Annex
participatory process
Promote soft engineering options suitable for
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
rehabilitation of eroded coastlines and coastal areas
Investment
IV
within the region.
Encourage community participation in coastal habitat
rehabilitation and restoration for hot spots of PADH
Investment
involving, NGOs and CBOs.
Work with private sector for alternative local
building materials particularly low-cost options to
Investment
reduce coastal sand mining (e.g. Clay, laterite, etc).
Promote
environmental and community-based
Strate
tourism
Capacity Building
Strengthen legal basis for
Review, harmonize and strengthen relevant local and Legislative/
protection of coastline
national policies and legislation regarding coastal
gic A
Regulatory
zone and river basin management
c
tion Programme
47 47
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
ANNEX V: PRIORITY ACTIONS WITHIN EACH CATEGORY
OF INTERVENTION
Category Major
Issues
Interventions
Policy Actions I. Sustainable Fisheries
Establish Marine Protected Areas for critical spawning
grounds and habitats of threatened or endangered species
Prepare a regional biodiversity strategy document, including
a gap analysis, and obtain endorsement by riparian states
Establish joint response policies
Strengthen enforcement of quotas, size limits, seasons, etc.,
relying on community-based fishery management activities,
including existing Fisheries Acts and/or regulation of FAO
Code of Conduct to reduce over harvesting
Help harmonize fishing Policies amongst GCLME countries
Formulate harmonized regional mariculture policy
Establish regional fisheries commission
II. High quality water to
Establish regional working group to decide upon
sustain balanced ecosystem
environmental quality standards
Ratify and accede to the Protocol on Land-Based Activities
and Sources of Pollution of the Abidjan Convention
Develop regional policy for addressing sea-based pollution
Integrate private sector into activities of this project as
appropriate as sub-contractor, consultant or co-sponsor of
specific activities
Working with private sector, identify and secure financing
to replicate the demonstration projects in other areas of the
region
III. Balanced habitats for
Develop national mangrove management strategies/ plans/
sustainable ecology and
frameworks (including community participation and
environments
empowerment)
Develop national lagoon management strategies/plans/
frameworks (including community participation and
empowerment)
Develop national and regional aquatic weed management
strategies/ plans/ frameworks combined with monitoring
and GIS capabilities
Through regional meetings, agree upon regional policies for
sediment sharing and its restoration
Legislative /
I. Sustainable Fisheries
Develop management plans, and implement and monitor
Regulatory
them with local communities and user groups
Actions
Assure that legislation regulating fishing gear, quotas, size
limits, seasons and allowed fishing areas are in place
Establish "no take zones" either geographically or
seasonally
Develop management plans, and implement and monitor
them with local communities and user groups
II. High quality water to
Develop common regional guidelines for periodic
sustain balanced ecosystem
assessment of water quality
Conduct national review of policy, legal and regulatory
frameworks and institutional structure for addressing land-
based activities
Annex V
48
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
Category Major
Issues
Interventions
Develop and enforce regulations on the disposal of
industrial and mining effluents
III. Balanced habitats for
Conduct national review of policy, legal and regulatory
sustainable ecology and
frameworks, and institutional structure for addressing
environments
protection of critical habitats
Draft Regional EIA process review in a regional workshop;
adopt regional EIA procedure
If necessary, develop legislation for the protection of areas
not currently covered or included in protected zones
Review, harmonize and strengthen relevant local and
national policies and legislation regarding Integrated
Coastal Area and River basin Management (ICARM)
Institutional
I. Sustainable Fisheries
Develop links with CLIVAR (Climate Variability and
Strengthening
Predictability Project of the World Climate Research
Actions
Programme) and CLIVAR Africa and with GOOS (Global
Ocean Observing System of the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO) and GOOS-
Africa
Establish regional advisory groups and networking centres
Strengthen
capacity of local communities to implement and
monitor management plans
II. High quality water to
Strengthen the capacity of institutions to enforce mining and
sustain balanced ecosystem
industry regulations
III. Balanced habitats for
Develop national/regional HAB contingency plans which
sustainable ecology and
include early warning systems and guidelines for medical
environments
practitioners to deal with HAB-associated problems
Capacity
I. Sustainable Fisheries
Develop community projects for cost effective
Building
environmental information gathering and environmental
Actions
education
Conduct training in sustainable community-based
mariculture
II. High quality water to
Assess regional training needs
sustain balanced ecosystem
Devise and implement appropriate training courses
appropriate for the needs of the region
Improve networking among professionals in the region
through meetings and exchanges
Develop realistic National Plans of Action for land-based
sources and activities
Conduct survey on training needs and conduct training in
land-based activities and sources (for high officials, mid-
level government, community, experts, industry, etc.)
Conduct survey on educational needs to support reduction
of land-based activities and sources and implement the
activities to address three top priority regional educational
needs, in appropriate languages
Develop a public participation and awareness (PPA)
workplan for the Project
Undertake a participatory planning process for each hotspot
to identify challenges and locally acceptable management
mechanisms
Annex V
49
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
Category Major
Issues
Interventions
III. Balanced habitats for
Undertake a participatory planning process for each selected
sustainable ecology and
mangrove site of global and ecoregional importance to
environments
identify challenges and locally acceptable management
mechanisms
Link with international mangrove conservation initiatives
Strengthen the capacity of NGO's and CBO's for
community-based conservation measures
Implement local training programs through agricultural
extension offices promoting alternatives to harvesting and
cutting of mangroves
Work through agricultural extension offices to ensure that
farmers are implementing practices to reduce nutrient
discharge
Conduct
community
awareness projects linked to national
ministries of health to alert the public to the dangers
associated with HABs
Improve national capacity to analyze for toxins and identify
harmful species by sharing expertise between countries
Devise national management structure/ framework/ plan for
addressing coastal erosion
Promote environmentally sound community-based tourism
development programme
Investment
I. Sustainable Fisheries
Conduct a feasibility assessment for particular species in
Actions
certain areas of the region
Promote establishment of extensive, semi-intensive and
intensive fish culture and shrimp farming
Develop and demonstrate mechanisms to reduce by-catch
II. High quality water to
Implement a first periodic assessment (3-year interval) of
sustain balanced ecosystem
the water quality and trends
Develop and implement simple primary treatment to
manage domestic wastewater
Provide secondary sewage treatment to targeted coastal
urban populations
Work with private sector to leverage financing for
implementing wastewater discharge controls in targeted
areas
Implement demonstration projects to bring best technology
and practice to industrial discharges (e.g., pre-treatment,
source control, process control)
Promote construction of reception facilities for marine
debris/wastewater at ports
III. Balanced habitats for
Develop and implement action plans for those sensitive
sustainable ecology and
areas where human impact is adverse
environment
Develop Best Environmental Practices/Best Available
Technologies for agriculture to reduce discharge of
nutrients
Scientific
I. Sustainable Fisheries
Complete assessment of status of vulnerable species and
Investigation
habitats
Actions
Implement
biodiversity strategy, including species specific
action plans
Annex V
50
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
Category Major
Issues
Interventions
Assess feasibility of using information from the PIRATA
moored buoy array in the tropical Atlantic to enhance
understanding of the links between weather, climate and
fish
Analyse plankton archives and other (oceanographic) data
collections for baseline information to measure decadal
change
Adapt/develop predictive mathematical models applicable
to the region
Establish an annual regional forum for stock assessment,
ecosystem assessment and information sharing on
harmonization of management actions and co-management
Develop regional early warning system, assessment and
prediction capability
Establish current levels and patterns of trade of selected
species
Establish distribution and abundance of species
Identify areas where species are and are not threatened by
over-exploitation
Establish criteria for "healthy" situation
II. High quality water to
Estimate the carrying capacity of the coastal waters using an
sustain balanced ecosystem
ecosystem-based approach
Conduct regional assessment of priority land-based
activities, sources of contaminants and pollutant levels
Develop common regional guidelines containing
appropriate recommendations for decision makers for
management of land-based point and non-point pollutant
sources
Undertake assessment of coastal areas in order to determine
priority coastal hotspots
III. Balanced habitats for
Collect and/or verify baseline data on extent, diversity, local
sustainable ecology and
uses of mangrove products and management challenges
environment
Evaluate sensitivity of areas and habitats in the GCLME and
evaluate levels of human impacts on them
Undertake assessment of eutrophication in GCLME lagoons
Conduct assessment of the effects of infrastructure on
coastal erosion on the Guinea Current coast
Data
I. Sustainable Fisheries
Develop agreements and technology basis for the free and
Management
regular exchange of environmental data and information
Actions
within the region
Promote innovative designs and fabrication of by-catch
reduction devices for use by industrial shrimping vessels.
Implement demonstration projects for nipa palm utilization
and mangrove restoration involving local communities and
entrepreneurs.
Promote eco-tourism through livelihood generation from
eco-services, and ecological products.
II. High quality water to
Develop data and information network and management
sustain balanced ecosystem
system
Promote tertiary waste treatment technology where
appropriate in highly industrialized coastal cities
Annex V
51
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
Category Major
Issues
Interventions
Promote
cooperative waste stock exchange centres in
industrialized coastal cities
Undertake awareness programme involving government and
the organized private sector on waste management through
informal recycling and reuse of industrial products with
viability as small-scale commercial enterprises.
III. Balanced habitats for
Develop HAB reporting system for the GCLME region
sustainable ecology and
environment
Implement demonstration projects for nutrient reduction in
effluent
Promote soft engineering options suitable for rehabilitation
of eroded coastlines and coastal areas within the region.
Encourage community participation in coastal habitat
rehabilitation and restoration for hot spots of PADH
involving, NGOs and CBOs.
Work with private sector for alternative local building
materials particularly low-cost options to reduce coastal
sand mining (e.g. clay, laterite, etc).
Annex V
52
Strategic Action Programme
Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Acknowledgements
53