A Marine Protected Area in Benin Soon: GMES and Africa supporting the process
In order to protect the fisheries and other marine and coastal resources towards food security, Benin has taken a great step in establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Marine protected areas (MPAs) are areas of the seas or oceans, and estuaries that are protected against pollution and overexploitation of resources. MPAs are protected areas that restrict human activities for conservation, usually to safeguard natural or cultural resources. Local, state, territorial, native, regional, national, or international authorities preserve these marine resources, which vary greatly within and between nations.
The fishing industry in Benin is a significant source of economic and social development. Benin is a country in West Africa with a population of 9,607,000 people and a land area of 114,760. It has a 120-kilometre shoreline and extensive marine resources, including a 3,100 km2 continental shelf, 2,750 km2 of which are trawlable and 300 km2 of which are genuinely productive. The lagoons and brackish lakes near the shore, which are easy to reach and spread for over 130,000 hectares, are quite productive. Fisheries were reported to employ about 40 000 people in 2013, with production estimated at 16 200 tonnes. The average yearly fish consumption per person was 13.6 kilograms.
The creation of Marine Protected Areas at Donaten, is part of the framework clearly defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Thus, to create a Marine Protected Area, it is first necessary to identify and describe an ecologically or biologically significant area (EBSA). Then there is a need for the characterization of the EBSA, an activity initiated under the leadership of the “Direction de la Production Halieutique” in charge of fisheries and executed by the “Institut de Recherches Halieutiques et Océanologiques du Bénin” (IRHOB), a partner institution of the University of Ghana, with a mandate to conduct oceanographic and fisheries research.
A national workshop was held on the 28th of July 2021, to review and validate the report of the study conducted. Key actors in the marine environment including, the research team, the academia, port and harbours authorities, ministries, fishermen, NGOs and civil societies were present. The GMES and Africa (marine) project in West Africa that sponsored the research activities were represented by its Communication, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr. Dogbeda M.Y. Azumah.
The study, carried out by national experts including oceanographers, biologists, cartographers, chemists, forestry agronomists and ornithologists, identified enormous potentials as well as threats. The study reveals several vulnerabilities such as illegal activities, depletion of natural resources, and pollution, therefore calling on the government to declare the zone as an MPA as quickly as possible. For instance, the report says: "This is an important migration and nesting area for several species of marine turtles, all of which are threatened nationally and internationally, and more than often, these turtles are endangered by the local communities"
In his opening remarks, Dr. Zacharie Sohou, Director of IRHOB welcomed the synergy between the various institutions to achieve the expected results. "We need sustained action to preserve marine and coastal biodiversity. It is in this context that the creation of Marine Protected Areas is taking place," he said.
The initiative was supported by the GMES-Africa representative, Mr. Azumah: “The creation of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa is essential for the conservation and restoration of our depleted resources. The GMES and Africa at University of Ghana, happily supported this research work financially and technically and we hope that this activity will lead to the establishment of the marine protected area, that it will be well monitored, and then beneficial to the country, the region and the world".
The GMES and Africa project is a continental project co-funded by the European Union and the African Union Commission. The objective is to provide policy and decision-makers with Earth observation information to help them make informed science-based decisions. The GMES and Africa marine consortium in West Africa provides information to 12 coastal countries, including Benin to improve fisheries management, monitor fishing vessels, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, ensure safety at sea for artisanal fishermen, coastal zone mapping, and land use among others.
Sea defence within Donaten, the proposed Marine protected Area
The fishing industry in Benin is a significant source of economic and social development. Benin is a country in West Africa with a population of 9,607,000 people and a land area of 114,760. It has a 120-kilometre shoreline and extensive marine resources, including a 3,100 km2 continental shelf, 2,750 km2 of which are trawlable and 300 km2 of which are genuinely productive. The lagoons and brackish lakes near the shore, which are easy to reach and spread for over 130,000 hectares, are quite productive. Fisheries were reported to employ about 40 000 people in 2013, with production estimated at 16 200 tonnes. The average yearly fish consumption per person was 13.6 kilograms.
The creation of Marine Protected Areas at Donaten, is part of the framework clearly defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Thus, to create a Marine Protected Area, it is first necessary to identify and describe an ecologically or biologically significant area (EBSA). Then there is a need for the characterization of the EBSA, an activity initiated under the leadership of the “Direction de la Production Halieutique” in charge of fisheries and executed by the “Institut de Recherches Halieutiques et Océanologiques du Bénin” (IRHOB), a partner institution of the University of Ghana, with a mandate to conduct oceanographic and fisheries research.
A national workshop was held on the 28th of July 2021, to review and validate the report of the study conducted. Key actors in the marine environment including, the research team, the academia, port and harbours authorities, ministries, fishermen, NGOs and civil societies were present. The GMES and Africa (marine) project in West Africa that sponsored the research activities were represented by its Communication, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr. Dogbeda M.Y. Azumah.
Group picture of stakeholders at the validation workshop
The study, carried out by national experts including oceanographers, biologists, cartographers, chemists, forestry agronomists and ornithologists, identified enormous potentials as well as threats. The study reveals several vulnerabilities such as illegal activities, depletion of natural resources, and pollution, therefore calling on the government to declare the zone as an MPA as quickly as possible. For instance, the report says: "This is an important migration and nesting area for several species of marine turtles, all of which are threatened nationally and internationally, and more than often, these turtles are endangered by the local communities"
A sea turtle saved by an NGO in the EBSA of Donaten, to be released later
In his opening remarks, Dr. Zacharie Sohou, Director of IRHOB welcomed the synergy between the various institutions to achieve the expected results. "We need sustained action to preserve marine and coastal biodiversity. It is in this context that the creation of Marine Protected Areas is taking place," he said.
The initiative was supported by the GMES-Africa representative, Mr. Azumah: “The creation of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa is essential for the conservation and restoration of our depleted resources. The GMES and Africa at University of Ghana, happily supported this research work financially and technically and we hope that this activity will lead to the establishment of the marine protected area, that it will be well monitored, and then beneficial to the country, the region and the world".
The GMES and Africa project is a continental project co-funded by the European Union and the African Union Commission. The objective is to provide policy and decision-makers with Earth observation information to help them make informed science-based decisions. The GMES and Africa marine consortium in West Africa provides information to 12 coastal countries, including Benin to improve fisheries management, monitor fishing vessels, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, ensure safety at sea for artisanal fishermen, coastal zone mapping, and land use among others.
Comments
Post a Comment