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Western Indian Ocean Governments Seek to Reduce Stress on Marine and Coastal Areas from Land-Based Pollution

UNEP Western Indian Ocean Land-Based Sources

By IW:LEARN

April 24^th, 2019

Marine pollution has had a devastating impact on our oceans, collapsing entire ecosystems and jeopardizing the health and livelihoods of dependent communities. As much as 80 per cent of all marine pollution comes from municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes and run-off (known as land-based sources of pollution). Without decisive action from the international community - and as the world’s population continues to grow - marine pollution from land-based sources is only likely to worsen.

The Nairobi Convention (1), administered by UN Environment Programme, offers several opportunities to address land-based pollution through capacity-building, development of tools and guidelines, and support of demonstration projects on critical habitats, water quality and river flows. One of the Nairobi Convention’s projects, WIOSAP (2), is funding several demonstration projects in Western Indian Ocean (WIO) countries to reduce stress on marine and coastal ecosystems from land-based sources and activities. Five countries have submitted 13 concepts so far to WIOSAP’s Project Implementation Unit (PMU), which has recommended all for full proposal development.

In Kenya, proposed projects include building capacity on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in the Malindi-Sabaki Estuary Area, which has been degraded by pollution, encroachment, and other threats. The project aims at conserving the estuary through mangrove rehabilitation, training, solid waste management, and other activities. Kenya also proposed an integrated spatial planning project in Kilifi county, which will improve the county’s sustainable management of its coastal and marine resources. A third project from Kenya seeks to improve the water quality of Mtwapa Creek through an innovative wastewater treatment model at Shimo la Tewa Prison.

Bird View of Kenya Mangrove Forest. Credit: Rob Barnes, GRID-Arendal

South Africa submitted two projects, the first of which focuses on the Swartkops and Buffalo River estuaries. Pollution, which stems from sewage, industries, litter, and other human activities upstream has reached such a high level that the estuaries are now in a state of near disintegration, with high socio-economic, hazard, and health implications for surrounding communities. South Africa plans to investigate the causes and impacts of impaired water quality in the estuaries so that it can develop or improve its national water quality standards and guidelines. Additionally, South Africa’s second project centers around marine litter, which has become a pressing issue for both communities and marine life in the country. Using a ‘Source to Sea’ approach in five river systems in KwaZulu-Natal, the project intends to both reduce litter generation and use river basin-wide interventions to recover litter.

Madagascar, for its part, proposed three projects—one each on critical habitats, water quality, and river flows—which will all take place in the Boeny region. This will allow the government to get a holistic idea of the issues facing marine and coastal ecosystem health. The first project focuses on sustainable management of the mangrove forest through seeking alternatives for communities relying on these trees. The second will look at strengthening the regulatory framework and national capacity for effluent, water, and sediment quality in a river in Mahajanga, the capital of Boeny. Madagascar’s last project seeks to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the quality and quantity of water flows in the Betsiboka River, where there is a high amount of erosion due to human activities upstream.

In Mauritius, one proposed project aims at reducing the vulnerability of seagrass by mapping ecosystems. As seagrasses are breeding and nursery grounds for fish, the project would improve the livelihoods of the fishermen community. Another project wants to restore the native terrestrial habitat and seabird community in Ile Aux Aigrettes by reintroducing the native species to the island. Finally, another project seeks to address the degradation of coral reefs in Mauritius, which would help protect beaches from erosion as well as the fisheries and tourism sectors.

The Seychelles, meanwhile, wants to reduce human threats to critical habitats, particularly coral reefs, in two of its marine national parks on Mahé Island. One of the country’s projects strives to improve water quality within Mahé’s bays through assessments, public education and awareness-raising activities. The Seychelles also has a lack of treatment facilities for the waste produced by livestock production. The goal of a second project is therefore to conduct pilot studies on how to environmentally recycle wastewater in two farming communities on Mahé.

Altogether, the projects will assist WIO countries to improve sustainable management of critical habitats and water flows and enhance water quality. The Nairobi Convention will be receiving proposals from more WIO countries in early 2019.