Abidjan Convention Sustainable Seas Pilot Workshop

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Coastal erosion is an issue along the Gulf of Guinea. Beach at Grand-Bassam (Côte d’Ivoire). Photo: Wouter Rommens.

Group 2 (anglophone) In general, EbM is fairly known especially in the fish- eries sector. In Gambia and Sierra Leone, the concept of EbM is, in general, more known in the fisheries sector than in other sectors, and more known among technical officers than decision makers. In Liberia there is a general lack of awareness of environmen- tal issues, including EbM. The concept is well known among communities in Angola, but application and enforcement are problematic. In Nigeria the concept is generally well known and implemented (although still in its infancy). Nigeria participates in LME pro- jects, fisheries programs and projects and implements EIA laws in the environment and fisheries sectors. Challenges include awareness raising on the concept and the setting up on structures. In some cases the involved agencies do not want to relinquish power or mandates. In Sierra Leone there is a lack of ad- equate policies and implementation. E.g. restrictions on beach sand mining without alternatives. The Fish- eries act is vague on the management side and pro- cedural aspects. In Liberia and Nigeria there is a lack of financial support in government ministries due to budgetary constraints and limitations.

and collaboration due to fear of encroaching on agency mandates. • Interagency coordination caused by organization- al and personnel changes, lack of reporting back • Sharing of information at the institutional level and use of the information • Lack of a relevant data/information base • National level: awareness raising workshop on EbM for policy and decision makers at the highest political level (interministerial). These could initi- ate joint inter-ministerial committees on marine management with joint programs • Specialized communication products on EbM in support of the awareness raising workshops. These products (brochures, reports, …) have to be adapted to the target audience (politicians and decision mak- ers) and should contain relevant maps and figures on the marine environment (including socio-economic aspects) These products should focus on the advan- tages of EbM for socio-economic development. • Mid/long-term: integration of modules on EbM in specialized university curricula on marine management Recommendations

Another challenge includes: • Interagency cooperation for information sharing