Sierra Leone - State of the Marine Environment 2015

4.5. Seabed inner shelf (0–50m)

4.11. Mudflats

The seabed inner shelf is mainly under threat from trawling activities. However, this habitat is in good condition and is improving. 4.6. Seabed outer shelf (50–200m) The seabed outer shelf will possibly be affected in the future from offshore oil extraction activities. However, this habitat is assessed to be currently in very good condition and stable in the past 5 years. 4.7. Water column shoreline (0–20m) Possible threats for the water column in the shallow areas near the shoreline include fishing, waste disposal and habitat degradation due to pollution. However, this habitat is in good condition and is in stable condition the past 5 years. 4.8. Water column inner shelf (20–50m) Possible threats for the water column in the inner shelf areas include fishing activities, waste disposal and habitat degradation due to pollution. This habitat is assessed to be in good condition and stable the past 5 years. 4.9. Water column outer shelf (50–200m) Possible threats for the water column in the outer shelf areas include fishing activities, waste disposal and habitat degradation due to pollution. This habitat is assessed to be in good condition. 4.10. Mangroves Forest resources in the coastal zone are exploited for a variety of uses. Prominent amongst these is the fuel wood trade in mangrove forest wood as well as poles for building and other purposes. Coastal forests are exploited for boat building and handicraft. Oyster farming from mangroves and other hard sub-strata is another activity of coastal dwellers. Oysters are harvested for both commercial and subsistence purposes. Peri-urban agricultural practices are common in Sierra Leone and are a usual feature of the coastal area. Swamp rice is one of the main crops cultivated in the coastal area. In some areas notably in the Kambia district, rice has been cultivated in areas previously occupied by mangroves. Mangrove areas have also been cleared for salt extraction. The mangroves are generally in a good condition alongmost parts of the coastline. In other parts, mangroves have been decimated due to conversion to other uses. The best places are found along parts of the Sierra Leone River Estuary, the Jong and Moa rivers. The worst places include the Scarcies river estuary, Ribbi and Kargboro creeks.

Mudflats in general are in good condition in areas along the Freetown peninsula and parts of the northern and southern sectors of the coastline. However, shelter construction is threatening the stability of mudflats near Freetown. Garbage and debris also contribute to the degradation of mudflats. 4.12. Offshore banks, Shoals and Islands These structural habitat systems currently face little or no pressure and are therefore assessed to be in in very good condition and stable. The confidence in grade is high and for the above submission is derived mainly from project reports and studies as well as from Environmental Impact Assessment studies. 4.13. Coastal lagoons The drainage system consists of a series of rivers fromnorth to south including Great Scarcies, Little Scarcies, Rokel, Jong, Sewa, Moa and Mano and their associated estuaries. The coastal water resources include the bays and estuaries of the rivers of the Rokel (Sierra Leone River), Great and Little Scarcies, Sherbro, Jong, Sewa, Moa andMano. Nearly all these rivers flow parallel to one another right across the country from the high interior plateau in the east towards the lowland coastal areas before debauching into the Atlantic Ocean. In general, coastal lagoons are in very good condition. In some areas, incidents of pollution have been reported although not serious. These areas are found mainly downstream of mining areas. 4.14. Summary (habitat assessment) Thirteen habitat types were assessed at the workshop. The average score for the habitats indicates a good condition for most places (Fig. 4.2). The condition of the habitats is assessed to be stable in the last 5 years.

Figure 4.2: Summary table of the habitat assessment. Average, high and low scores for the condition assessment in the Best 10 %, Most (80 %) and Worst 10 % of places

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