The Socio-Economics of the West, Central and Southern African Coastal Communities

People living along the west, central and southern African coast are directly dependent on the health of Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) for sustenance, economic development and their way of life. The west, central and southern African coastal populations’ well-being, economies and cultures are interlinked with their ability to properly govern and manage their own activity within these ocean and coastal ecosystems. Over the last 30 years, amid serious conflicts and extensive poverty, these coastal communities, nations and regions have been unable to effectively counteract rapid development, extensive pollution growth, habitat loss and unsustainable use of resources. They have missed opportunities to effectively manage the highly productive ocean and coastal ecosystems and to unlock the economic potential that accompanies sustainable development. In order to shift the ever-changing relationship between humans and their environment to a sustainable status quo, governing bodies and stakeholders must understand the value that the west, central and southern African LMEs provide. In addition to establishing a baseline of ecological data regarding the coverage, ecological outputs and functions of LMEs and responding to changes thereto, policymakers must also be aware of the people dependent on and acting within these coastal and ocean ecosystems, and the value placed on their associated benefits.

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