Strategic Action Programme for the Protection of the Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean from Land-based Sources and Activities
The coastal and marine habitats of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region support the livelihoods of a rapidly growing population, currently estimated at over 60 million. The region is still one of the least ecologically disturbed in the world, hosting over 2,200 species of fish, including rare and endangered species, such as the dugong, coelacanths, marine turtles, sharks, birds and over 350 species of corals and a diverse assemblage of coastal forests, mangrove forests and sea grass beds. It is estimated that about 22 per cent of the species found in the WIO region are found nowhere else on earth. Major cities, ports/ harbours and industries are located in the coastal zone, and these economic centers play an important role in sustaining the economies of the countries of the Western Indian ocean region.
The economic value of the coastal and marine ecosystem goods and services is estimated at more than 25 billion US dollars annually. However, increasing population, limited alternative livelihood sources, as well as other unplanned development pressures are increasing the demand for coastal and marine resources, leading to the destruction of vital habitats such as coastal lowland forests, mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs. Increasing urbanization along the coast is also associated with the discharge of untreated solid and liquid waste into the marine environment, thus causing:
(a) the degradation of marine water quality,
(b) loss of biological diversity,
(c) increased human health problems and
(d) reduction in fish stocks. Consequently, the ability of coastal and marine ecosystems to provide livelihood to the increasing population, as well as to recover from natural (climate change related) and anthropogenic perturbations is compromised.
The Strategic Action Programme for the protection of the coastal and marine environment of the Western Indian Ocean from Land-based sources and activities (SAP) has been completed at a time when it is most needed. The SAP will in particular help the governments in the WIO region to jointly or individually deal with the challenges associated with the increasing demand for coastal and marine resources and the consequent destruction and degradation of critical habitats, changes in freshwater flow and sediments loads, as well as challenges resulting from global climate change. Decision-makers, administrators, planners, resource managers and scientists, will in particularly find this document valuable in the conception, formulation and implementation of specific projects aimed at enhancing the protection of the coastal and marine environment.