December 17, 2021
AFMESI to Support the Implementation of the Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy Project
The President of AFMESI, Dr. Felicia Chinwe Mogo and the Executive Secretary, Ms. Chiamaka Mogo were invited to the recent launch of the Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy project of the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
AU-IBAR is a branch of the AU that has been responsible for driving the African Blue Economy Strategy. The launch of the Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy project comprised of several African maritime experts deliberating on the implementation strategies and expected outcomes of the project.
AFMESI was a Presenter at the event. The Executive Secretary, Ms. C. Mogo, presented on the following topic — Managing the impacts of land-based pollution, shipping (and other at-sea activities) on marine biodiversity in West and Central Africa. The presentation put the spotlight on certain scenarios pertaining to the conservation of aquatic species in the sub-region which is a significant hub for maritime trade and other at-sea activities. The Gulf of Guinea emerges from the West and Central African sub-region. The presentation highlighted three main challenges for the sub-region: i.) Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing ii.) Maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea iii.) Marine pollution
Ms. Mogo discussed aspects of the state of each of those issues in West and Central Africa, spoke on some of the progress that has been made within the sub-region on those issues and shared solutions for lasting, positive impacts. She emphasised that the solutions shared are just a few, amongst several that different stakeholders can also identify.
a.) Ensuring that coastal communities are engaged in the use and protection of their Indigenous, maritime resources.
b.) Deployment of adequate, maritime surveillance technology.
c.) Creation and harmonisation of laws against maritime crimes.
d.) Establishment of marine-protected areas (MPAs) as key legal instruments. AFMESI has created a robust MPA strategy and seeks the support of regional governments and institutions to take it a step further.
a.) Implementation of regional and national strategies on environmental management (e.g. Nigeria’s model for marine litter).
b.) Ratification and domestication of international conventions on marine environment protection e.g London Convention and its Protocol, MARPOL and its annexes.
c.) Provision of waste management infrastructure upland.
d.) AFMESI conducts marine litter management activities in collaboration with members of the host community (especially youths from that community) to ensure sustainability of proper waste disposal attitudes.
e.) Advocacy for national, regional (Africa) and international laws regulating ocean noise.
f.) AFMESI has secured a partnership to facilitate the training of young Africans in marine acoustics detection.
In Conclusion
In concluding the presentation, Ms. Mogo stated that partnerships are important to drive the solutions discussed in the presentation. She referenced the five-year Strategic Action plan of AFMESI which was launched in November 2021 to enable broader engagements of the NGO across Africa and foster effective Blue Economy implementation in the continent.
On behalf of the AFMESI Team, she applauded AU-IBAR for hosting such a diverse, inclusive event and thanked participants for their attention.
During the question and answer period, President of AFMESI, Dr. Felicia Chinwe Mogo answered a question that was directed at the presentation.
Executive Secretary of AFMESI, Chiamaka Mogo shortly before delivering AFMESI’s Presentation
L-R: Founder/President of AFMESI, Dr. Felicia Chinwe Mogo, Executive Secretary of AFMESI, Chiamaka Mogo
