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The Yawri Bay a proposed Marine Protected Area in Sierra Leone

The Yawri Bay a proposed Marine Protected Area in Sierra Leone. By Lynette E.N.John Research Assistant Institute of Marine Biology and Oceanography Fourah Bay College, USL. Introduction. The Pilot Project for sustainable Coastal Zone management in Sierra Leone is funded by the following:

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The Yawri Bay a proposed Marine Protected Area in Sierra Leone

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  1. The Yawri Bay a proposed Marine Protected Area in Sierra Leone By Lynette E.N.John Research Assistant Institute of Marine Biology and Oceanography Fourah Bay College, USL.

  2. Introduction • The Pilot Project for sustainable Coastal Zone management in Sierra Leone is funded by the following: • Regional Coastal and Marine Conservation Programme for West Africa (PRCM) • Wetlands International • Foundation Internationale du Bank d’Arguin (FIBA) • World Wide Foundation (WWF)West Africa • Project conceived from visit by PRCM officials in April 2007. Duration was August 2008 – December 2011) • PRCM operate in several countries (Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone)

  3. Introduction cont. After background studies the pilot project for baseline studies started in September, 2009. Partners involved are: • MFMR • CSSL • IMBO • Forestry Division (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security) Project Objectives The main objective of the project is to support Sierra Leone in its efforts to conserve its coastal and marine resources effectively adopting an integrated approach that can be achieved through small scale development activities and the ultimate establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

  4. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) What they are. • MPAs could be defined as “Any area of intertidal or subtidal terrain, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical or cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment”. Closing areas of ocean and seas to specific activities or for certain periods of time is a tool commonly used for nature conservation or fisheries Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

  5. Fisheries Marine Protected Areas Fisheries MPAs are spatially defined areas of sea or estuary where natural Populations of commercial species (finfish and/or shellfish) are protected either in part or completely from exploitation or other detrimental human activities. Fisheries MPAs provide a tool for issue such as stock management and fish stock recovery. They can be permanent or non-permanent, gear type specific, fish species specific, vessel type or size specific etc.

  6. MPAs cont. • MPAs can be powerful means of: • Protecting Critical Marine Areas; • Increasing public awareness and understanding about the importance of life in the sea; and • Providing sites for research and monitoring. With respect to fisheries, MPAs can enhance fisheries by: • Reducing fishing mortality of both target and non target species • MPAs could aid in the restoration of commercially important fish species and endangered marine mega fauna

  7. Proposed MPAs in Sierra Leone

  8. The Yawri Bay • The Yawri Bay is 29, 505ha in area (60km2) of Foreshore), 9, 100ha intertidal mudflats, 800ha mangrove). • The Rivers flowing in the Yawri Bay are as follows: Ribbi, Fogbo, Bumpe and Kagboro

  9. Physico-chemical parameters on selected locations within the Yawri bay Nov - Dec 2009 No unusual hydrographic features could be seen but the following are worth noting: • Surface Temp [29.2 (Ribbi) – 30.8 (Tombo)] • Salinity [31.2 (Bumpe River) – 35.5 (Tombo)] • pH [6.08 (Tombo) – 6.99 (Shenge)] • DO [6.2 (Shenge) – 6.76 (Bumpe)] • Other measurements taken include Nutrients (Po42-, No2- No3- NH4+ • No unusual climate change except for searise – obvious at Shenge, Plantain and Turtle Island.

  10. Ecology of the Yawri Bay • Fishes - 147 Species • Birds - 46 species of Palaearctic migrants 26 species of Afrotropical migrants 35 species of resident birds • Mammals- 4 species of primates 4 species marine mammal 1 species of antelope (duiker) • Reptiles - 1 species of Crocodile 3 species of marine turtle

  11. Ecology cont. • Rocky shores and edge diversity- • 25 species including Green and Brown Algae ( 14 species of plants and 11 species of invertebrates) • Rocky shores (Granitic and Lateritic Rocks) • Mangroves-7 species of mangroves (5 families)

  12. Ecology cont… Intertidal substrate diversity- 14 species of Gastropods (Oysters) 8 species of bivalves (Cockles) 7 species of Crustaceans (Crabs) Other flora (edge of coastline)-47 species of higher plants Plankton - 22 species of Zooplankton 18 species of Phytoplankton

  13. Livelihood activities and threats • Fishing: 8, 000 fulltime fishermen 1, 400 part-time fishermen 600 boats • The use of wrong fishing gears (monofilament and Mina Nets) • Poachers ( unauthorized fishing vessels) • Channel Fishing (Fish in Spawning grounds) • Manatee Hunting • Use of poisons and explosives

  14. Livelihoods cont. • Agriculture (Rice Cultivation) • Wood Cutting (Mangroves) • Salt Production • Sand Mining Garbage/Refuse disposal • Transportation • Waste Disposal • Coastal Infrastructure (Human settlements very close to nesting beaches) • Tourism

  15. Activities of Pilot Project for coastal zone management in relation to the proposed MPA • Governance • Major Stakeholders have been highlighted • Local Communities [Chiefs, Youths, Religious Leaders, Teachers, Secret Societies, Sierra Leone Artisanal Fishermen’s Union (SLAFU) and Sierra Leone Amalgamated Artisanal Fishermen's Union (SLAAFU)]

  16. Activities of pilot project cont.. Line Ministries: Ministry of Lands , Country Planning and the Environment (MLCPE) Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS) Ministry of Local Government, Internal Affairs and Community Development (MOLGIACD) Ministry of Works, Housing and Infrastructure (MOWHI)

  17. Line Ministries cont… • Ministry of Mineral Resources and Public Affairs (MMR&PA) • Ministry of Tourism and Culture(MOTC) • Ministry of Energy and Water Resources(MOE&WR) • Ministry of Transport and Aviation(MOTA)

  18. Activities cont. • Research The pilot project area selected was the Yawri Bay. It was agreed that the following studies were to be undertaken as follows: • Desk Review – MFMR/CSSL (MFMR focal) • Hydrodynamic – IMBO (Focal) • Ecological Studies – IMBO (Focal) • Socio-Economic Studies – CSSL/MFMR (MFMR Focal) • Governance Framework (Forestry Division) • Consultative Meetings

  19. Activities cont… Community Radio discussion/sensitization Brochures Posters and Calendars Exchange Visits

  20. The status of the Yawri Bay when compared to the best Marine Protected Area in Senegal

  21. Status cont.

  22. Status cont…

  23. So far the Community members have accepted the idea of the Marine Protected Area to be established, the strides taken by the Pilot Project for sustainable coastal zone management in Sierra Leone is in place and by the time measures needed for a MPA are been implemented the Yawri Bay will not only grow in biodiversity but will be rated the best MPA not only in Sierra Leone but in Africa as a whole.

  24. Thank you for your attention!

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