From May 14th – 6th, 2024, a workshop on transboundary marine ecosystem management has been held in Kinshasa, DRC, in collaboration with the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The main goal of this joint effort is the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and the environment in the Congo Basin.
AU-IBAR has identified the need to implement the African Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) and the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture (PFRS) to address the opportunities and threats faced by African aquatic ecosystems. Research commissioned by AU-IBAR highlighted climate change, habitat deterioration, pollution, and poor governance as major concerns that require urgent action.
The study’s findings suggested strategic aims and objectives for conservation efforts, including enhancing ecological integrity, valuing ecosystem products and services, and ensuring fair genetic resource sharing.
Focusing on the Gulf of Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystems, the consultative workshop aims to develop coordinated plans for managing transboundary marine ecosystems. Collaboration with COREP and ECCAS is crucial for stakeholder involvement and technical assistance, with each country’s focal point coordinating national efforts in alignment with regional guidelines.
The workshop outcomes will include a detailed report with suggestions, policy guidelines for conservation efforts, and evaluations of national instruments. Joint management plans will be put in place to guide future actions, strengthening the management of transboundary marine ecosystems in the Congo Basin and promoting sustainable development in the blue economy sector.
This initiative is part of the Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in the Africa Blue Economy project, funded by the Swedish International Development Corporation Agency (SIDA) and implemented by AU-IBAR. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).