GUINEA CURRENT LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM INTERIM GUINEA CURRENT

GUINEA CURRENT LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM /INTERIM GUINEA CURRENT COMMISSION (GCLME/IGCC) GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF) NATIONAL DIALOGUE INITIATIVE (NDI) NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM (NEF) November 20 – 22, 2008 CAPE HOTEL MONROVIA, LIBERIA PRESENTED BY: ASST. PROF. DAVID L. WILES NATIONAL PROJCET DIRECTOR , EPA AND ASSO. PROF. SAMUEL W. D. WESLEY ASSISTANT NATIONAL PROJECT DIRECTOR, EPA

THE GUINEA CURRENT LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM/ INTERIM GUINEA CURRENT COMMISSION (GCLME/IGCC) 1. Introduction • In 2000 Liberia became a signatory to the Law of Sea Convention. • In 2004 a signatory to the Abidjan Convention • In 2005 Liberia became member of the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) Project now called the Interim Guinea Current commission (IGCC) •

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE (GCLME/IGCC) • To manage, develop and protect the coastal and marine environment from pollution and degradation • Provide scientific evidence and information relating to degradation and changing state of Liberia’s coastal areas and marine ecosystem. • Determine the causes and sources of the nation’s coastal and marine problems.

3. Target beneficiaries • The primary target beneficiary of the GCLME/ IGCC is the population of the Guinea Current Countries, in particular the fishing communities with an emphasis on women • In the short – term, government and Institutions will benefit from institution strengthening as a result of networking, training programs, the provision of key items of equipments, and in particular from the development of GCLME/SAP. •

4. THE MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS IN THE GCLME/IGCC PROJECT IN LIBERIA • The public sector; • Local Government Authorities; • Non – governmental organization; • Academician and professional people; • Civil society and the public including fisher – folks

5. GCLME/IGCC – LIBERIA • Launching of ACTIVITIES GCLME/IGCC Project in Liberia (2006) • Coastal Profile of Liberia (2006) • National Action Plan (2007) • Monitoring and Evaluation of Liberia Coastal Waters (2008) • Quarterly Technical Reports

6. STRATEGIES FOR GCLME/IGCC IMPLEMENTATION IN LIBERIA • National Coordination Unit • National Steering Committee • Inter – Ministerial Coordination Committee • Technical Working Committees

7. CONSTRAINTS / CHALLENGES • Lack of operational funds • Lack of capacity building

8. LESSON LEARNT • Collaborate with neighboring countries to conduct joint trans – boundaries studies and research on coastal and marine environmental problems that are common to the sub region

9. CONCLUSIONS • Conduct research and studies on Coastal and marine environmental problems • Prepare mitigation plan to combat coastal and marine pollution and degradation

10. RECOMMENDATIONS • Establish a National Integrated Coastal Areas and Marine Environment Management Center. • Conduct public awareness to educate the general public on the usefulness and importance of maintaining a sustainable coastal and marine environment.