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Thursday, April 25, 2002 - Web posted at 8:51:32 pm GMT Major backing for Benguela marine resources projectMAGGI BARNARD at SWAKOPMUNDMILLIONS of dollars are being poured into a new programme that aims to ensure the sustainable utilisation and protection of the marine resources of Namibia, South Africa and Angola. The three countries have joined forces in a US$38,7 million (N$425,7 m) initiative called the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) programme. The fishing industry, which accounts for 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product in Namibia, four per cent in Angola, and 0,4 per cent in South Africa, is an important source of livelihood in the region. "By linking environmental protection with sustainable development, this project is an outstanding example of the kind of initiative that needs to be showcased in Johannesburg at the World Summit for Sustainable Development," said Mark Malloch Brown, Administrator of UNDP in a statement. A 'Johannesburg Plan of Action' will be rolled out and endorsed at the World Summit for Sustainable Development, which will be held from August 26 to September 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are contributing N$167,2 million to the programme, while the three participating countries will give approximately N$176 million in kind. The Benguela Environmental Fisheries Interaction and Training (Benefit) Programme at Swakopmund is also contributing in kind - to the value of N$82,5 million. Dr Neville Sweijd of Benefit told The Namibian that his programme will serve as the scientific wing of BCLME. This means Benefit will be in charge of the administration and management of research projects. He said the ultimate goal is to establish a Benguela Commission which will have the authority to regulate all activities in the BCLME. According to Nikhil Sekhran, UNDP-GEF co-ordinator in South Africa, the UNDP-GEF project is expected to yield significant domestic and regional benefits by protecting fisheries and other natural resources. The marine ecosystem is one of the world's most productive marine environments, supporting large numbers of fish species, sea birds and marine mammals. The main species harvested are mackerel, tuna and crab, hake and pilchard, sardines, shrimp and sea breams, lobster, and anchovy. The Benguela Current runs parallel to the coastline of southwest Africa - from the Cape of Good Hope to northern Angola. The primary threats to the marine ecosystem include habitat loss and pollution, increasing exploitation of straddling fish stocks, and the introduction of invasive species, including algae, from ship ballast water. Oil and gas exploration and production, and mining need to be undertaken in an environmentally safe context to minimise pollution threats. |
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