K N O W L E D G E S H E E T 1 0 B | P R I VAT E D E VE LO PI NG W E ST A FR I CA’ S R E GI O NAL OCEAN KNOWLEDGE SHEET 10B | PRIVATE The Role of the Private Sector Developing West Africa’s regional ocean sustainably Engaging the Private Sector on developing West Africa’s Ocean sustainably the Ocean off West African coasts. Although significant • Total fishing production in West Africa is cur- economic opportunities exist, they need to be implemented rently estimated at USD$ 400 million per year. sustainability to ensure the continued services provided by the ecosystem. Fishing, tourism and oil and gas reserves • With a change from selling fishing licenses represent the major commercial opportunities in West internationally to national fishing, it is estimated Africa. Other activities conducted in the coastal zone that West African states could generate USD$ are of considerable economic importance, examples 3.3 billion and 300,000 jobs. Local small-scale include: mangrove rice farming, forestry and salt farming. fisheries can account for up to 80% of catches. Technologies, innovations, engineering and consulting • Women play an important role in processing opportunities exist to aid governments to make better and marketing catches. Fishing is thus a vital decisions and to implement the best legislation and policies. activity for the coastal communities in West The private sector can also enhance the lives of the local Africa in economic terms, but equally in terms communities through creating jobs and by aiding in the of employment and food security. sustainable development of the West African Ocean. • International tourism arrivals to West Africa increased to 65.3 million in 2014, attracted by the marine and coastal environments. • Oil is expected to grow to 9 million barrels a day by 2030 and gas reserves to 7.9 Trillian Cubic Feet (Tcf) in 2040 (a 48% increase) (EIA 2016). The Atlantic Ocean (off the coast of West African) provides a multitude of economic benefits for the local coastal communities, however overexploitation of these benefits and the disregard for the environment will erode any future economic benefit that the ocean may offer. The Oil spill data from a simulated oil spill in the North Sea using OSIS. Source: private sector has a significant role to play in conserving LIFE02 ENV/DK/000151 1 K N O W L E D G E S H E E T 1 0 B | P R I VAT E D E VE LO PI NG W E ST A FR I CA’ S R E GI O NAL OCEAN Fishing Boat landing sites in Porto Novo, Cotonou, Benin. Photo by: Jean-François Levavasseur Marine pollution affects coastal communities health, Challenges fisheries and tourism sectors. This in turn affects the economic opportunities of local businesses and artisanal The Guinea Ocean Current runs parallel to the West fishermen and women. Coast of Africa and is warming at an alarming rate due to Climate Change. This results in increased winds, cre- ating higher intensity waves, and consequently changes Potential Solutions in ocean life, amongst other aspects this greatly affects A number of economic opportunities exist for local busi- the West African fishing industry (Philander 2001). Vessels ness in developing West Africa’s seas sustainably. For have to travel further to catch fish as fish numbers have instance local companies can collect data on the sources, deteriorated (Daniels et al 2016). Further compounding volumes, and effects of marine pollution throughout the the impact of climate change on local fishing enterprises is region in order to assist local and national governments the advancement of technology of the larger international to draft the appropriate legislation, regulation, and fishing organisations with technologies such as sonar enforcement functions for the fishing sector. Technologies devices, airborne optical lasers and remote sensing which can be designed and implemented to help identify oil makes it harder for local companies to compete for fish. spills, wastewater and solid waste discharges, to aid in The impact of this competition is further exacerbated clean up and prevention. Engineering and consulting by the invasions of ever-increasing numbers of illegal companies can aid the oil and gas sectors to develop fishing vessels. their operations sustainably taking the environment into account. The tourist industry can implement ecological Another prominent resource from the Ocean off the coast and sustainable practices while educating on the needs to of West Africa is its wealth of fuel resources (oil and gas), conserve the seas. This sector has tremendous potential which is challenged with correct management, so that to create jobs, boost inclusive economic growth across exploitation does not threaten the ecosystem services. the continent, and reduce poverty. 2 K N O W L E D G E S H E E T 1 0 B | P R I VAT E D E VE LO PI NG W E ST A FR I CA’ S R E GI O NAL OCEAN BEST PRACTICE Improving oil spill detection in the North Sea – North West Europe The private sector has a significant role to play in action and to provide opportunities for efficient preserving the Atlantic Ocean through techno- clean up operations. logical innovations and implementation that can The OSIS system allows for improved and continuous bring economic profitability and environmental monitoring that is more effective and less costly sustainability. For example, a system developed by than the current use of aerial surveillance. The OSIS OSIS International, a small medium sized enterprise system is also cheaper and more accurate than sys- (SME), allowed for the identification of oil spills from tems based on conventional satellite imagery. The offshore installations (OSIS), to enhance the infor- project won the best LIFE (EU Programme) project mation available for decision-making for corrective of 2006 (EU LIFE+, 2006). REFERENCES • African Development Bank (AFD). 2016. Africa Tourism • Energy Information Administration (EIA). 2016. Monitor 2015: Tourism in Africa is on the rise, but has International Energy Outlook 2016. not yet reached its full potential. https://www.afdb. www.eia.gov/forecasts/ieo/pdf/0484(2016).pdf org/en/news-and-events/article/africa-tourism-moni- • EU LIFE+. 2006. Best LIFE-Environment Projects 2005- tor-2015-tourism-in-africa-is-on-the-rise-but-has-not- 2006. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/publi- yet-reached-its-full-potential-15284/ cations/lifepublications/bestprojects/documents/ • Daniels, A., Gutiérrez, M., Fanjul, G., Guereña, A., bestenv06_lr.pdf Matheson, I. and Watkins, K. (2016) Western Africa’s • Philander, S. G. “Atlantic Ocean equatorial currents.” missing fish. Overseas Development Institute. https:// Ocean Currents: A Derivative of the Encyclopedia of www.researchgate.net/profile/Miren_Gutierrez/pub- Ocean Sciences (2001): 54-58. lication/304566790_Western_Africas_Missing_Fish/ links/5773786708aeef01a0b6691f.pdf The West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA) is a convening platform that aims to assist West African countries to sustainably manage their coastal areas and enhance socio-economic resilience to the effects of climate change. The program also seeks to facilitate access to technical expertise and financial resources for participating countries. www.worldbank.org/waca 3