Sierra Leone - State of the Marine Environment 2015

8. Pressures – Environmental and socioeconomic impacts

There are several factors that affect the coastal environment of Sierra Leone (Tab. 8.1). Seven different pressures were assessed during the workshop. How they impact the condition of the marine environment, and their socio- environmental impacts (Fig. 8.1). 8.1. Fisheries Artisanal fisheries exert little pressure on the marine environment, while it contributes significantly to the local economy and local communities. Industrial fisheries exerts a more profound impact on the environment, but the pressure is still assessed as moderate. Industrial fisheries contribute some socio-economic benefits for the local economy and society. The industrial fisheries is made up of local trawlers or shrimpers owned by Sierra Leoneans or chartered through agreements, and produces fish for the local market; they also produce high-priced products like shrimps, cuttlefish, tuna, spiny lobster and some finfish. There is also a foreign fleet set up under various joint-venture agreements exploiting pelagic as well as demersal stocks. These foreign vessels comprise trawlers, shrimpers, longliners and carrier vessels. The living marine resources of Sierra Leone are utilized by commercial and artisanal fisheries for providing livelihood and employment for thousands of fishermen and foreign exchange for the participating countries. The resources are both locally important resident stocks supporting artisanal fisheries and transboundary migratory stocks that have attracted large commercial offshore foreign fishing fleets that create additional stress on the fishery resources. A number of countries also have fishing rights agreements with coastal countries.

There is little capacity in Sierra Leone as well as in the nations of the region to effectively monitor and enforce those agreements. It is believed that some of the fish caught in the region by the distant water fleets are imported to the region. The countries are also net importers of fish and fish products. Some reports seem to suggest that some fish

stocks are depleted. 8.2. Shipping

Presently there is moderate pressure on the coastal and marine environment of the country emanating from the development of shipping activities. As the country is aspiring to become a middle income country by 2025, foreign investment in the mining sector in particular is definitely going to increase. The socio-economic benefits of shipping is significant. The contribution of shipping to the local economy is also rising, as shipping is increasing and brings economic developments. 8.3. Ports and harbour infrastructure The Queen Elizabeth II Quay is the country’s only port that could accommodate ocean-going vessels. It was completed and commissioned in 1954. It is located at the mouth of the Sierra Leone River Estuary. After rehabilitation in 1986, it was extended to accommodate up to 6–8 normal cargo vessels as opposed to 3–4 in 1954. Some of the areas which were natural and under-developed are now undergoing transformation as a result of large scale development of ports and harbours and ancillary facilities linked to the

Table 8.1: Significance of factors affecting the coastal environment of Sierra Leone

Remarks < WHO standards

Significance Moderately high High High Moderately high High

Issue Manufacturing Industries Recreation and Tourism Fishing Industry Development of Urban settlements Harbour infrastructure Transport Road infrastructure Climate change vulnerability Agriculture Oil and gas exploration

GCLME reports & studies NBSAP reports & studies Fisheries reports & studies

IPCC 5th Assessment report.

High

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