Sierra Leone - State of the Marine Environment 2015

11. Recommendations

The following recommendations have been formulated. 3 11.1. Measures to address physical loss of seabed/coastal habitats in the marine/ coastal environment • With technical support from IMO and the Abidjan Convention the government should develop robust environmental standards for the oil and gas sector, with the aim to minimize disturbance of the seabed. • Coastal Beach Sand mining especially at sensitive coastal areas must be regulated and controlled by all relevant institutions. • EPA-SL and other institutions must take commitment to strengthen the enforcement of the existing regulations and adoption of workable strategies for addressing coastal erosion and pollution issues. 11.2. Measures to address marine litter • EPA-SL and other institutions must take commitment to strengthen the enforcement of the existing regulations and adoption of workable strategies for addressing pollution issues (avoidance of marine litter). 11.3. Measures to address contamination by hazardous substances (synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances, radio-nuclides) and the systematic and/ or intentional release of substances in the marine environment from sea-based or air-based sources. • EPA-SL and other institutions must take commitment to address land based sources of pollution through robust law enforcement and monitoring. • Sierra Leone Maritime Administration and the Office of National Security should develop workable contingency plans for natural disasters and oil spills incidences in the marine environment. • With technical support from IMO and the Abidjan Convention the government should develop robust environmental standards for the oil and gas sector (use of hazardous substances, treated water).

11.4 Measures concerning nutrient and organic matter inputs to the marine environment from sea-based or air-based sources • EPA-SL and other institutions must take commitment to strengthen the enforcement of the existing regulations and adoption of workable strategies for addressing pollution issues (avoidance of excessive nutrients). 11.5. Measures to address biological disturbances in the marine environment from the selective extraction of species including incidental non-target catches. • Promote sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources by combating IUU fishing and enforcement of existing fisheries regulation (relevant national laws and international treaties). 11.6. Measures to address other types of biological disturbance, including death, injury, disturbance and translocation of marine species, introduction of genetically-modified individuals and introduction of microbial pathogens • EPA-SL in collaboration with line Ministries and Departments and the civil society organizations must embark on conservation and restoration of degraded critical habitats such as wetlands. 11.7. Measures related to Spatial Protection Measures for the marine and coastal environment • EPA-SL together with the University should conduct regular monitoring of ecological sensitive coastal and marine environments and identify and designate ecologically or biologically significant marine areas.

• Facilitate coastal zoning and marine spatial planning.

• Efforts should be made by the Government and all concerned stakeholders to prohibit uncontrolled and unplanned settlements in the coastal areas.

3. The structure of the recommendations is based upon the EU MSFD ‘Key Type of Measures”

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