The Socio-Economics of the West, Central and Southern African Coastal Communities

4.4

Achieving Sustainable Development in theWest, Central

and Southern African Coastal Regions

The rough estimates provided in the west, central and

southern African LME studies show that marine and coastal

ecosystems are integral to the lives of people living along the

continent’s coast. As the “flow of value” changes, so do the

different forms of capital that affect the social, cultural and

economic landscape of the regions, as well as the ecosystems

that influence human lives, culture and well-being. The west,

central and southern African management regimes must use

and build on the data and information presented and work

towards properly reinvesting in the LME services.When social

equity, economic growth and environmental protection are

balanced, sustainable development prevails.