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People living along the west, central and southern African coast are directly
dependent on the health of Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) for sustenance,
economic development and their way of life. The west, central and southern
African coastal populations’ well-being, economies and cultures are
interlinked with their ability to properly govern and manage their own
activity within these ocean and coastal ecosystems. Over the last 30 years,
amid serious conflicts and extensive poverty, these coastal communities,
nations and regions have been unable to effectively counteract rapid
development, extensive pollution growth, habitat loss and unsustainable
use of resources. They have missed opportunities to effectively manage the
highly productive ocean and coastal ecosystems and to unlock the economic
potential that accompanies sustainable development.
In order to shift the ever-changing relationship between humans and their
environment to a sustainable status quo, governing bodies and stakeholders
must understand the value that the west, central and southern African LMEs
provide. In addition to establishing a baseline of ecological data regarding
the coverage, ecological outputs and functions of LMEs and responding to
changes thereto, policymakers must also be aware of the people dependent
on and acting within these coastal and ocean ecosystems, and the value
placed on their associated benefits.