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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. Recommendations
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”