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The Government of Sierra Leone recognizes the threats to
the coastal and marine environment from anthropogenic
sources as well as from global climate change which is one
of the biggest challenges of our generation that threatens
the natural resource base of the country. The State of the
Marine Environment (SOME) report highlights the threats
to our marine environment and underscores resources
exploitation as one of the primary causes leading to the
degradation of our marine and coastal environment.
Without immediate and concerted efforts, it will be
impossible for the present and succeeding generations
to achieve sustainable development. Overexploitation
of natural resources from the coastal and marine areas
is one of the greatest threat to the marine environment.
This is predicated on overwhelming dependence by rural
and coastal communities on such resources in the face of
limited alternative livelihoods. The Government has noted
such issues that require priority attention such as potential
threats of invasive species, coastal erosion, pollution
control, increasing uncontrolled coastal development
leading to habitat degradation and changing land-use
patterns, and climate change.
However we remain committed to reverse the resultant
environmental degradation and to address the identified
trans-boundary issues as demonstrated by the participation
of Sierra Leone in the Guinea Current Large Marine
Ecosystem (GCLME) projects and the ratification of the
Abidjan Convention.
Foreword
The Government of Sierra Leone is already developing and
implementing improved management strategies in order to
mainstream environmental concerns into national policies,
programmes and projects, regulatory, and institutional
mechanisms that are critical to achieving environmental
sustainability. These include improvements in many of
the regulations governing the marine environment and
designation of Marine Protected Areas. Government
also recognizes that improved regulations also require
focused enforcement efforts to assist in sustaining gains in
environmental protection, rebuilding fish stocks, conserving
biodiversity and maximizing the long-term benefits of the
goods and services provided by the ecosystem.
The current SoME report is part of the regular process in
assessing the state of the global marine environment. This
assessment is also in response to the identified threats
facing the country’s coastal and marine environment and
attempts to address the causes and effects of such threats
and other emerging issues.
It is important to note that the vulnerability of the coastal
and marine areas and associated risks from unsustainable
resources exploitation need adequate and robust strategies
that will effectively address the current trend in coastal and
marine degradation in making blue growth a reality.
My government remains committed to providing
the political leadership towards addressing the issues
and challenges confronting the marine and coastal
environments of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma
The President of Sierra Leone