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habitats and species, are in a good to very good condition.
An increased sedimentation is observed in several
estuaries and bays along the coast and is problematic for
these habitats (siltation). This phenomenon is related to
intensification of agriculture and mining in inland areas.
An increased turbidity is observed in the vicinity of
Freetown. This is related to pollution, eutrophication and
increased sediment and nutrient loads.
A number of pressures have been analysed for their
impact on the environment and socio-economy. Artisanal
fisheries exert little pressure on the marine environment,
while it contributes significantly to the local economy
and local communities. Industrial fisheries exerts a more
profound impact on the environment, but it is assessed that
the impact so far is still limited. Industrial fisheries scores
high in terms of costs and benefits for the local economy
and society.
The environmental impact of shipping is currently limited.
The contribution of shipping to the local economy is
rising, as shipping is increasing and brings economical
developments. In general, considering the limited port
infrastructure, the impact of ports in Sierra Leone on the
overall marine environment is limited. Socio-economic
benefits are rising as new port developments are underway.
Submarine cables and pipelines presently exert almost
no pressure on the coastal and marine environment of
the country, as there are very few. Benefits of submarine
cables and pipelines are high considering the value
for communication and transport. Exploration and
prospecting for oil and gas is in progress. Oil pollution
of the beaches from sources external to Sierra Leone is a
common characteristic. Oil pollution is usually limited, but
medium to large pollution events have been recorded with
a temporary serious nuisance. At this stage no visible effect
on the coastal and marine environment has emerged yet.
Marine pollution can be serious in some spots but, most of
the time it is almost insignificant in most places. Pollution
due to untreated industrial wastewater is currently limited
as the few industries in Sierra Leone are mainly of a non-
polluting type.The Freetown sewage waters get directly into
the sea but they were formerly not considered as a serious
pollution problem due to their limited volume. However,
various reports and studies conducted in relation to coastal
and marine pollution in Sierra Leone have revealed that the
management domestic waste including sewage is a serious
problem. The intense rate of urbanization is prominent
along the Freetown Peninsula or Western Area, much
of which is poorly planned or unplanned. Marine litter
pollution hot spots are associated with this area. Marine
litter also originates from shipping.
Tourism infrastructure along the coast of Sierra Leone is
currently limited and little pressure exists from this sector
on the marine environment.
A total of 12 potential risks for the marine environment
in Sierra Leone have been assessed at the workshop.
The assessment examined whether the risk is likely to
exert a significant effect in a 5 or 50 years timeframe.
The assessment is based on likelihood of occurrence and
consequence for the environment.
Shipping, coastal erosion, climate change and mining are
identified as high risk factors that could have a high impact
on the marine environment within 5 years. Fishing, oil
and gas exploitation, pollution, tourism, port facilities and
overfishing were identified as significant risks to the marine
environment within 5 years. Harmful algal blooms and
eutrophicationwere identified asmoderate to low riskwithin
the 5 year timeframe. Considering a 50 year timeframe, the
risks of all these factors will increase with several of the
factors moving from the ‘significant’ to ‘high’ risk category.
Eutrophication is considered as a moderate risk.
The general outlook for the coastal andmarine environment
of Sierra Leone could be said to have improved over the
last five years. This is due to considerable awareness and
positive national and regional actions which have resulted
in conscientious environmental stewardship and its
sustainability nationally and within the region.