Global Programme of Action for the Protection of The

Home , Kanifing (Gambia)

GLOBAL PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF

THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT FROM LAND-BASED ACTIVITIES

Report of The Gambia

FOR THE CANARY CURRENT LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM

PROJECT (CCLME) AND THE ABIDJAN CONVENTION

By: ANNA MBENGA CHAM PRINCIPAL FISHERIES OFFICER THE GAMBIA

February 2014

TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE

Abbreviations/Acronyms……………………………………………………………. 3 List of Table……………………………………………………………………………3 Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………... 5 1.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………. 6 1.1 Aim of the Global Program of Action…………………………………… 6 1.2 The Global Program of Action…………………………………………….7 1.3 Objective…………………………………………………………………… 7 1.4 Country Profile……………………………………………………………. 7 2.0 Identification and Assessment of Problems……………………………………… 8 2.1 Food Security………………………………………………………………. 8 2.1.2 Public Health……………………………………………………………11 2.1.3 Coastal and marine Resources and Ecosystem Health……………... 13 2.1.4 Economic and Social Benefits and Uses including Cultural Values.. 16 2. 2 Contaminants…………………………………………………………………. 16 2.2.1 Sewage…………………………………………………………………. 16 2.2.2 Banned pesticides and Other Chemical………………………………. . 16 2.2.3 Oils (Hydrocarbons)……………………………………………………. 17 2.2.4 Litter………………………………………………………………………17 2.3 Physical Alteration, including Habitat Modification and Destruction in areas of Concern…………………………………………………………… 18 2.4 Coastal Mining…………………………………………………………… . …18 2.5 Source of Degradation (Point Sources)………………………… ……… ...18 Construction Work –Dam…………………………………………………….19 Mangrove die back ………………………………………………………...... 19 2.6 Sources of Degradation (Non-point)………………………………………….20 2.6.1 Urban Run-Off…………………………………………………………….20 2.6.2 Agriculture and Horticulture Run-off……………………………………20 2.6.3 Coastal Erosion…………………………………………………………...... 21 2.6.4 Landfills and hazardous Waste Sites Sanitation………………………….21 2. 7 Areas of Concern (what areas are affected or vulnerable)……………….21 Habitat Modification and Destruction…………………………………….22 Marine Protected Areas- Tanbi and Niumi Wetlands……………………22 3.0 Establishment of Priorities…………………………………………………………..23 3.1 Waste management…………………………………………………………..25 3.2 Sanitary ………………………………………………………………………25 3.3 Aquaculture ……………………………………………………………… ... 25 3.4. Oyster Culture………………………………………………………..……...26 3.5 Management Objectives for Priority Problems………………………….26 3.5.1 Objectives for the Protection of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems………27 3.5.2 Protection of Marine and Coastal Ecosystem…………………………….27 3.5.3 Health Objectives……………………………………………………………27

3.5.4 Sanitation program……………………………………………………….. 28 3.5.5 Biological…………………………………………………………………... 28 3.5.6 Ecological……………………………………………………………………28 3.5.7 Social………………………………………………………………………...28 3.5.8 Economic………………………………………………………………...... 28 4.0 Identification, Evaluation and Selection of Strategies and Measures……………..29 4.1 Protective Areas as Adaptive Measure…………………………………...... 30 4.2 Village gardening……………………………………………………………..31 4.3 Village Banking……………………………………………………………….31 4.4 Erosion Control……………………………………………………………….32

5.0 Criteria for Evaluating Effectiveness of Strategies and Measures………………...32 6.0 Program Support Elements………………………………………………………...... 32 6.1 National Policies for Management of Environment…………………………….33 6.2 Integrated Coastal and Marine Conservation and Management………………33 6.3 Institutional Framework for Natural Resource Management………………….33 6.4 Instructional Acts ………………………………………………………………....33 7.0 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands…………………………………………………….36 8.0 Environmental Education……………………………………………………………..37 9.0 Conclusion……………………………………………………….……………………..37 10.0 References……………………………………………………………………………39 11.0 Appendix……………………………………………………………………………...41 12.0 Methodology…………………………………………………………………………..41

List of Abbreviations

CCLME Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem DOF Department of Fisheries DPH Department of Public Health DPWM Department of Parks and Wildlife Management FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FC Fecal Coliform GBA Greater Banjul Area GEAP Gambia Environmental Action Plan GNSSP Gambia National Shellfish Sanitary Program ICAM II Integrated Coastal and Marine Management IRD Institution for Research and Development LGA Local Government Act MPA Marine Protected Areas NAWEC National Water and Electricity Cooperation NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan NEA National Environment Agency NEMA National Environment Management Act NGO Non Government Organization PAGE Program for Accelerated Growth and Employment PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper URI University of Rhode Island WWF World Wide Fund for Nature

List of Table

1. Funded project by UNDP 2. Fisheries Contribution to Gross Domestic Production (GDP) 3. Head Fisherman by Fisheries Administrative Area

List of Figures

1. Map of the Gambia 2. Fecal and total coliforms at Wenchu 3. Animals located close to the estuary 4. Local latrine by the estuary at Wenchu 5. The Gambia marine and estuarine ecosystem health 6. Litter thrown in the Wetlands 7. Settlement inside the Marine Protected Area (MPA) 8. A scenery of mangrove die-back along Bintang Bolong 9. Groundnut shell dumped at the Tanbi (Kamalo) 10. Deposits of tires and other rubbish in the mangroves 11. Women thought how to pick cockles 3

12. Oysters attached on mangrove roots 13. Ropes deepen in water for oyster culture 14. Team collecting matured propagules 15. Storage method of propagules 16. Removing caps covering the shoots 17. Plating two meters between rows 18. Vegetable gardening 19. Women village banking

Acknowledgements

I wish to express my gratitude to Khallahi Brahim and the entire CCLME Project team for having confidence in me to conduct the national report on Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Base Activities in The Gambia.

Thanks to the lead consultant Dr. Jacques ABE for his brilliant methodology and guidelines necessary for conducting the study, especially his suggestions for the preparatory phase of the work and the important comments.

Special thanks are directed to the Statistical Unit of the Fisheries Department, Staff of national Environment Agency, Department of Water Resources, Department of Parks and Wildlife Management, Forestry Department, Department of Tourism, Gambia Maritime, Coordinator Wash Project for the valuable information provided and discussions shared

Special thanks to my family for their support.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The major threats to the health, productivity and biodiversity of the marine environment result from human activities on land -in coastal areas and further inland. Most of the pollution load of the oceans, including municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes and run-off, as well as atmospheric deposition, emanates from such land-based activities and affects the most productive areas of the marine environment, including estuaries and near-shore coastal waters. These areas are likewise threatened by physical alteration of the coastal environment, including destruction of habitats of vital importance for ecosystem health. Moreover, contaminants which pose risks to human health and living resources are transported long distances by watercourses, ocean currents and atmospheric processes.

The bulk of the world's population lives in coastal areas, and there is a continuing trend towards its concentration in these regions. The health, well-being and, in some cases, the very survival of coastal populations depend upon the health and well-being of coastal systems -estuaries and wetlands -as well as their associated watersheds and drainage basins and near-shore coastal waters. Ultimately, sustainable patterns of human activity in coastal areas depend upon a healthy marine environment, and vice versa.

1.2 Aims of the Global Programme of Action

The Global Programme of Action aims at preventing the degradation of the marine environment from land-based activities by facilitating the realization of the duty of States to preserve and protect the marine environment. It is designed to assist States in taking actions individually or jointly within their respective policies, priorities and resources, which will lead to the prevention, reduction, control and/or elimination of the degradation of the marine environment, as well as to its recovery from the impacts of land-based activities. Achievement of the aims of the Programme of Action will contribute to maintaining and, where appropriate, restoring the productive capacity and biodiversity of the marine environment, ensuring the protection of human health, as well as promoting the conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources.

1.3 The global programme of action

The Programme of Action, therefore, is designed to be a source of conceptual and practical guidance to be drawn upon by national and/or regional authorities in devising and implementing sustained action to prevent, reduce, control and/or eliminate marine degradation from land-based activities.

Effective implementation of this Programme of Action is a crucial and essential step forward in the protection of the marine environment and will promote the objectives and goals of sustainable development.

The Global Programme of Action reflects the fact that States face a growing number of commitments flowing from Agenda 21 and related conventions. Its implementation will require new approaches by, and new forms of collaboration among, Governments, organizations and institutions with responsibilities and expertise relevant to marine and coastal areas, at all levels - national, regional and global. These include the promotion of innovative financial mechanisms to generate needed resources.

1.4 Objectives

To develop comprehensive, continuing and adaptive programmes of action within the framework of integrated coastal area management which should include provisions for:

(a) Identification and assessment of problems; (b) Establishment of priorities; (c) Setting management objectives for priority problems; (d) Identification, evaluation and selection of strategies and measures, including management approaches; (e) Criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of strategies and programmes; (f) Programme support elements

1.4 Country Profile

o o The Gambia, located between 13 N and 14 W latitude on the west coast of Africa and is about 480km in length and 51km wide at its widest westerly end facing the Atlantic Ocean, and its eastern width is 30km.

Fig. 1: Map of The Gambia,

Source: Fisheries Department

The Gambia has a total land area of about 11,000 Km², with about one fifth of the surface area occupied by the River Gambia, running almost 1600 km from the Futa Djallon highlands in the Republic of Guinea to the Atlantic Ocean dividing the country into the North and South bank, (figure 1) and is bordered on three sides by the Republic of Senegal and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean.

The coastline is 80 km long open coastline, dissected into the North and south Bank by the River Gambia. The continental shelf area is 4000Km², and comprises of Marine intertidal and oceanic ecosystems that border the Atlantic Ocean and extends to the brackish water which is rich in marine fish resources. It is one of the highly productive up-welling zone of the Atlantic Ocean and the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) region (Douglas, 1998). The productivity of the marine and estuarine waters is further enhanced by the huge annual influxes of nutrients from the river, fringed with mangroves on both sides up to Kaur150 kilometers up river. The Gambia has a Sudano - Sahelian climate characterized by a long dry season from November to May and a short rainy season from June to October.

According to the 2013 census, The Gambia has a population of 1,840,681 with an annual growth rate of 2.7% with a density of more than 97 persons per km²; The Gambia is ranked amongst the four most densely populated countries in Africa. The urban growth rate is estimated to be more than 8% annually, with the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) attaining the greatest rate. The Municipality of Kanifing, with an estimated population of 300,000 to 400,000 people is considered the most densely populated region in the Gambia. At present about 27% of the population live in the GBA while 52% inhabits the strip of coastal land which is less than 18% of the total surface area of the country (Gambia Bureau of Statistics, 2013).

2.0 Identification and Assessment of Problems

The Gambia is characterized by land degradation, coastal degradation, loss of biodiversity linked to habitat loss, improper disposal of solid waste and increasingly coastal erosion due effects of environmental vulnerabilities range from the fragility of the land, high population densities coupled with adverse impacts of natural hazards such as climate change, further elaborated below

2.1 Food Security and Poverty Alleviation

The country depends on agriculture, the backbone of the country‟s economy. Major export earning is from groundnuts, followed by tourism, fisheries then livestock. Agriculture accounts for roughly 30% of gross domestic product and employs about 70% of the labor force. The fisheries sector accounts for 3% of gross domestic product, but this has been fluctuating over the years. In 2003, contribution to GDP dropped significantly and has until now not picked up to the

2004/05 levels (see table 2). Although this is merely small, yet great importance is attached to the development of the sector to increase production and fish protein intake.

Table 2: Fisheries Contribution to GDP

Year Fish & Fishery Products GDP % of GDP (metric tons) (metric tons)

1998 81,005.00 3,261,207 2.5%

1999 89,646.00 3,352,678 2.7%

2000 95,130.00 3,198,601 3.0%

2001 102,739.00 3,443,300 3.0%

2002 88,355.00 3,261,207 2.5%

2003 48,495.00 3,352,678 2.7%

2004 79,788.00 3,198,601 3.0%

2005 82,046.00 3,443,300 3.0%

2006 96,814.00 3,517,846 2.5%

Source: Central Statistics Department report, 2008

Two types of fisheries operate in the Gambia; small scale (artisanal) and industrial fisheries. These fisheries are distinguished by their mode of operation. The artisanal is presently the single most important entity in seafood production for local consumption and export. Majority of Gambians cheapest protein intake is from fish. Communities along the coast and along the River Gambia both North and South of the Country are engage in fishing activities for their livelihood.

The sector provides direct employment to 1,410 head fishermen and 4,694 assistant fishermen (see table 3). It is estimated that over 200,000 people are directly or indirectly dependent on artisanal fisheries for their livelihoods (DOF, 2006).

Table 3: Head Fisherman by Fisheries Administrative Area

Number of Fishermen

Number Percentage

Fisheries Administrative Area

416 Atlantic coast 29.5

204 Lower River- North Bank 14.5

96 Upper River - North Bank 6.8

309 Lower River - South Bank 21.9

385 Upper River - South Bank 27.3

1,410 TOTAL 100.0

Source: Department of Fisheries, 2006

The coastal fishery is still dominated by non nationals, mainly Senegalese; 805 are Gambian nationals and 605 foreign but in the coastal area foreign nationals, mainly Senegalese form the majority with 249 head fishermen compared to 167 Gambians (Gambia DOF, 2006).

These foreign nationals are the key players in the highly productive coastal fisheries and they form the vast majority of artisanal shrimp fishermen along the estuary and brackish waters of the River Gambia (Gambia DOF, 2006).

The industrial fishery is characterized by high capital investment and limited to the marine areas while the artisanal fishery is dispersed and characterized by low capital investment and labor intensive activities.

The ichthyofauna in both riverine and marine systems consist more than 800 fish species which provide a significant part of the protein supply to the countries population. The estimated total fish harvest potential is over 80,000 metric tons and the estimated annual fish production in 2002 was 46,496 metric tons and per capita fish consumption is more than 20 kg. Fish is an important source of cheap protein to the population and is believed to have potential for greater contribution to addressing the country's food security policy objective. Besides the fisheries sectoral development objective is to improve the nutritional status of the population, employment generation, and revenue and foreign exchange earnings. The role of the sector in the socio- economic development of the country cannot be over-emphasized, but fisheries by virtue of its particulars, are highly susceptible to over-exploitation, leading to biological, social and economic wastage of scarce resources. The spawning and nursery grounds are not well managed to secure sustainable availability and supply of fish for the nation.

Poverty is one of the biggest indirect threats to biodiversity in The Gambia. The majority of the population depends entirely on natural resources for their basic requirements which are often exploited irrationally. Such high demands, coupled with unsustainable practices of exploitation and utilization has placed undue pressure on natural resources. The Gambia has an overall poverty rate estimated at 58 percent (in 2003). Rural and urban poverty rates are similar, except in Banjul where the rate is much lower at 10.6 percent (World Bank, 2007).

2. I.2 Public Health

Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem in The Gambia. The 1998 national anthropometrics study of children under five conducted in the dry season indicated 16.8% stunting, 6.8% wasting and 17.1% underweight. Safe water is an essential pillar of sustainable health for rural and urban population. Access to safe water is 69% of the overall households; with 79.9% urban and 64.9% rural and accesses to proper sanitary facilities are encouraging particularly at the coastal region.

In line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Gambia has also formulated “Vision 2020” which aims to ensure sustainable development through the provision of a “well- balanced ecosystem and a decent standard of living for one and all by the year 2020". Enforcement of environmental laws by the Agency (National Environment Agency, NEA), provision of affordable healthcare by the Ministry of Health and the collection of domestic waste by the Municipalities have lead to a reduction in disease outbreaks especially Malaria and Cholera.

However, people‟s attitude towards environmental sanitation has not improved much despite the education. It is common to see people throwing litter from moving vehicles, throwing domestic waste to illegal dumpsites etc. Consequently, misuse of public properties e.g. littering public streets, dumping waste into gutters, littering of parks and recreational facilities is common.

Some live in places that are declared uninhabitable, such as insides the wetlands, waterways, dumpsites, etc. The illegal dumpsites created blocked natural waterways leading to floods and formation of water bodies that harbor disease agents such as malaria, skin diseases, among others. Sectors such health has suffered huge setbacks due to disease outbreaks caused by pollution.

The Department of Water Resources on quarterly bases monitored strategic point for Public Health hazard. Selected parameters, which are specifically health related, are done to ensure clean drinking water is obtained, as well as for the environment such as: - i. Bacteriological (Thermotolerant Fecal Coliform (F.C.) test) ii. Physico-chemical (pH, Electrical Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids) iii. Part-chemicals (Nitrate and Total iron).

During the 2012 rainy season, Fecal Coliform counts increased during the months of August and September. The increase in the counts was attributed to runoffs, direct human waste and latrines constructed, discharge into estuary.

The Coliform data provided by the Department of Water Resources indicates that measured Fecal Coliform counts peak during the rainy season, especially around Wencho (figure 3 and 4) and Old Jeshwang sites where latrine and animals are located next to the estuary, fig 1 and 2. At the sites located next to urban settlements, Ebo Town and Faji Kunda, measured Fecal Coliforms increased significantly during the rainy season. The water quality data show that the oyster harvesting and processing sites near urban settlements have higher counts of Fecal and Total Coliforms (figure 2), than the sites that are located further from the villages.

Indiscriminate waste dumping and inadequate waste management programs are major problems particularly near urban settlements.

Fig 2: Fecal and Total Coliforms at Wencho, (Report, Water and Sanitation Study, 2006)

It has been also observed that Fecal Coliform levels in dry season water samples correlate to the results of the sanitary surveys: Poor Fecal Coliform results correspond to inadequate conditions at landing sites observed during the sanitary survey.

The Total Coliform water quality results might be underestimating the potential risk. It is suggested that, if GNSSP is established, the Fecal Coliform parameter is better suited to be the standard for use in the classification of shellfish waters in The Gambia.

Figure 3: Animals located close to estuary Figure 4: Pig pen by the estuary at Wencho

2.1.3 Coastal and Marine Resources and Ecosystem health, including Biological Diversity The Gambia has an 80 km long coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending 200 Nautical miles from the low water mark. The coastal and marine zone of The Gambia provides an important breeding, nesting, feeding refuge for endangered and threatened species such as migratory birds, dolphins, sharks, marine turtles, the West African Manatee and other species of regional and national significance. Like any other coastal state, the population density is high and increasing along the coastal zone. This has its implications as human activities exert increasing pressure on the coast; in particular, the exploitation of coastal and marine resources for both subsistence and other economic purposes.

The coastal ecosystem includes several habitat types such as mangrove forest, seasonal marshes and wetlands, salt flats, sand dune and gallery forests and open woodlands. In these habitats diverse flora and fauna with mostly littoral species are common, meiofauna includes high amount of microorganisms like bacteria and protista; nematodes, annelids, larvae of oligochaetes, dense patches of copepods, coelenterates and different species of shellfish. The mangrove forest are important habitats serving the needs of migratory near shore and oceanic species which require shallow, protected habitats for breeding and /or sanctuary for their young ones..

The wetlands cover almost 20% of the total land area. This includes 6.4% of mangrove forest, 7.8% of uncultured swamps and 3.2% of cultivated swamps. These wetlands are classified in to three categories; coastal and marine, inland and artificial. The coastal and marine are shallow marine waters, sub tidal beds, rocky shores, sandy beaches, estuarine waters, intertidal mud flats, salt marshes, mangrove forests, brackish lagoons and fresh water lagoons etc. The inland waters are permanent rivers, seasonal riverine floodplains, freshwater marshes, seasonal fresh water lakes, fresh water swamps forest/gallery etc. besides are artificial wetlands for irrigated land, rice fields etc. Similarly, coastal beaches provide important habitats for sea and water bird breeding colonies and provides nesting habitat for three species of marine turtles.

In 2004, the French Institute for Research and Development (IRD) in collaboration with the Fisheries Department concluded study of fish populations in the Gambia River which revealed that the brackish and estuarine portions of the river are very rich in terms of species diversity and abundance. It identified about 70 fish species within the river system and several of them, especially those belonging to Carangidae, Drepaneidae, Clupidae, Haemulidae, Polynemidae, Cichlidae, Scianidae, Cynoglossidae, etc, are of commercial significance.

There are over 500 marine fish species which are usually classed as demersals and pelagics. The demersals include groupers, sea breams, grunts, croakers and snappers etc. The small pelagics group consists of the two sardinellas (Saridnella aurita and Sardinella maderensis), bonga/shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata), horse mackerels (Trachurus trecae, Trachurus trachurus and Caranx rhoncus) and mackerel (Scomber japonicus). Biomass estimates of the demersal fish resources in

1986 conducted by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography were 43,645 tones. The 1986 survey was the most comprehensive survey of demersal fish resources. Estimates provided in 1995 were obtained from a partial survey of demersal stocks conducted during a survey that focused on pelagic fish species.

Mangrove of the Gambian are among the most beautiful, (figure 5) especially those of the River Gambia which hosts one of the tallest mangroves in the sub-region (+20m) at a distance of about 100 km upriver (Forestry Department Report, 2009). However, at the level of Bintang bolong, the degradation of the mangrove is estimated to be more than 90%. At the level of the other formations, the degradation can be estimated at 3.3%. Besides mangroves, for example, are integral to the health and functioning of local fisheries (Diouf et al., 1996). They may slow or prevent coastal erosion and serve to buffer or mitigate water pollution and flooding. They are important source of fuel and construction wood. Globally, mangrove forests have high potential for carbon sequestration.

Fig. 5: The Gambia Marine and Estuarine ecosystems health

Source: Fisheries frame survey report, 2006

The biodiversity are faced with several direct threats including the loss and fragmentation of the natural habitats due to deforestation, wetland drainage, infrastructural development, overgrazing, poor farming practices as well as indirect causes such as population pressure, poverty, illiteracy, lack of resources, limited trained human power and inadequate implementation of policies and institutional regimes.

The coastal and marine biodiversity is seriously threatened by pollution. Prior to 1980, The Gambia had a total of about 68,000 ha of mangrove forest. It declined to about 56,900 ha by 15

1983 (Forster), representing a total loss of 11,100 ha. The main area of the mangrove die-back was along the Bintang Bolong area, extending into the Cassamance Region of Senegal. However, this trend is not linear. Such areas are used illegally as dumping sites of household and industrial waste.

2.1.4 Economic and Social Benefits and Uses Including Cultural Values

Ccommunities get many benefits from the costal and wetland areas; including oyster collection, fishing, fire wood and poles collection, palm wine tapping, vegetable gardening, rice cultivation, etc.. Many of them make their living from these activities. Unfortunately, a decreasing yield trend is noticed in each and every activity.

2.2 Contaminants

2.2.1 Sewage

Sewage infrastructures are constructed in greater Banjul area, in numerous diffuse sources, linked to the main central channel that carries the waste water and discharge 200 m off the coast line to the ocean. The rapid growth of urban populations is beyond the capacity of the relevant authorities and municipalities to provide adequate basic services to the entire country. In almost all factories waste water treatments are done before their waste is discharged to the ocean.

There are hotspots particularly at the Ports Authority due oil splits splash from ships and waste oil from National Water Electricity (NAWEC). Ships discharge (SEWAGE) even though Maritime Regulation prohibit discharge of sewage within specified distance nearest to land unless they have an approved treatment plant, due Pathogens, oxygen-demanding substances, suspending solids, nutrients, toxics, oil and grease and other particulate elements are commonly found in marine sewage discharges, which can lead to eutrophication, though it is not much that it is considered as major problem.

The Kotu Sewage Plant is not able to cope with the dramatic rise in volume of waste water and has malfunctioning problem, as such untreated and partially some untreated has been released into the Kotu Stream and empties in the sea (NBSAP, 1997).

2.2.2 Banned Pesticides and Other Chemical

Harmful chemicals listed below are banned in the country. It is illegal in The Gambia to import, manufacture, formulate, offer, hold on stock, sell, and use or advertise these following. All these chemicals are banned: 2, 4, 5-T, Aldicarb, Aldrin, Aphox, Benzene Hexachloride (BHC/HCH), Camphechlor, Captafol (Believed to be carcinogenic present in “Granox WP” from Senegal), Chlorbenzilate, Chlordane, Chlordimeform, Crocidolite, Cyhexatin, DDT (Persistent Organic

Pollutant (POP) found in Cock Brand Coil from PRC), Dibrimochlord Propane, Dieldrin, Dinoseb+Salts, Endrin, Ethylene Dibromide, Fluoroacetamide, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, Lindane (present in “Thiodal” from Senegal), Mercury Compounds, Paraquat, Parathiom-Methyl (toxic organo-phosphorus pesticide present in „spiridur‟), PBBs (Polybrominated Biphenyls), PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls), PCTs, Pentachlorophenol (mostly used as a wood preservative) and TRIS - 2,3-Dibromopropyl. (Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides Control and Management Board, National Environment Agency, 2014)

2.2.3 Oils (hydrocarbons)

Oil spills has negative ecological and socio-economic impacts. The Kotu power station releases its waste oil (sludge) from the generators into the Kotu stream and the surrounding swamps.

2.2.4 Litter

Solid waste management in the Greater Banjul Area including the coastal areas is handled by municipalities (Banjul City Council and Kanifing Municipal Council and the Brikama Area Council).The municipal landfills are the only method of disposal practiced by all the Councils. However, Medical Research Council has an incinerator for the disposal of their clinical wastes. The Municipal landfill disposal sites do not have any facilities, environmental controls, or development and operations plan for mitigating environmental impacts, and yet a wide range of wastes are deposited in them, which include domestic/household wastes, commercial waste, industrial waste and construction waste. Waste disposals are open system, hazardous to human and biodiversity, especially during the rainy season.

Litter is also often observed all along the coast line. Some appears to be the result of irresponsible waste dumping, scattered waste that are carried by erosion to the river or to the coastal sites (figure 6); discarded by individuals or factory waste as well as deposits at low tides. These dumped wastes obstruct water ways or carried along by water run-offs to the estuary, as a result pollutes the environment.

Fig.6a: Litter thrown in the wetlands Fig. 6b: Litter thrown in the wetlands

2.3 Physical Alteration, including habitat modification and destruction in areas of concern

The main concerned here is land clearing for agriculture, linked to population growth and more settlement in these areas combined with the effect of climate change. Overharvesting wetland products, overgrazing, natural factors such as mangrove die-back, etc. contributes to destruction of habitats. This has led to the decline or disruption of the ecological values provided by these ecosystems particularly fish breeding grounds, resulting in the loss of some species (NBSAP, 1997).

2.4 Coastal Mining

Sand mining is the biggest catalyst of erosion and associated environmental impacts in the coastal area. Sand mining has been going on from 1985 – 1995, which has aggravated causing coastal erosion and destruction of habitats. In 1996, sand mining is prohibited at the coastal areas. The ADB funded intervention has been successful in reclaiming significant portion of the beach (UNEP, 1998).

2.5 Sources of degradation

Communities around these tributaries (Bolongs) depend on subsistence agriculture for household food production and cash crop production. Due to decrease in farm production and the groundnut price, most of the residents shifted to commercial fishing and sales of mangrove poles for roofing and firewood for domestic energy. This resulted to high level of pressure on the mangrove ecosystem and the consequent degradation of the mangrove cover and its primary productivity.

Fig. 7: Settlements near the intertidal zone

Settlement inside the MPAs (figure 7) have as well negative impact in the wetlands, due destruction, waste from households and use of the surrounding as sanitary purposes.

Dam Construction

It is suspected that the damming of Bintang Bolong on the Senegalese side reduced the flushing effect of the tributary inducing hypersalinity and therefore weakening of the trees. The trees then became susceptible to fungal attacks resulting in rampant dying along the bolongs as indicated below. The Avicenna is regenerating where the Rhizophora used to colonize. This is definitely due to depositions and the consequent raising of the ground to a level too high for adequate flushing required by the Rhizophora.

Mangrove Degradation

As mangroves are facultative halophytes, their growth can also be depressed by sodium chloride deficiency in the external environment. They need limited amount of salt in the external medium, and therefore any modification of the hydrological flow, like retreat of the salt front, will affect the mangroves in that zone. High salinity can result to mangrove die-back as shown below.

Fig 8: A Scenery of Mangrove Die-Back along Bintang bolong

The salinity data recorded by the Department of Water Resources at Bintang Bolong in 1974 and 2000 appears to validate this claim. Based on these data and the aforesaid observations from previous studies, the following cause effect and hypothesis of death of mangroves can be deduced:

 The salinity level increased from 14.4 µS/m (micro Siemens per meter) in 1976 to 54.5 µS/m in year 2000. Although the mangrove species present in the Gambia and along the Bintang Bolong in particular require a saline environment, hyper salinity can adversely affect them (a given site is considered to be hyper saline when the surface or interstitial soil level exceeds that prevailing in the sea, which averages about 35 µS/m, (Lugo A.E, 1980) in most areas. Thus the 54.5 µS/m recorded at the Bintang Bolong (figure 8) far exceeded the medium required for mangrove growth.

 Since the local climatic and edaphic factors have a definite effect on the mangrove die- back, the drought of the seventies also contributed to the phenomenon. In fact the die back occurred during the period from early 1970s through to the second half of the 1980s which was also the drought period in The Gambia

 Patches of dead Rhizophora mangroves mainly along the small bolongs between Sambang Tenda and Kaur on the North Bank can be attributed to rising topography through deposition. The mangroves situated on the highest parts of the bolongs do not get the required daily tidal flooding, therefore they start dying from the top.

2.6 None Point Sources

2.6.1 Urban Run-Off

Within the Tanbi Wetland National Park (a Marine Protected Area), close to the capital city is a dumping place for groundnut shell. During the rainy season these shells are carried by running water to the river, (figure 9). The other problem is the settlement of about 10 to 15 huts established next to the estuary for temporal and permanent stays during the working times, besides it is an evident to find tires (figure 10) and other rubbish thrown within wetland areas that are carried by run-offs and deposited in the mangrove areas.

Fig. 9: Groundnut shells dumped at the Tanbi Fig:10 Deposits of Tires and rubbish in the mangroves

2.6.2 Agriculture and Horticultural Run-Off

Agricultural empiétement has also played an important role in habitat loss and fragmentation. Coupled with the high population pressure and as a result increasing demand on the available land. The extension of agricultural land area has significantly reduced the size of natural habitats. The farming systems have diverged from subsistence family food production to extensive cash Crop production which have led to deforestation and shortening of fallow periods. These processes have eroded the country's biological diversity without any significant increase in farm yield. For example, over 22% of original forest area was destroyed between 1982-1989 (Ridder, 1991) with a corresponding increase in agricultural land.

2.6.3 Coastal erosion

The Gambian coastal and marine biodiversity is seriously threatened by coastal erosion and sand mining. The rate of erosion of The Gambian coastline has been estimated to be 1-2 metres per year amounting to a land loss averaging 2.5 -3.0 ha of land per year or 200,000 - 300,000 m3 per year (Delft hydraulics, 1992).

2.6.4 Landfills and hazardous Waste sites Sanitation

Infrastructures for solid waste management are inadequate. Through the Poverty Alleviation & Capacity Building Project implemented by GAMWORKS; Bakoteh Dumpsite will be re- engineered into a more environmentally friendly landfill site. However, there is need for investment in the heavy equipment necessary for the management of the dumpsite. Furthermore, Bakoteh is a short-term solution, as it is supposed to be closed in 3 years time. Work on a new landfill site need to be started as soon as possible. In this regard, the Louis Berger Report on Waste Management in the Greater Banjul Area, includes the feasibility studies for other landfill site suggested at Tambana, is relevant.

2.7 Areas of Concern (what areas are affected or vulnerable)

The Coastal strip has been subjected to considerable pressure from human activity for many decades. Tourism development has contributed in the degradation of the natural habitat and the ecosystem in the processes of infrastructural development, besides light from hotels and noise from activities taking place at the beach forbid turtle nesting along the beaches among others. Fishing activities taking place close to the spawning areas are as well contributing to destruction of the ecosystem, mangrove cutting for fish smoking, land clearing for agricultural development and timber harvesting has had considerable impacts. The original primary habitat of the coastal strip was closed woodland dominated by Rhum Palm (Borassus aethiopium), which has been gradually disappearing and only remnants remain.

Forest clearance on a massive scale for agricultural development, urban growth and general pressures from increasing population have reduced the extent, diversity and stability of the coastal and marine ecosystem of Tujereng and Sanyang Forests.

The coastal zone, like the entire country, is generally low-lying barely a meter above sea level at some points. The study, (Jallow et al., 1996), had indicated that a one-meter rise in sea level would lead to the inundation of a total of 92,320,000sq km of land along the immediate coast line. Apparently, low lying areas affected by this prediction are the critical ecosystems of the Tanbi Wetland National Park, which amount to 6000ha of mangroves and also the Bijol Islands that are identified as turtle and birds nesting grounds.

The estuarine zone of the River Gambia sea level rise may initially favor the mobilization and export of materials from the wetland sediments, the same process could equally release pollutants into aquatic system. The loose of estuarine mangrove are results of sea level rise, among others, and are likely to have serious negative impacts on the fisheries as it provide refuge, spawning, nursery grounds, feeding areas for crustaceans, shellfish, ocean nekton marine and marine mammals

Wetlands of The Gambia are continually undergoing natural change due to subsidence, drought, sea-level rise, or filling with sediment or organic material. Losses of wetlands in this country are specifically due to intensive agriculture, industrial development, or residential uses. Climatological change, eutrophication and bad fishing practices have degraded much of the wetlands. The view that wetlands are wastelands, a view which results from ignorance or misunderstanding of the value of the goods and services they provide, has also resulted in the degradation of this valuable resource.

The Gambia possesses three distinct fish habitats: fresh, brackish water (Riverine) and marine habitats. The country is not endowed with lacustrine habitats of significant size and importance. The riverine system consists of numerous tributaries locally called bolongs, adjacent flood plains and seasonal flood pools.

The Gambia possess both major fish habitats (Marine and Riverine fish habitats), with more than 800 freshwater and marine species. The marine waters contains more diverse fish species with about 500 species while riverine system with the estuary included about 70 fish species (Albaret et., al 2002)

Mangroves and other wetland ecosystems throughout The Gambia are threatened by anthropogenic factors such as conversion to other land uses, overharvesting wetland products, etc as well as natural factors such as mangrove die-back. This has led to the decline or disruption of the ecological values provided by these ecosystems such fish breeding grounds, resulting in the loss of some species.

Maine Protected Areas in the comprise more than 4.9% with the latest policy aiming at more than 10% with a proportional regional distribution. The parks ( Niumi National Park, Tanji Bird Reserve, Abuko Nature Reserve, Bao Bolon Wetland Reserve, Kiang West National Park. Tanbi Wetland National Park and Bolong Fenyo Community Wildlife Reserve)and reserves of the Gambia have been specially chosen for the endangered natured of the habitat type and/or species found within them. The intention is to provide a safe haven for flora and fauna to flourish without undue interference from man. A limited range of resource utilization by local communities is permitted provided that, this is compatible with the aims and objectives of the protected areas concerned. MPAs are face with numerous difficulties (technical and financial capacities) and challenges, particularly Tanbi, which is located at capital city. 22

3.0. Establishment of Priorities

General priorities established by government geared towards five pillars for national development. This is highlighted in the Program for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE, 2012-2015), which replaces the Poverty Reduction Strategic Plan (PRSP). The pillars are as following:

1. Accelarating and Sustainable Economic growth; fisheries, agriculture, trade, forestry and tourism

2. Improving and Modernizing Infrastructure: Energy, Information, Communication and Infrastructure.

3. Strengthening Human Capital Stock to Enhance Employment Opportunities; Health, Education Water and Sanitation.

4. Improving Governance and Fighting Corruption; Civil service Reform, Public procurement, Public Financial Management, Decentralized land Use Planning and Community Development.

5. Reinforcing Social Cohesion and Crosscutting Interventions; gender, population, data and Statistics, disability and social protection, nutrition, disaster management, HIV/AID

Embedded is a three years project titled; Enhance resilience for the coastal areas and communities to climate change, lunched February 2014 (table 1) to be implemented by National Environment Agency, Fisheries Department and other relevant institution. This project intends to solve some of problems of coastal and marine degradation emanating from land base pollution. It further attempts introduce alternatives to livelihood for resilience from the coastal and marine ecosystem.

Table: 1 Funded Project by UNDP, Lunch February 2014 to be implemented

PRIORITY TITLE OF THE PROJECT COVERAGE COST LISTING ESTIMATES

1 Restoration/Protection of coastal Banjul and Kanifing 2,300,000 environments Municipalities

2 Rehabilitation of Early Warning All Regions 450,000 Systems on Climate-Related Natural Hazards

3 Improvement of Fresh Water All Regions 910,000.00 Availability

4 Diversification and Intensification of Nationwide 2,710,000 Agricultural Production, Processing and Marketing

5 Expansion of Community All Regions 1,412,000 Participation in the Management of Forests and Protected Areas

6 Expansion and Intensification of All Regions 2,753,000 Agro-forestry and Re-forestation Activities

7 Briquetting and Carbonization of Western Region, Banjul 230,000 Groundnut Shells Municipality

8 Reduction of climate change related Kanifing Municipality, 1,217,000 diseases Central River and Upper River Regions

9 Improved livestock and rangeland North Bank, Lower 2,800,000 management for food security and River, and Upper River environmental sustainability Regions

10 Increasing fish production through Coastal and inland zones 300,000 aquaculture and conservation of post harvest fishery products

TOTAL 15,082,000

3.1 Waste Management

Among these priorities is waste management study for the protection of the marine environment among others; the study is to identify technically and economically sound waste collection, treatment or disposal. In addition it will provide a solid waste management master plan (SWMMP) for over 25 years planning period (National Water and Electricity Company, 2006).

3.2 Sanitation

Sanitary will be used as one of the most effective tools in measuring the health of the nation, Operation Clean the Nation (OCN) which is conducted monthly (last Saturday of every month from 9 am – 1 pm) is a national initiative and is meant to enhance the retention of public health by removing garbage from households and public views. It is an effective tool in measuring the health of the nation coordinated by, National Environmental Agency (NEA), partnered with all relevant stakeholders.

Coastal sanitary control has been conducted for shellfish because of the direct relationship between pollution of shellfish habitat areas and the transmission of diseases to humans. Shellfish borne infectious diseases generally are transmitted via a faecal-oral route. The cycle usually begins with faecal contamination of the shellfish growing waters. Sources of such contamination are many and varied. Contamination by human activities carried via runoff, dumping and direct discharges are due cause for shellfish pollutions, particularly Clams, oysters and mussels. During feeding large quantities of water are pumped through their bodies during normal feeding process. The shellfish also concentrate microorganisms, which may include pathogenic microbes, and synthetic organic contaminants. To reduce the human health risk of consuming shellfish from contaminated areas, it is imperative that shellfish growing areas are free from pollution and the hygienic and sanitary conditions of the environments are improved. Water quality assessment is on going for the suitability of water quality for its intended uses (purposes). National Research Institute (NARI) under its Participatory Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds Project funded this assessment program. The staffs of Water Quality Division, under the Department of Water Resources collaboratively carry out this program. Samplings are done at strategic points along the streams (subsequently analyzed), bolongs (streams), tributaries and the River Gambia from the coast to inland waters.

3.3 Aquaculture practices

As an alternative to capture fisheries, aquaculture contributes to alleviating poverty and facilitating improvement of the nutritional standard of the population. Aquaculture development has been established for both fin fisheries and shell fisheries, funded by UNDP to enhance resilience on coastal areas and communities. Though it is new here, but considering its expansion in future can result to pollutant, discharges from aquaculture contains lots of organic matter from 25

left over feed and also contains large quantity of chemicals such as anti-biotic use in shrimp farming. These pollutants can as well increase the biological oxygen demand (BOD), which can result to fish kills through suffocation. Escape of exotic species can result to biological pollution.

3.4 Oyster Culture as a Protective Measure

The shellfish fishery of The Gambia is characterized by oyster harvesting and cockle gathering, processing are done along the river estuary, tributaries (“Bolongs”) of the river, lagoons and in wetland areas. Oyster and cockle business is an important source of livelihood for many people (Jola) resident in wetland areas (figure 11), the majority of who are women. Harvesting of oyster from mangroves (figure12) was unsustainably done. The method of harvesting damages the mangroves when chopped off the mangroves stems or sometimes harvests juvenile leading to destructive fisheries. To reduce pressure on the natural resource sustainable method of harvesting cockles are established through oyster culture (figure 13) and use of baskets with holes for collecting cockles, letting the juveniles to drop back to the mud.

Fig 11: Women thought how to picking cockles Fig12: oysters on mangroves

Fig13: Ropes deep in water for culture

3.5 Management Objectives for Priority Problems

Government in partnership with FAO/DFID/SFLP in W/A focus on how to reducing poverty and improving livelihood of the fisheries dependent communities. As part of planning, formulation of proposed SFLP and its profiling study in the coastal and inlands fisheries communities formulated objectives such as:

 To Identify who are poor in fishing communities  To find their located  To find out how many are they and why  To establish a baseline information on livelihood of project beneficiaries.

Back to the Land is another initiative undertaken by government. For all wherever possible to be engage in agricultural activities. Initiated for cultivating what we eat and eat what are cultivated as means of securing food for all.

3.5.1 Objectives for the Protection of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems

 Promote integrated coastal and marine management  Control coastal erosion, sand mining and marine pollution  Control the introduction of alien species into the marine environment  Protect the mangrove habitats along the shores of the River Gambia.  Rehabilitate the degraded mangrove areas and wetlands  Develop a wetlands policy  Create awareness about the importance of wetlands and methods for their wise use.  Carry out a survey of wetlands to assess their size and distribution, composition

3.5.2 Health Objectives:

 To measure health of the nation

 To ensure that household waste are in bins

 Coastal and marine environment are free from waste

3.5.3 The objectives of National Shellfish Sanitation Programme are based on:

Evaluation of the pollution sources of the shoreline for accurate assessment at the Tanbi estuary (at the coast opening to the ocean) detecting the effect of water quality for shellfish growing and harvesting, with the intention of recommending to competent authorities on closures of polluted

areas for shellfish harvesting and growing. These objectives are based on biological, ecological, social and economic issues.

3.5.4 Biological Objective:

 Sustainable harvesting of the cockle and oyster resources that prevents small sized juveniles from being harvested and allows larger more valuable oysters and cockles to be harvested.

3.5.5 Ecological Objective:  Maintain the health and functioning of the mangrove ecology, thereby protecting important habitats of oysters and other shellfish, finfish, and marine mammals including the West African manatee.

3.5.6 Social Objective:  Strengthen Community Participation in planning, implementation and decision making in the rational and sustainable use and management of the oyster and cockle resources.

3.5.7 Economic Objective:  Access to improved markets, financing, and poverty reduction among oyster harvesters.

Integrated Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Management (ICAM II) Project funded by the PRCM. And World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) in collaboration with the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPWM) implemented the Project. The objective is to conserve and sustainably manage globally significant biodiversity in coastal, marine and wetland ecosystems in The Gambia and to transfer those lessons to Senegal and Guinea Bissau. They iintervened in four key areas of Conservation in Gambia to:

 Improve the surrounding communities Livelihood

 Habitats and species conservation

 Build institutions capacity for conservation

 Conduct Research to improve knowledge and understanding.

4.0 Identification, Evaluation and Selection of Strategies and Measures

Back to the Land is an initiative for all in the country to be engaged in agricultural activities. Besides sanitation provision is another effective tools the government is using to obtain a healthy nation, Operation Clean the Nation (OCN) which is conducted monthly (last Saturday of every month) is one national initiative to enhance the retention of public health by removing garbage from households and public views. In response to this national initiative, National Environmental Agency (NEA) being the coordinating agency in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;

Household, streets, wetland sites, beaches, etc. are cleaned on selected last Saturdays of each month. Transport provided for waste collection and dumped at the Bakoteh dump site, a legal dump site recommended by the state for dumping of refuse within KMC by both public and private waste collectors.

The communities around the Bolongs were selected based on the intensity of the die back, the suitability of the site for mangrove reforestation and the level of the impact on the livelihood of the communities were taken into consideration. This was initiated by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), with full participation of the affected communities. This was done to develop their skills and knowhow to ensure sustainability through taking ownership of the initiative.

The project preceding encouraged and promoted partnership with community Base Organizations, Village Development Committees (VDCs), involved in environmental oriented activities as entry points to penetrate the communities and to acquire local confidence and commitment. Memorandum of Understanding signed with Community and Youth Development Association. The project supported the association with funds to conduct sensitization on mangrove planting prior to the planting dates, collection of propagules (figure 14), simple tools or materials required for the planting exercise, food for the communities during planting and T-shirts to publicize the initiative. The association was responsible for the restoration of the degraded sites.

Fig.14: Team collecting matured propagules Fig. 15 Strorage method of propagules

Participants involved were trained on identifying of matured propagules and the methods of collection and storage (figure 15). This was done to ensure that immature propagules are not harvested which may not subsequently sprout when planted. The project supported the communities by hiring a pirogue to take the teams to the collection sites and as well as other necessary logistics for the collectors during the days of collection. Planting is done in two meter rows as indicated in (figure 17).

Fig. 16: Removing the caps covering the shoots fig.17: planting 2meters between rows

Natural resource mandatory institutions have developed strategic action plans driven from the sector policies to manage the countries natural resources. Strategic dump sites have been identified (Bakoteh), hazardous chemical band, Marine protected areas created, penalties for illegal dumping, discharge of household waste in the open environment forbidden, fishing with wrong mesh sizes and landing of juvenile fish forbidden , cutting of mangroves, etc. A participatory approach, formulated to build consensus and mutual understanding, involving all elements of the sectors. The strategies developed focused on two approaches; macro-economic and sectoral policies, aimed at alleviating poverty and improving social services and people centre participatory process which involved local communities in managing their development.

4.1 Protected Areas as Adaptive Measures

West Africa sub-region has developed strong policy for protected areas and marine protected areas to provide refuge to significant biodiversity. Management Plans for PAs and species are being implementing in this regard.

Co-management and seasonal closure of fisheries is another adaptive measure taken by governments and fisher folks. Artisanal Fisheries Associations have taken the initiative to set aside 1 nautical mile no fish zone starting from the beach to protect the juveniles.

Regular monitoring of species and habitats, recognized as a tool to take relevant measures to changing features is being implemented (ecological surveys, dolphin, marine turtle surveys, PA rapid assessment, etc.) for many species including the fisheries such as Department of Parks and Wildlife, Fisheries Department, National Environment Agency, etc. 30

4.2 Village gardening as an alternative

Village gardening is used to conservation and improved livelihood of the MPA‟s surrounding communities. Sustainable activities such as modern beekeeping, ecotourism, organized horticultural system using organic products, credit and saving system for women all combined with adult literacy programs were all implemented by the same project.

Fig 18: Vegetable gardening The process of implementing the biological gardening a consultant was hired to support the implementation of the program for sustainable use and identify with local stakeholders to locate four areas for the project funded gardens for the women, well digging, seed management, and biological pesticide production. Well digging was identified as the second step to establish sustainable biological gardening. Through Water Resources Department qualified contractor‟s services digging of the wells.

4.3 Village Banking For each village bank (figure 19), the ICAM II project initially invested €1, 300.00 as loan to fifty women, each receiving €26.00. At the end of each month a woman saves in the bank a minimum of €1.00. At the end six-month period (or cycle) each of the fifty women in a bank saves a minimum of €6.00. At the end of a cycle, the fifty women saved a minimum of €300.00. At the end of 2011 the total savings for the ten banks amounted to € 11, 325.00 representing 31% of the savings. To reducing pressure on natural resources and alleviating poverty by supporting income generating activities, social cohesion were strengthened. This will in turn protect the natural resources in line with assisting them develop sustainable livelihood activities as an alternative.

Fig 19: Women village banking

4.4 Erosion Control Series of actions have been taken by our government to protect our coast and the biodiversity, such as the rhun palm (stem of a palm tree) groynes, beach nourishment, construction of sea wall, etc. to contain coastal erosion.

5.0 Criteria for Evaluating the Effectiveness Strategies and Measures

The Program for Accelerating Growth and Employment 2012 – 2015 (PAGE) development program commits itself to conserve and promote the rational use of the nation's natural resources and environment for the benefit of present and future generations in a manner that is consistent with the overall goal of sustainable development at all levels. The PAGE is in harmony with the Gambia Environment Action Plan (GEAP).

Reports of different studies conducted nationwide on environmental protection and improvement of the wellbeing of the people, waste management and landfill strategic locations, sureline sanitation, poverty reduction, national biodiversity strategic action plans, Gambia environmental action plan, among others has indicated achievement to some degree of the outcomes, practically water quality, sanitation, environmental management (mangrove planting, marine protected areas, use of organic for horticulture production, aquaculture, community involvement in management issues, etc.). Though there‟s need for enhance capacity building, sensitization on contaminates management and more research to be conducted to enhance management efforts. 6.0 Program Support Elements

Various legal, policy and institution measures were taken by government to promote the conservation and sustainable use of her biodiversity. The earlier approach was to develop sector specific laws and policies. However, the most recent policy initiatives have adopted new strategies focusing on institutional strengthening of administrative and legislative capacities, public education to create greater awareness, community conservation and research. Several cross-sectoral policies, legislation and action plans, such as the GEAP have been developed. Specific commitment biodiversity conservation stretches from 1977, when the President made a

declaration on conservation of wild flora and fauna, which is popularly known as The Banjul Declaration.

In the wildlife sector, the initial policy strategy was to set up a system of protected areas and a total of six national parks were established. The new policy objective is to increase national parks to 5% of total land area and putting emphasis on community conservation. In the fisheries sector, the broad policy objectives are to encourage rational exploitation of coastal and inland fisheries, to increase employment, maximize foreign exchange earnings and to improve the nutritional standard of the population. This is based on the strategy of expanding extension efforts and facilities by strengthening the operational capacity of the department of fisheries, undertaking basic research on fishery resources and detailed surveys to establish sustainable yields, and the protection of the territorial water. Recently, the Government has also adopted the policy of involvement of the local communities in the management of aquatic and fisheries resources.

6.1 Relevant National Policies for the Management of the Environment

Presently, legislation and controls are the major means to protect the environment from the negative impacts of human activities. The concept of shared responsibility is being increasingly advocated. This approach involves all economic players including government, public and private enterprise and above all the general public, both as citizens and consumers.

6.2 Integrated Coastal and Marine Conservation and Management (ICAM)

The DPWM secured funding from Global Environment facility for integrated coastal and marine management. This project collected national baseline information on marine turtles and cetaceans for the elaboration of a national conservation plan, as well as promoting public education and awareness. The DPWM collaborated with the Department of Fisheries, fishing communities and a local NGO, the Gunjur Environmental Protection and Development Group (GEPADG), to conduct marine mammals monitoring activities along the coast.

6.3 Institutional Framework for Natural Resources Management

The following are legal instruments for environmental protection and natural resources management that have implications for the coastal environment and marine environment activities:

Institutional Acts:

National Environmental Management Act, 1994

In 1994, the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) establishing a National Environment Management Council (NEMC) and a National Environmental Management Agency was enacted.

Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides Control Management Act, 1994

The purpose of the Act is the control and management of the manufacture, distribution and use of hazardous chemicals and pesticides. The Act establishes a Hazardous Chemicals And Pesticides Control Management Board responsible for the registration, control, and management of all hazardous chemicals and pesticides in the country.

Environmental Protection (Prevention of Dumping) Act, 1988

The Act makes provision for the prevention of the dumping of industrial wastes and for the protection of the environment. This Act defines dumping as "any disposal of wastes into land within The Gambia or into any waters under the jurisdiction of The Gambia". environment initiatives, appears to be the involvement of user groups and local communities, mechanisms for cooperation between administrations, legal provisions needs to provide a strong structure, including local, and national elements to reflect the needs of different areas, and clearly stated objectives.

National Water Resources Council Act

The Act establishes National Water Resources Council, which is vested with the responsibility, inter alia, of formulating the policy of the Government on water resources development, water utilization and conservation, and of anything incidental to the development and utilization of water resources. The Council is also required to approve plans submitted by the National Water Resources Committee, which is also established under the Act.

Local Government Act, 2002

The Banjul City Council, the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and the Brikama area council are the three urban councils of the Gambia. KMC was part of the Brikama District Council until 1963 when the Government established the Kanifing Urban District Council (KUDC). In 1990 the KUDC was upgraded to a municipality by the KMC Act 1990. This Act was repealed in April 2002 and replaced by the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA 2002), which establishes and 34

regulates a decentralized local Government system and specifies the functions, powers and duties of established local authorities.

The Local Government Act provides for setting standards and guidelines in liaison with NEA at the national level. The Councils, under the LGA has the authority to enter, examine any land or premises within its jurisdiction, for the purpose of carrying out any inspection, inquiry under the act or by-laws of the Council. The Act also confers to the Councils authority to arrest without warrant any person it reasonably believes has committed an offence against the provisions of the Act or any order, by law or regulation made under it. Thus the councils have the powers to prevent illegal dumping of solid waste within their jurisdiction.

Public Health Act, 1990

The Public Health Act was enacted to make provision for public and environmental health and connected matters. The Act empowers the Minister to make regulations relating to the collection, removal and sanitary disposal of rubbish, night soil and other offending matter. The Act also mandates the Director of Health Services, who heads the Department of Public Health (DPH), inter alia, to abate nuisances and to remove or correct any condition that may be injurious to public health.

Ports Act (1972)

The Authority established under the Act is required among other things to prevent pollution in Gambian waters. The Port (Wharves) Regulations, 1972 made pursuant to the Act prohibits the dumping of dirt, ashes, bottles, stones, ballast, cargo or anything of a like nature into the water from any wharf.

Factories Regulations

Regulation 20 of the Factories Regulations made pursuant to The Factories Act, 1941 makes provision for the disposal of waste by requiring the occupier to remove all refuse and waste products from the factory at daily intervals on any day that the factory is used, and disposed of in a manner that satisfies the Factories Board.

Physical Planning and Development Control Act, 1990

The Planning Board established under the Act is mandated to prepare development plans generally indicating, among others things, the different land-use zones and utilities services.

Development Control Regulations, 1995

These Regulations were made pursuant to the Physical Planning and Development Control Act, 1991. The Regulations lays down certain guidelines in relation to development structures. The 35

thrust of the regulations in relation to waste management is contained in regulations 79 to 98. In a nutshell, these provisions lay down the requirements for sanitation, drainage and disposal of waste from premises and public utilities.

National Water and Electricity Corporation (NAWEC)

NAWEC is a private limited liability company providing a public service. It is also considered to be a governmental parastatal subject to the Public Enterprises Act for supply of water; and the provision, operation and maintenance of sewerage facilities and services.

It should be noted that there is no specific legislation dealing with electrical power in the country and the manner by which waste oil from generators of NAWEC or similar institutions are to be disposed of. The only legislation that deals specifically with the prevention of the discharge of oil on land is section 38(1) of NEMA.

There are considerable legislative and policy frameworks for the protection of the biological resources. Key elements for the success of marine and coastal environment initiatives, appears to be the involvement of user groups and local communities, mechanisms for cooperation between administrations, legal provisions needs to provide a strong structure, including local, and national elements to reflect the needs of different areas, and clearly stated objectives.

Marine protected areas (MPA) may help maintain relatively healthy fish stocks, but need Law enforcement due to illegal human activities such as; waste dumping, fishing, agricultural activities, etc. All proposed developments within the limits of the wetland complex are subjected to a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by the National Environment Agency to:

 Ensure that environmental issues are taken into consideration in a projects life, from consideration to implementation.

 Ensure that development projects are environmentally appropriate among other things.

Consequently The Gambia has become a signatory and a party to various regional and international treaties and agreements, which are related to or affect biodiversity, including the sustainable management of wetlands. The international conventions include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and The International Conservation Union (IUCN). The regional agreements to which The Gambia is a party include the Convention for Cooperation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African region (WACAF), the Algiers Convention on the Conservation of Nature and

Natural Resources. Recently, the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Senegal for the transboundary management of the protected area of Nuimi and Delta du Saloum National Parks located in The Gambia and Senegal respectively. This MOU could form the basis for the transboundary management of the Delta by the two countries. 7.0 The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands As a party to the Ramsar convention certain wetlands have been declared as Ramsar sites and have therefore been given a protected status by The Gambia Government and are recognized for the value of their wildlife. They are among the most productive of the world‟s ecosystems and have vital importance for biodiversity. The Gambia ratified the Ramsar Convention on the 26th of March 1996. Following this, the Bao- Bolong Wetland Reserve was designated as Ramsar site, and later the Tan- Bi wetland was also declared as a Ramsar Site. It is proposed that Niumi National Park be also designated as another Ramsar Site in the near future. These sites have been selected by the Government of The Gambia for their importance and value as habitats for a variety of wildlife including birds and mammals, and their functions in the maintenance of a healthy environment.

8.0 Environmental Education

Environmental education has been introduced in the educational policy programs which have been integrated into school‟s curricula. Training institutions, universities and other educational institutions to sensitize and build awareness in basic and higher educational institutions. In building environmental awareness on wetlands different forms of educational systems has been applied such as formal, non-formal and informal.

9.0 Conclusion

The protection of coastal and marine environment from land base pollution is a priority for the government and is in line with development issues undertaken for conservation of the biodiversity and habitat. It is in the policy objectives mandatory departments to protect and conserve the country‟s biodiversity and habitat, but there is an inadequate technical and financial resource to conduct some of the activities.

Liter is at large quantity particularly in wetland areas and at street corners despite the regular monthly nationwide cleaning and anti littering law. Another problem is illegal dumping and open landfills which hazardoze particularly during the rainy seasons, hazardoze materials are carried by run-offs to the main river.

Agricultural activities close to the wetland should be in line with environmentally friendly organics without degradation of the marine ecosystem. The previous beach nourishment is not successful, which should be further research on for protection of the coastal area.

Natural resource law enforcement remains to be enhancing for conservation and protection of the marine and coastal environment, coupled with, awareness on the effects of pollution on human health and biodiversity.

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Republic of The Gambia. 1994. National Environment Management Act 1994. Banjul, The Gambia. Republic of The Gambia. 1996. The Gambia Incorporated: Vision 2020. Banjul, The Gambia. Republic of The Gambia. 1999. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Terminal Evaluation Report – Integrated Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Management (ICAM) II Project. 19pp. The Louis Bergtyer Group, Inc., 2003: Pover Alleviation and Capacity Building Project – Solid Waste Management Study for the Greater Banjul Area and Brikama. Gambia. 31pp United Nations Development Program, 2012-2016: Enhance Resilience of Vulnerable Coastal Areas and Communities to Climate Change, Banjul. The Gambia Vandaele. M & Wynckel D. V, 2010 – 2011: Implementation of a Sustainable Project in the Tanbi Wetland National Park, Banjul. The Gambia. 198pp Vulnerability Assessment of Central Coastal Senegal (Saloum)and the Gambia Marine Coast and Estuary to Climate Change Induced Effects, 2012: Consolidated Report Gambia- Senegal Sustainable Fisheries Project. USAID/BA NAFAA Banjul, The Gambia

APPENDIX METHODOLOGY FOR THE REPORT The major threats to the health and productivity and biodiversity of the marine environment result from human activities on land -in coastal areas and further inland. Most of the pollution load of the oceans, including municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes and run-off, as well as atmospheric deposition, emanates from such land-based activities and affects the most productive areas of the marine environment, including estuaries and near-shore coastal waters. These areas are likewise threatened by physical alteration of the coastal environment, including destruction of habitats of vital importance for ecosystem health. Moreover, contaminants which pose risks to human health and living resources are transported long distances by watercourses, ocean currents and atmospheric processes.

Aims of the Global Programme of Action

productive capacity and biodiversity of the marine environment, ensuring the protection of human health, as well as promoting the conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources.

The global programme of action

Objectives

To develop comprehensive, continuing and adaptive programmes of action within the framework of integrated coastal area management which should include provisions for:

(a) Identification and assessment of problems; (b) Establishment of priorities; (c) Setting management objectives for priority problems; 42

(d) Identification, evaluation and selection of strategies and measures, including management approaches; (e) Criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of strategies and programmes; (f) Programme support elements.

Actions

States should, in accordance with their policies, priorities and resources, develop or review national programmes of action within a few years and take forward action to implement these programmes with the assistance of the international cooperation identified in chapter IV, in particular to developing countries, especially the least developed countries, countries with economies in transition and small island developing States (hereinafter referred to as "countries in need of assistance"). The effective development and implementation of national programmes of action should focus on sustainable, pragmatic and integrated environmental management approaches and processes, such as integrated coastal area management, harmonized, as appropriate, with river basin management and land-use plans.

Recommended actions to give effect to the objectives in the development of national programmes of action by States are summarized in sections A, B, C, D, E and F below. They are illustrated in more detail in the actions and targets identified in chapter V below.

A. IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEMS

The identification and assessment of problems is a process of combining five elements:

(a) Identification of the nature and severity of problems in relation to:

(i) Food security and poverty alleviation; (ii) Public health; (iii) Coastal and marine resources and ecosystem health, including biological diversity; 43

(iv) Economic and social benefits and uses, including cultural values;

(b) Contaminants:

(i) Sewage; (ii) Persistent organic pollutants; (iii) Radioactive substances; (iv) Heavy metals; (v) Oils (hydrocarbons); (vi) Nutrients; (vii) Sediment mobilization; (viii) Litter;

(d) Sources of degradation:

(i) Point sources (coastal and upstream), such as:

a. Waste-water treatment facilities; b. Industrial facilities; c. Power plants; d. Military installations; e. Recreational/tourism facilities; f. Construction works (e.g., dams, coastal structures, harbour works and urban expansion); g. Coastal mining (e.g., sand and gravel); h. Research centres; i. Aquaculture;

j. Habitat modification (e.g., dredging, filling of wetlands or clearing of mangrove areas); k. Introduction of invasive species;

(ii) Non-point (diffuse) sources (coastal and upstream), such as: a. Urban run-off; b. Agricultural and horticultural run-off; c. Forestry run-off; d. Mining waste run-off; e. Construction run-off; f. Landfills and hazardous waste sites; g. Erosion as a result of physical modification of coastal features;

(iii) Atmospheric deposition caused by:

a. Transportation (e.g., vehicle emissions); b. Power plants and industrial facilities; c. Incinerators; d. Agricultural operations;

(e) Areas of concern (what areas are affected or vulnerable):

(i) Critical habitats, including coral reefs, wetlands, seagrass beds, coastal lagoons and mangrove forests; (ii) Habitats of endangered species; (iii) Ecosystem components, including spawning areas, nursery areas, feeding grounds and adult areas; (iv) Shorelines; (v) Coastal watersheds; (vi) Estuaries and their drainage basins; 45

(vii) Specially protected marine and coastal areas; and (viii) Small islands.

B. ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIORITIES

Priorities for action should be established by assessing the five factors described above and should specifically reflect:

(a) The relative importance of impacts upon food security, public health, coastal and marine resources, ecosystem health, and socio-economic benefits, including cultural values, in relation to: (i) Source-categories (contaminants, physical alteration, and other forms of degradation and the source or practice from which they emanate);

(ii) The area affected (including its uses and the importance of its ecological characteristics); (b) The costs, benefits and feasibility of options for action, including the long-term cost of no action. In the process of establishing priorities for action and throughout all stages of developing and implementing national programmes of action, States should:

(i) Apply integrated coastal area management approaches, including provision to involve stakeholders, in particular local authorities and communities and relevant social and economic sectors, including non-governmental organizations, women, indigenous people and other major groups; (ii) Recognize the basic linkages between the freshwater and marine environments through, inter alia, application of watershed management approaches; (iii) Recognize the basic linkages between sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, poverty alleviation and protection of the marine environment; (iv) Apply environmental impact assessment procedures in assessing options; (v) Take into account the need to view such programmes as an integrated part of existing or future comprehensive environmental programmes; 46

(vi) Take steps to protect: (i) critical habitats, using community-based participatory approaches that are consistent with current approaches to conservation and uses compatible with sustainable development; and (ii) endangered species; (vii) Integrate national action with any relevant regional and global priorities, programmes and strategies; (viii) Establish focal points to facilitate regional and international cooperation; (ix) Apply the precautionary approach and the principle of intergenerational equity.

The precautionary approach should be applied through preventive and corrective measures based on existing knowledge, impact assessments, resources and capacities at national level, drawing on pertinent information and analyses at the subregional, regional and global levels.

Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent the degradation of the marine environment.

C. SETTING MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES FOR PRIORITY PROBLEMS

On the basis of the priorities established, States should define specific management objectives, both with respect to source categories and areas affected. Such objectives should be set forth in terms of overall goals, targets and timetables, as well as specific targets and timetables for areas affected and for individual industrial, agricultural, urban and other sectors. Wherever possible, States should take immediate preventive and remedial action using existing knowledge, resources, plans and processes.

D. IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF STRATEGIES AND MEASURES

Strategies and programmes to achieve these management objectives should include a combination of:

(a) Specific measures, including, as appropriate:

(i) Measures to promote sustainable use of coastal and marine resources and to prevent/reduce degradation of the marine environment, such as:

a. Best available techniques (*) and best environmental practices, including substitution of substances or processes entailing significant adverse effects; b. Introduction of clean production practices, including efficient use of energy and water in all economic and social sectors; c. Application of best management practices; d. Use of appropriate, environmentally sound and efficient technologies; e. Product substitution;

(ii) Measures to modify contaminants or other forms of degradation after generation, such as: a. Waste recovery; b. Recycling, including effluent reuse; c. Waste treatment;

(iii) Measures to prevent, reduce or ameliorate degradation of affected areas, such as:

a. Environmental quality criteria, with biological, physical and/or chemical criteria for measuring progress;

b. Land-use planning requirements, including criteria for setting of major facilities; c. Rehabilitation of degraded habitats;

(b) Requirements and incentives to induce action to comply with measures, such as:

(i) Economic instruments and incentives, taking into account the "polluter pays" principle and the internalization of environmental costs; (ii) Regulatory measures; (iii) Technical assistance/cooperation, including training of personnel;

* For the purposes of this Programme, "best available techniques" is understood to include socioeconomic factors.

(iv) Education and public awareness;

(c) Identification/designation of the institutional arrangement with the authority and resources to carry out management tasks associated with the strategies and programmes, including implementation of compliance provisions;

(d) Identification of short-term and long-term data-collection and research needs;

(e) Development of a monitoring and environmental-quality reporting system to review and, if necessary, help adapt the strategies and programmes;

(f) Identification of sources of finance and mechanisms available to cover the costs of administering and managing the strategies and programmes.

E. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRATEGIES AND MEASURES A key element in successful strategies and programmes is to develop ongoing means of determining whether they are meeting their management objectives. States should develop specific criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of such strategies and programmes. While such criteria must be tailored to the particular mix of elements (illustrated in section C above) in each strategy or programme, they should address:

(a) Environmental effectiveness; (b) Economic costs and benefits; (c) Equity (costs and benefits of the strategy or programme are being shared fairly); (d) Flexibility in administration (the strategy or programme can adapt to changes in circumstances); (e) Effectiveness in administration (management of the strategy or programme is costeffective and accountable); (f) Timing (the timetable needed to put the strategy or programme in place and to begin producing results); (g) Inter-media effects (the achievement of the objectives of the strategy or programme creates a net environmental benefit).

F. PROGRAMME SUPPORT ELEMENTS

The long-term objective of national programmes of action should be to develop integrated strategies and programmes to address all action priorities in relation to impacts upon the marine environment from land-based activities. In addition, the programmes of action must themselves be integrated with overall national objectives and other relevant programmes in relation to sustainable development. States therefore should seek to ensure that there are administrative and management structures necessary to support the national programmes of action. These include, as appropriate: 50

(a) Organizational arrangements to coordinate among sectors and sectoral institutions; (b) Legal and enforcement mechanisms (e.g., need for new legislation); (c) Financial mechanisms (including innovative approaches to provide continuing and predictable programme funding); (d) Means of identifying and pursuing research and monitoring requirements in support of the programme; (e) Contingency planning; (f) Human resources development and education; (g) Public participation and awareness (e.g., based on integrated coastal area management principles).