The Nairobi Convention serves as a regional platform to address the challenges facing coastal and marine ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) through collective interventions, dialogue, and partnerships. Contracting Parties, including Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, Reunion (France), and Seychelles, collaborate on national and regional actions to mitigate environmental stresses, aiming for both socio-economic and global environmental benefits.
These collaborative actions contribute to enhanced coastal and marine water quality management in the region, achieving local and global socio-economic and environmental benefits. To this end, the 2022-2024 Nairobi Convention work programme saw the implementation of actions to improve water quality in the region, under the auspices of Decision CP.10/10, where Contracting Parties requested the Secretariat to establish a regional task force on water quality that would support the development of a water quality monitoring framework and guidelines on national interventions for adoption at the eleventh meeting of the Contracting of Parties, and to finalize the preparation of a regional action plan to address marine litter and plastic pollution for adoption at the eleventh meeting of the Contracting Parties.
Additionally, Contracting Parties agreed on national and regional actions to mitigate environmental stresses, including implementing the Strategic Action Programme (WIOSAP) to protect the region from land-based pollution. This involved the development and implementation of a Strategic Framework for Coastal and Marine Water Quality Management (C&MWQM) in two phases: preparing a situation assessment on marine pollution, a strategic framework for C&MWQM, and guidelines for setting water and sediment quality targets.
The Guidelines for Setting Water and Sediment Quality Targets for Coastal and Marine Areas were developed to assist responsible authorities and water quality managers in setting site-specific quality targets for coastal and marine areas. These targets are intended to ensure the highest attainable environmental quality, considering economic and social opportunities and constraints, and following principles such as a precautionary approach, pollution prevention, waste minimization, and best available technologies.
To support the implementation of water quality initiatives, the Western Indian Ocean Strategic Action Programme (WIOSAP) has led numerous capacity-building workshops across the region. These workshops provide technical and hands-on training on several key areas: developing National Frameworks for Coastal and Marine Water Quality Management aligned with the strategic regional framework for the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, creating local C&MWQM Plans for marine pollution hotspots with a focus on on-the-ground implementation, and establishing environmental monitoring programs to provide data informing Coastal and Marine Water Quality Management initiatives.
The Nairobi Convention programmes have also been supporting several other on-the-ground initiatives aimed at improving water quality and reducing marine pollution. These have included the impactful wastewater management project implemented at Shimo la Tewa government prison in Mtwapa, Kenya. This water quality improvement project has ensured that raw sewage is no longer dumped into Mtwapa Creek, affecting its ecological and aesthetic value. Water from the sewage treatment facility at Shimo la Tewa now nurtures a vegetable garden that has improved food security and nutrition at Shimo la Tewa prison.
Additionally, …
Non-effective regulatory frameworks and standards for effluent discharge are harming the marine and coastal environment. This poses a challenge to CNRE and other stakeholders to find a solution. By implementing a demonstration project in the River Betsiboka estuary, CNRE aims to support the Ministry of Environment by designing a management system that effectively addresses pollution issues. The project has created sustainable conditions for pollution management through an efficient monitoring framework and a strengthened national structure with scientific capacity.
The project has implemented a small-scale demonstration in Mahé that will be replicated by small-scale farmers. It aims to raise awareness about environmental protection and sustainable farming practices. The sensitivity of the environment has limited pork production and discouraged farmers from pursuing this type of farming. Despite emphasis on reusing treated effluent in Seychelles’ Sanitation Master Plan, there is limited data on its impact on crop yield. The project forms a working group to explore the practicality and effectiveness of small-scale wetland systems in treating waste from piggeries. Ground and surface water sampling assesses pollution levels affecting downstream ecosystems.
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is investigating impaired water quality and its effects on marine resources and communities. The project aims to meet legal obligations, improve national water quality standards, and align with the SAP implementation and Nairobi Convention. Seeking funding from WIOSAP, the project focuses on managing coastal and marine ecosystems sustainably, ensuring suitable marine water quality, promoting local economic development, and minimizing environmental and social impacts. It will reduce pollution levels, monitor sources, and restore coastal ecosystems. Stakeholders will assess water quality in Buffalo and Swartkops estuaries, addressing ecological governance and shared responsibility. The project aims to meet international water quality standards by 2035 through situational analysis, corrective measures, stakeholder involvement, and community participation.
The project seeks to utilize an existing under-performing Constructed Wetland System on Pemba Island and significantly improve its long-term management, efficiency and it’s benefit to the surrounding community of more than 5,500 people, both in terms of capacity and productivity. Due to its location in a low-lying coastal area its adaptive capacity to withstand effects of sea level rise and extreme climatic events is a central part of the redesign. Increasing local capacity to operate and maintain the system is emphasized to ensure long-term sustainability and the introduction of a Payment for Ecosystems Services system will help to cover these costs. Improved utilization of the wetland plants after harvesting will increase the community’s appreciation of the system and result in cost savings and/or income generation.
- Training on Constructed Wetland Technology (CWT): Together with KMFRI and WIOMSA, WIOSAP hosted training to give participants and stakeholders the knowledge and skills to perform basic wetland design and assess existing wetland proposals.
- Oil spills work by SAPPHIRE– The SAPPHIRE project has coordinated the convening of several regional workshops held in Tanzania and Comoros to strengthen cooperation in oil spill preparedness and response.
- Marine litter project in Zanzibar by the ACP MEAS III programme – The Nairobi Convention, through the ACP MEAs 3 programme, is working with the Zanzibar Fisheries Research and Marine Resources Institute (ZAFIRI) to assess the marine water quality in Zanzibar and establish a monitoring program. This monitoring is essential for successfully implementing Zanzibar’s Blue Economy Policy.
- Ecosystem Indicator Monitoring in the Western Indian Ocean – The Regional Framework for Ecosystem Monitoring in the Western Indian Ocean provides guidelines for the Contracting Parties of the Nairobi Convention and partners implementing the Strategic Action Programmes (SAPs) initiated by the predecessors of the SAPPHIRE and WIOSAP Projects. This framework standardizes national ecosystem monitoring activities across the region, encouraging long-term, integrated, and collaborative monitoring programs. Aligned with the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, the framework supports the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development by generating essential data for understanding ocean ecosystems. It also promotes demonstration projects focused on wastewater management, marine litter, and estuarine water improvement, as well as developing regional strategies such as the Regional Marine Litter Action Plan and various assessment reports to assist governments in addressing marine litter and plastic pollution. In collaboration with the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), WIOSAP has developed water quality outputs including a situational assessment, strategic framework, guidelines, and a policy brief, to support improved water quality management in the region.
Other key initiatives include
This project aims are to address the issue of wastewater management at Shimo la Tewa Prison, a major source of pollution in Mtwapa Creek on the Kenya coast. The project uses constructed wetland technology to treat sewage and wastewater at the prison facility and improve water quality in the creek. Treated water from the system is utilized for aquaculture and farming to enhance food security. The project has also helped to improve prison sanitation by rehabilitating sewer lines and bathrooms. The project has created an efficient and sustainable constructed wetland that can be replicated nationally and regionally. This project aligns with WIOLAB TDA/SAP’s goal of reducing impacts from land-based sources and activities and managing coastal and marine ecosystems sustainably.
The current ineffective regulatory framework and discharge standards are causing damage to the marine and coastal environment due to pollution from land-based sources. The CNRE is working on this issue in the selected WIO-LAB hot spot and proposed demonstration project site. The goal is to design a management system that combines a regulatory framework, decision support tools, and monitoring to effectively tackle pollution issues. This will create better conditions for sustainable pollution management supported by a strengthened national structure and scientific capacity.
A small-scale demonstration project is implemented in Mahé, Seychelles to promote sustainable farming and environment protection among small-scale farmers. The project aims to address the limited production of pork due to environmental sensitivity and lack of data on reusing treated effluent to improve crop yield. A working group was created to explore the feasibility of small-scale wetland systems for waste treatment and the reuse of treated effluent to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers. Sampling of ground and surface waters will assess the potential downstream pollution impact on ecosystems like wetlands and marine reefs.
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has investigated the causes and impacts of impaired water quality on marine resources and dependent communities. Their goal was to uphold legal obligations, improve national water quality standards, and mitigate the effects of land-based pollution. This project aligns with the implementation of the SAP and domesticates the Nairobi Convention. It aims to ensure that marine water is fit for use and sets thresholds for multiple users in a stressed environment. The project also focuses on creating a conducive environment for sustainable economic development while minimizing the impact of poor water quality. Special attention is given to reducing pollution levels that threaten human health and fish stocks, monitoring sources, and restoring the integrity of coastal ecosystems. The project involves all stakeholders to efficiently and effectively conduct water quality assessments in the estuaries. It also addresses strategic issues such as ecological governance and shared responsibility. The project aligns with the Nairobi Convention’s goal of improving the environmental health of coastal and marine ecosystems. It aims to achieve international water quality standards in the region by 2035 through adaptive management, public education, collaboration, and government capacity building. The project includes a situational analysis, implementation of corrective measures, restoration of ecological infrastructure, catalytic interventions, stakeholder involvement, and community participation in corrective measures.
The project seeks to utilize an existing under-performing Constructed Wetland System on Pemba Island and significantly improve its long-term management, efficiency and it’s benefit to the surrounding community of more than 5,500 people, both in terms of capacity and productivity. Due to its location in a low-lying coastal area its adaptive capacity to withstand effects of sea level rise and extreme climatic events is a central part of the redesign. Increasing local capacity to operate and maintain the system is emphasized to ensure long-term sustainability and the introduction of a Payment for Ecosystems Services system will help to cover these costs. Improved utilization of the wetland plants after harvesting will increase the community’s appreciation of the system and result in cost savings and/or income generation.
- Training on Constructed Wetland Technology (CWT): Together with KMFRI and WIOMSA, WIOSAP hosted training to give participants and stakeholders the knowledge and skills to perform basic wetland design and assess existing wetland proposals.
In conclusion, the Water Quality Management efforts within the Western Indian Ocean region spearheaded by WIOSAP have made significant progress and achieved notable milestones. By focusing on enhancing water quality through the implementation of best management practices, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement, WIOSAP has successfully demonstrated the importance of sustainable and integrated management strategies in safeguarding the marine and coastal environment. Furthermore, the collaboration between governments, institutions, and local communities has played a pivotal role in promoting a holistic approach to integrated water quality management in the region. Moving forward, WIOSAP will continue building on these achievements and further strengthening partnerships to ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources in the Western Indian Ocean. By upholding rigorous monitoring protocols, enforcing regulations, and fostering knowledge sharing, WIOSAP will drive continued progress and secure a healthier aquatic coastal and marine ecosystem for posterity.
About the Nairobi Convention
The Nairobi Convention, signed by Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, and the Republic of South Africa — provides a platform for governments, civil society, and the private sector to work together for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. The Contracting Parties to the Convention are part of more than 143 countries that participate in 18 Regional Seas initiatives. It aims to address the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas through the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment by engaging countries sharing the Western Indian Ocean in actions to protect their common marine environment.
For more information about the Nairobi Convention visit this link.
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