Publications and Reports
The countries of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region share a common but varying dependence on the coastal resources including fisheries resources. Currently the coastal zone of the mainland states is home to over 30 million people and about 7.7 million more live on the Islands of Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Réunion (Linden and Lundin, 1997). Coastal resources in the Eastern African region have supported the livelihoods of generations of coastal dwellers and have contributed to the economic development of most countries in the region.
The following study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the development potential of the fisheries sector in Puntland, in terms of growth potential and actions/interventions required for further development. The assessment is part of UNDP’s efforts to improve livelihoods and promote economic diversification that form part of the UNDP Strategy for Poverty Reduction and Economic Recovery (PRER).
In this report a review of national policies and legislation addressing issues of the alteration and destruction of critical coastal and marine habitats, and the institutional arrangements towards alleviating the same is presented. The land-based social and economic activities impacting on the habitats and the extent to which the latter are affected is assessed. Emphasis has been placed on the link between the impacts and tourism or tourism catalysed activities.
The South Indian Ocean Blue Book was presented on Saturday, December 10th, 2011 for the seashells that took place in Saint-Pierre of La Réunion.
Clean water and the many products and services of aquatic ecosystems are necessities for human welfare. Water connects human societies and ecological systems by providing food and energy. The hydrological cycle maintains the health and stimulates the productivity and diversity of all ecosystems.
Corals as organisms and coral reefs as structures and ecosystems have fascinated scientists for centuries. Charles Darwin became well-known among natural scientists long before the publication of The Origin of Species, partly because of his studies of coral reefs and coral islands.
In 1984, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Somalia approached the Executive Director of UNEP with a request for assistance in assessing the coastal and marine environmental problems of the country in drawing up a national action plan for the protection, management and development of its marine and coastal environment.
Project Background