29 August 2024 – As coastal and marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Guinea face increasing threats from overexploitation and climate change, the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), supported by the Government of Togo, launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at harmonizing marine resource management across the region. The two-day inception workshop for the regional marine spatial planning (MSP) project kicked off at the Onomo Hotel in Lomé, Togo, under the auspices of the Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Resources, and Transhumance.
Keynote Addresses Highlight Regional Cooperation and Sustainability
In his opening remarks, Dr. Babale, Secretary-General of , conveyed the warm greetings of President Faure Gnassingbe and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to host this pivotal workshop. He emphasized the critical link between ecosystems and food security, urging participants to integrate these elements into management measures and to formulate the necessary recommendations during the meeting.
Kossi Ahoedo, the Project Coordinator, called for the effective implementation of the numerous agreements and conventions adopted for collective action against marine habitat degradation. He noted that this project is a key step in achieving concerted efforts to address these challenges.
Renaud Bailleux, Regional Marine and Coastal Programme Coordinator at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), emphasized that the MSP component of the project builds on earlier work to harmonize the use of marine spaces in the region. He called for greater attention to the project’s transboundary and multisectoral nature.
FCWC Secretary-General Dr. Antoine Gaston Djihinto highlighted the importance of strong collaboration among all stakeholders to seize this opportunity to combine various approaches. These include achieving both environmental and economic objectives through MSP, Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).
Project Overview: A Vision for Sustainable Marine Management
The MSP project actively supports Intervention Area 1 of the FCWC’s Strategic Action Plan 2021-2030, driving forward regional fisheries management through innovative strategies. Titled “Using Marine Spatial Planning in the Gulf of Guinea for the Implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services and Coastal Nature-Based Solutions,” this three-year, three-million-dollar pilot project is being implemented in three FCWC Member States: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.
The project aims to generate increased benefits for fisheries and coastal communities through improved ecosystem management using Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). Additionally, funds generated through Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) will be used to enhance livelihoods and contribute to coastal and marine restoration and protection.
Workshop Objectives: Establishing a Strong Foundation
The two-day launch workshop has been organized to establish the current status of MSP in the region, present a comprehensive work plan for validation, and share the Terms of Reference for the national working groups that will be created under this project. Participants will also have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the transboundary nature of marine resources and the importance of regional cooperation in managing these resources sustainably.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Regional Collaboration As the workshop concludes, stakeholders are poised to embark on a transformative journey, leveraging the power of marine spatial planning to safeguard the Gulf of Guinea’s marine ecosystems and secure the livelihoods of its coastal communities for generations to come. The FCWC, in partnership with the IUCN and with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is confident in the capacity of MSP to manage the sustainable use and protection of coastal marine resources.
