CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Ramasiarisolo M., Madagascar, September 1999
THEME = ECOLOGY
Madagascar's coastal and sea areas are a unique asset;
but they are being misused
It's only in the last ten years that the word "environment" has become an "in" word. Madagascar is the third largest island in the world and occupies a strategic position in the Indian Ocean. Researchers, specialists and even "laymen" in these matters are particularly interested in Madagascar's environment. When anyone in our neck of the woods talks about the environment (in the Malagasy language - "tontolo iainana"), he or she is, in fact, thinking about safeguarding the forests and animals. Madagascar has a fauna and flora unique in the world. But, currently, almost everywhere, the islands's coastal ecosystem is in permanent danger.
The destruction of the marine habitat - coral reefs, mangroves, marsh, algae, etc. - has had catastrophic effects on Madagascar's coastal environment. Hundreds of thousands of hectares of mangroves have been destroyed in order to build breeding ponds for shrimps. The coral reefs, where more than 25% of marine species are to be found, have been damaged by fishing tackle and through pollution. It's estimated that 10% of the coral reefs have already been destroyed and 60% could be in the same position within the next twenty years. These coral reefs form a kind of forest on the ocean bed, boosting the propagation of many marine species.
Sea pollution constitutes a real danger. In 1997, the south- eastern coast of Madagascar was polluted by toxic waste which had been drained into the sea. A number of dead fish were thrown up onto the beaches - and those responsible couldn't have cared less. Then there's the flotsam and jetsam coming from foreign boats in the port of Fort-Dauphin, in the south of the island. The coastal zones are very vulnerable, their ecosystems fragile and easily damaged by the harmful effects of industrialisation, urbanisation and other harmful pursuits.
The Montego Bay Convention states categorically that countries having a coastline, must take measures to protect their marine environment. The 1982 Convention lays down an exclusive economic zone of 200 sea miles, in which the country bordering on these waters can, within that area, determine how best to exploit the natural resources both as regards the economy and with an eye to the future. Madagascar signed this Convention on 25 February 1983, but has still not ratified it. This shows that the powers-that-be in Madagascar have understood nothing about the importance of preserving the coastal environment. Sixteen years after the signing of the treaty, successive governments have still not managed to up- date their legal texts as regards maritime law, in order to conform to the Montego Bay Convention. Moreover, a number of other important Conventions have still not been ratified by Madagascar. In particular, the 1973 Convention safeguarding the sea and coastline from pollution by ships.
A World Bank report indicates that 5,000 tankers crisscross the Indian Ocean each year. There's no excuse for remaining ignorant of these various Conventions - the consequences are too serious. The ocean becomes very vulnerable and Madagascar's coastline is under threat. The state has neglected to safeguard the marine environment, with a consequent risk of coastline erosion, reckless destruction of natural riches, haphazard fish farming development, uncontrolled tourism, thus ignoring the care that has to be taken of the sea coast.
Whose involved with development issues? When it concerns the sea and the coastal environment, then we're talking about sailors, ship-owners, coastal authorities, those who live by the sea. With increased marine and coastal pollution, the standard of living of those who live by the sea gets worse because natural resources diminish - fish stocks are becoming exhausted. People have great difficulty in adapting themselves to modern-day marketing techniques especially when they have to compete with the enormous industrial concerns.
Fishing is all-important in ensuring Madagascar's food needs. However, a consumption rate of 7.5 kg per person per annum is not much to write home about, especially for an island population. Fish is an essential food source for those living in Third World countries - likewise a major income-producing and employment source. But when it comes to harvesting the sea using industrial fishing methods, then disaster looms. Since 1970, a number of Conventions have been drawn up controlling the amount of fish which can be taken from the sea - in particular between the European Union and the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) countries; but twenty years on, both in the North and in the South, many countries, including Madagascar, have failed to live up to the terms of these Conventions concerning stock management and the safeguarding of the marine environment.
Life on earth is both rich and at the same time complex - the same goes for what lies in the sea. Both these worlds have much in common. Respect the marine environment and Madagascar's future economic situation will improve. How? Food can be produced cheaply; incomes increase; employment rises; living conditions improve. The National Office for the Environment in Madagascar has a Programme for Environmental Action (Plan II). Within this action plan, a special section dealing with "Marine and Coastal Environment (EMC) has been introduced, because of the importance of the coastal ecosystems. People are becoming aware that whole areas of the coastline are fast being eroded and damaged. Little is known about why this is happening - indeed, people don't seem to know much about anything to do with marine life and the coastline.
Action Plan II aims to ensure that coastal areas are protected for the years to come. For this purpose: Appropriate managerial structures for coastal areas will be established to improve the living conditions of those who live by the sea; ways and means will be found to prevent or at the very least, reduce the amount of pollution: the nation's marine and coastal biodiversity will be safeguarded.
How will this be tackled? On three levels: The national level - This will involve an integrated and clear-cut development policy. Development and protection of the coastline and adjoining waters will be part and parcel of the national development policy. The regional level - A regional development policy will include all that concerns the coastline and adjoining waters. The local level - This will ensure the practical implementation of the national and regional marine development policy, to be supervised and carried out by local community management. Local people will thus have a watching brief over local affairs. All these approaches are necessary because so many people in coastal areas are involved. The fishing industry, agriculture, animal husbandry, urban areas, industry in general, tourism, forestry, shipping, are all influenced in the long run.
It's clear that only the strengthening of the rules and regulations governing the well-being of our country's coastal areas and marine resources, will be able to guarantee the lasting development of the coastal areas.
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
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