GEO-6 for Youth: Africa
Rami Elsayed
region’s land area is covered with inland water sources, among them 63 shared river basins. This network of ocean and aquatic resources sustains natural life and provides ecosystem goods and services that are inextricably linked with life on the continent (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005).
is a major problem to both marine life and the natural beauty of the beaches. It is estimated that by 2050, we may have more plastics than fish in the ocean (WEF 2016). Unfortunately, in many cases, the value of ecosystems goods and services have been recognized only when lost through the impacts of human activities (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005).
Sustainable and equitable solutions are critical in tackling the intertwined challenges of protecting the health of both the natural environment and people. It is estimated that 1.2 billion people living in Africa rely on natural resources for their livelihood and income (Angelsen et al. 2014). The blue economy is envisaged to harness these resources for economic growth through aquaculture, tourism, mining, energy, agriculture, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical production; and provide protection to coastal inhabitants from disasters, such as floods and storms (UNEP 2013).
Aquaculture - business and jobs Blue Nile River, Khartoum
Currently, fisheries and aquaculture contribute US$24 billion to the African economy and employ over 12 million people (Africa Progress Panel 2014). The maritime industry is estimated at approximately US$1 trillion a year (World Bank and UNDESA 2017) and 90 per cent of the continent’s imports and exports are conducted by sea (World Ocean Review 2010). The rapid economic growth rates of India (Parikh et al. 2018) and China (McKibbin and Huang 1996) have been attributed to the role played by the Indian Ocean, indicating the enormous untapped potential of coastal zones.
The ‘business as usual’ approach to utilizing the continent’s environmental resources can no longer be sustained by its natural life. According to IUCN’s Eastern Central Atlantic Red List of Threatened Species report, many marine fish species in Africa are in danger of global extinction due to overfishing along the coast of western and central Africa (Polidoro et al. 2016). The list revealed that 37 of the assessed species are threatened with extinction while 14 are Near Threatened (Polidoro et al. 2016). Further to this, in 2014, mangrove deforestation was estimated to result in US$42 billion in economic losses annually (UNEP 2014).
These combined changes have undermined the natural capacity and ability of the ocean and aquatic resources to regenerate (Burke and Reytar 2011). The litter reaching the ocean from land-based sources
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According to FAO (2014), aquaculture production has created job opportunities for many youths in Africa. In 2005, aquaculture provided youth with 244,435 direct jobs and 342,209 indirect jobs. In Madagascar, on average, 1 hectare of commercial shrimp farms generates US$33,000 in value added and US$827 in labour incomes. In Egypt, for every 100 tons of fish produced, 14 full time jobs are created, 60 per cent of which are in production. In Nigeria, the same amount contributed to 150 job opportunities.
Youth Action 23: Earning a living from the ocean sustainably, Mauritius
My name is Rick, also known as ‘the crab’. For several years, I have earned a decent living as a marine eco-guide. My experience has left me convinced that young people who live in coastal areas can also earn a living in similar manner but only if they invest sufficient time and resources into relevant training about their respective ecosystems and into skills like diving and snorkelling.
Today, we are ready to explore the beautiful turquoise lagoon of the east coast of Mauritius. Sea conditions are great, the sky is blue, and the thermometer reads 30°C. It is 10.00 hours and our boat is ready to take off to our favourite snorkelling site.
Our volcanic island is about 8 million years old. Soil and land erosion created a barrier around the island called coral reefs. Corals are formed by tiny animals all joined as a colony. This animal is called the Polyp. Now, let’s jump into the water and find out what beautiful creatures our oceans would like to show us today. Coral reefs are amazing as they shelter a great variety of fishes making them
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