UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
Distr*
GENERAL
/ 11/18
25 January 19$5
Original: ENGLISH
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA Sixth meeting of the Technical Preparatory Committee of the Mhole
Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania,
15-22 April 1935
Item 7 of the provisional agenda*
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA Twentieth session of the Commission
Eleventh meeting of the Conference of Ministers
Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania,
25-29 April 1985
Item .8 of the provisional agenda*
DEVELOPING AFRICAN CAPABILITIES FOR THE EXPLORATION, EXPLOITATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES
IN AFRICA
1!. 6/l/Rev. 1 E/ECA/CMdl/l/Rev31,
IT35-395
E/eCa/cm.11/18-
h. INTRODUCTION
1. The recent rapid human population growth has increased the use of the finite resources of the earth both in rate and in aggregate. These resources, living and non-living, have provided food, essential minerals, energy and space.
But they can become exhausted; even those which are called renewable, as the tropical forests, the Peruvian anchovies stocks, the California fishery and more recently, the Namibian fish stocks, have been depleted. There is thus need for judicious managment of the earth's resources.
,2T Such management becomes more difficult as the pressures for increased use
; become even greater. In order to prevent and reduce damage to the Resources of the.Sea which have come to be more intensively exploited, the UN organized a .series of conferences and recently concluded its Third Conference on the Law
of the Sea., at which the Convention of that name was signed by a large majority of its members (130 in favour to 4 against, with 17 absentions).
■ 3. The Conference ad6pted a resolution recommending assistance by the inter national community to the developing countries in the preparation and implement ation of their marine science, technology and ocean science development programme.
4. One of the highlights of the Convention is that Coastal States would have sovereignty over their territorial sea of up to 12 nautical miles in breadth while having sovereign rights over the natural resources and economic activities
in a 20O nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
5. This confers on coastal states rights over some considerable living and non-living resources. But most of the African countries lack the technology and the administrative and legislative capabilities to make full use of these resources.
In order to assist these countries in making a start, the Economic Commission for Africa plan to have within its Resources of the Sea Unit, a Regional Adviser to be provided under a bilateral co-operation agreement with the government of France.
The present survey of current African capabilities and needs for exploration, exploitation, and management of the resources of the sea is part of the ECA effort to provide this assistance.
E/EGA/CM.11/18
Page 2
6. For the purpose of carrying out the survey two missions were conducted to a number of Francophone and Anglophone African countries respectively, by two consultants. Dr. S.G. Zabi, of the Centre de Recherche Oceanagraphique in Abidjan visited seven countries: Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast,■■Togo-, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Gabon. Professor D.E.B. Chaytor, Director of the
Institute, of Marine Biology and Oceanography, University of Sierra Leone, visited
six countries; Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria- Liberia, Sierra Leone and Mauritius.These thirteen countries represent a good geographical, ecological and economic sample of the region.
7. The consultants were to look at the resources in the marine environment in the region, the technical capabilities (infrastructure, installations, vessels, equipment, trained and experienced technical manpower) in the individual countries visited; the administrative capabilities (institutions., management personnel, fund ing) , thG legislative capabilities (national, etc., regulations for management and control of tno resources within national jurisidiction, agreements and contracts for resource exploration, etc.) and steps being taken to develop further capabilities and harmonize national legislation with UNCLCS convention provisions. Also they were to assess the relative importance of the marine sector to national economic development and suggest possible approaches for marine resources development and utilization.
S. This report deals with s.11 these aspects in the following order:
review of the available resources;
an assessment of their relative importance;
an assessment of available national capabilities?
- a review of national policies and plans for the future;
- suggestions for possible? approaches in the use of national^capabilities.
and finally conclusions that can be drawn from the study. No attempt has been made to include resources in the common heritage of mankind. ■ ,
E/EGA/qM.11/18
fcige 3
b. "national Capabilities available in;the region
9. National capabilities were identified with reference to the development and
exploitation of the fisheries, marine minerals, transportation and research and experimental development. These four areas constitute the focus of marine resources activities in the various countries.10. These capabilities are modest where they exist at all, even in the area of fisheries. But because the questionnaires are still largely unanswered it is not
possible to give really precise estimates of the total capabilities within the region, the following estimates are therefore only approximate.Resource exploration
(a) Fisheries
11. (i) Trawling survey: a basic capacity exists in practically all the countries.
But gaps tend to arise in the area of data interpretation.
(ii) Acoustic survey: Very little capacity exists in the countries. Most of
the surveys done so far especially of pelagic fish stocks, have been undertaken either jointly with international or regional organizations(like FAO and its regional committees), or on behalf of the coastal state by a foreign enterprise wishing to obtain fishing rights in the host
country's waters. Most of the research vessels required for this workhave been out of operation for quite some time because of maintenance
and operational problems. ,
(b) Minerals:
*Petroleum oil and gas
CD Survey methods: Knowledge here is scanty because there are so few geologists and geophicista in the national manpower of individual
countries, some 10 or so of them. Exploration vessels are lacking;until now offshore exploration has had to be done by, transnational corporations.
The IOC and the Norwegian Government provide Advanced Training in
Offshore Exploration. A Course was held 12 October - 25 November 1983 in
Norway.
E/ECA/CMUl/18
Page 4(ii) Data processing and interpretation e.g. Core analysis, seismic logs, seisraic processing, seismic surveys and interpretation including aerial photographs, can be done by the few personnel available. But time will have to be sacrificed in the process.
(iii) Environmental impact assessment and identification of environmental hazards can also be done. But actual prospecting and offshore drilling is in a very limited capacity within the region. The Ivory Coast, and perhaps a few of her northern neighbours beyond the Sahara desert, can and do undertake offshore drilling down to some 100 metres. Drilling hazards would have to be taken into consideration.
13. So it is clear that there is a pronounced weakness here in capabilities within the African region. This is due in part to the high capital.cost involved in this type of activity. But other factors also contribute to the lack of development of the capacity for petroleum oil and gas exploration within the region.
14. Because of the severe limitations in the capacity to explore the resources many of the problems of resource sharing and exploitation cannot readily be tackled.
Resource exploitation
(c) Fishery resources
15. A modest capacity exists among the countries of the region for fisheries exploitation. Trawling, purse seining, long line fishing and even pole and line fishing for tunas, are carried out in commercial fishing. But in many cases the bulk of the reported catch comes not from the modern industrial sector, but from the artisanal fishery. Increased exploitation to meet the growing national demands has necessitated the expansion of refrigerated storage capacity both on board
fishing vessels and in shore installations. An approximate assessment of total storage capacity can be obtained from the reported volume of chilled fish produced in individual cases, if the transit times in storage are known.
E/ECA/CM.ll/18
Page. 5
16. A.r> mentioned above, moves have been made in several countries to add to the value of the exploitel r&EOurces by processing and packaging. Canning of fish is increasingly done, especially of tunas for which the local demand is low. Export of tunas account for almost all of the fish exports of Ghana and Mauritius. Infor mation on marketing capabilities couLI not be obtained directly. But inferences
can be drawn from the accumulated export figures and the local distribution of coastal fishery products inland.
(3) Mineral resources
17. The capability for salt extraction exists in the region chiefly at the
artisahal level. The commonest technology being used is solar evaporation of brine in tidal'-ponds -'to- give crude salt. Refining of this salt has not been widely
adopted by the industrial sector., partly because of the size of local markets and partly because-of high energy costs involved.
18. The capability for petroleum exploitation is still almost entirely in foreign hands, and the transfer of the technology to nationals is very slow where it exists.
.19.. Mining of other minerals involved largely dredging of beach sands and sea bed surfaces, and pumping of loose sediments for recovery of valuable ores and minerals.
This is applied to rutile exploitation in Sierra Leone. Yet even this relatively simple technology, within reach of all countries, is not being widely applied to mineral exploitation. Drilling and corinr is beina adopted in the Ivory Coast
down to a. depth of 100 metres. Recently, the Sudan, in co-operation with Saudi Arabic
and.the Federal German Republic completed an assessment of sea bed mineral deposits in the Red Sea and concluded that they contained in commercially viable quantities, heavy minerals worth exploiting. Other countries, especially those in the area, might wish to take a cue from thxs.Resource development ■ . "
(e) Fisheries development
20. Policies for fisheries development exist in nearly all countries usually
embodied in fisheries legislations and development programmes. Fisheries legislation:
cever generally the planning, management and development of the national fisheries
in territorial waters and EEZ. Apart from a fisheries management and development
act which inter alia defines various categories of the fisheries, establishes the
machinery for management and control and the advisory and research institutions.
E/ECA /CM. 11/18 Page 6
there, are various regulations which prescribe the nature, types and sizes of fishing craft, gear and equipment and their lawful uses. Such regulations also deal with fees and royalties payable by fishing companies and the period and limits of fishing.
They also include usually prohibitions on the fishing of juvenilea and fish larvae, especially in the shallows that usually forr; the fish nurseries. With the adoption of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, there will be various instances of the need to modify the national legislation so to harmonize their provisions with those of the Convention in specific areas. One such area will be the seaward extent of" the territorial sea over which the coastal state by this convention exercises sovereign rights. The Convention also confers sovereign rights on coastal states over the resources of the exclusive economic zone (200 nautical miles of EEZ). But along with these rights cto the responsibility to ensure, through proper conservation and
management measures, (taking into account the best scientific evidence available to i that the maintenance of the living resources in the EEZ is not endangered by
over-exploitation. Mow, this requires the capability of coastal states to assess the general stock sizes as well as the status of particular species for conservation purposes. Practically no state in the region has such capability at present.
Resource management here is being developed at the artisanal level and the capabil ities include more efficient data gathering and more accurate data compilation, processing and interpretation; gear and craft improvement, introduction of new fishing and fish processing techniques, a better focus in extension, especially
advisory services and development of cooperative institutions with a view to increasii artisanal competitiveness in fishery resources exploitation.
21. The research component needed for rational exploitation of the living resources is still greatly deficient. Quite often, development programmes are planned on the basis of scanty baseline data, yet no provision is made for a research component to generate fresh data that will improve forecasts of inputs and outcomes. Information and communication are really weal links in the chain of capabilities for living
resources exploitation in the region, as eyamplified by fisheries development activit;
even though manpower i? the segment usually cited as containing the foremost gap in capability for fisheries development.
. 11/18
7
22. Resource development institutions often exist as government fisheries depart ments, fisheries research institutes, fishing companies and gear supply companies.
These are the usual implementing agencies of artisanal fishies development projects of which there are many in the individual countries of the region. Such projects may be sponsored by foreign governments under bilateral agreements, or international
(often UN) agencies and even the EEC. Technical assistance could then comprise advisory personnel, equipment and supplies, with provision for manpower training.
Fisheries training schools exist in several countries (Mauritius, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone) to turn out ttie officers for the big industrial fishing fleets.
23. The necessary infrastructure though being gradually provided, is still inadequate in several countries, notably Nigeria, Sierra Leone. Fishing harbours sometimes
do not exist as such, and port facilities are often shared with general cargo.
Infrastructure here refers to:
- ports and port facilities e.g. fishing ports, fishing terminals,raining ports, oil terminals, etc. with berths, fueling, loading, unloading facilities, roll-on-roll off, etc.;
- roads, rail,and other transport networks and transporation facilities ... including barges, other vessels, fishing fleet, refrigerated trucks -and
coaches;
- distribution networks of depots, including cold storage facilities;
- docks, dry docking facilities, service stations.
24. Many of these have been reported to be in various stages of development.
25. The sensitive area of capability is actually that of funding. All countries plead lack of funds when they can express, the will to develop their fisheries resources. But if steps are taken to build up the capabilities gradually, the cumulative gains would definitely justify the investments many times over where the resources are really substantial. Senegal and Morocco are good examples in this connection.
E/ECA/CM.J.1/18
Page 8(f) Mineral resources development
26. Here development has been almost exclusively of petroleum and natural gas resources. But the technology cannot really be said to be in the hands of the countries concerned ( Angolar Gabon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, etc.) for the manpower involved is largely foreign and few nationals possess the knowledge and skills required for the resources exploitation. The infrastructures have been set up e.g. oil wells and pipelines, oil terminals and corporations, and the programmes and projects are managed smoothly by largely transnational personnel.
27. The exploitation of salt is largely artisanal, hence unfortunately underdeveloped For instance, only crude salt is produced, practically no refining of it is done
and the level of production has remained low, or even declined in the last few years.
Sand and gravel are similarly limited in use and
apart from rutile in Sierra Leone, there appears to be no actual exploitation currently of placer deposits. It has been commented above already that the technology for this need not be complex.
Resource utilization
28. This refers to production or harvesting of any resource for processing, either for consumption or for the production of other goods.
29* Here the capabilities exist for consumption of more fishery products than are being produced, as seen from the import-export ratios of these resources. The capacity to use other living resources appears to be almost non-existent, partly through ignorance of their availability and potential value.
30. But it is in the area of minerals that many countries have not developed the capacity to use their own resources. Planning has not yet developed to the point where marine resources are systematically integrated into tne development plans.
This is partly due to lack of detailed knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of mineral resources, in the absence of appropriate geological and geophysical explorations.
31. Yet Liberia was able to carry out its own exploration and sell its data to interested mining companies.
E/ECA /CM. 11/18
Page 9
Research and experimental development
32. In almost all areas of marine resources R & D capabilities are still very limited. These should comprise inter alia,when developed:
- institution (s) staffed with suitably trained and experienced workers;
- having appropriate equipment in working order and in use;
- having linkages with the industrial sector;
- able to translate scientific results into industrial activity through prototypes;
- able to investigate relevant industries problems and suggest solutions to them;
able to take on research projects on contract and deliver the results and recommendations on time;
able to inspire confidence in industry and government and fire the imagination of the young.
33. The marine research instituions in the region are practically concentrated in the Arab States, chiefly in Egypt. South of the Sahara there are only about a dozen such institutions, the one in Mauritius not yet fully operational. These institutions are not very effective because of inadequate logistical support, being often understaffed, and lacking in physical facilities. In the last few years : manpower training has been going on, with sponsorships of candidates for higher degrees abroad being provided from various sources. In the area of fisheries, a good deal has been done to promote understanding of the marine environment and its effects on the living resources. Mention has also been made of stock assessments being carried out more frequently in order to provide a basis for more judicious
management. With the start of UNEP Action Plans in the North, West and Indian Ocean areas better pollution control and conservation capabilities would eventually result.
34. Reference has also been made to studies made at the Mauritius Institute in
collaboration with the Cancer Research Institute of the University of Arizona. These
studies revealed the presence of antineoplastic agents in a species of mollusc and
one zoantharian. ...
e/eca /cm. 11/18
Page 10 v
35. Scientists in Senegal are working on the alga Ulva lactuca to determine its
possible use as organic fertilizer. The research is still in its early stage and
the possibility is being considered of mixing the alga with other components to increase fertilizer output or quality or-both.36. Research is under way in several other countries to culture fish and shellfish in brackish waters. The work in Nigeria and Angola has already been cited above.
In Morocco, attempts are being made to culture Crassostrea gigas in.a briny lagoon
on the Mediterranean Coast, a watch is being kept on the possible infection by Goniolax sp which occurs on the European side of the Medterranean Sea. Similar capabilities do exist in other African coastal states and can be applied to similar
R & D work on other living resources. . " ' '
37. It is clear now that the capabilities for marine resources development in the region are at best patchy. But they can be developed in a determined and systematic
way given proper stimulus.
C. NATIONAL POLICIES AND PLANS FOR FUTURE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE RESCfJRCE£
Marine resources
38. Broadly speaking the policies-and plans are based on the exploitation of tie known living and liquid mineral resources. Of the living resources, attention .s
concentrated on the fisheries. Practically all countries have plans with progr immes for increased fishery production, at least at the artisanal level of exploitation.This is to be achieved through provision of logistical and organizational support expanded infrastructure and incentives to'local fishermen. The plans also' incl tde
provision for environmental protection and resource conservation through improv «a
environmental monitoring and enforcement of control measures. In some cases it ispossible to read into the plans the expectation of outside assistance for the development of the available marine resources. But in many countries policies re being stated in terms of.mobilization of their own resources as the foundation or
marine resources development. For instance, both Nigeria in a general way and Sierra Leone in a special way, state their policies in terms of greaterself-reliance. In Nigeria this is stated as "increased dependence on our own r.scur- (and) increased efforts to achieve optimum utilization of our hi man
and material resources." Sierra Leone's goal is to achieve independent nationa.*.
capability in industrial fisheries in the next 3-4 years.
E/ECA/CM.11/18
Pige 11 39. Only two countries apparently include other living resources in their plans, viz. Mauritius and Senegal. Both are working inter alia on the possible use of a marine alga as fertilizer.40. As regards.the non-living resources, national policies address specifically the exploration and exploitation of petroleum oil and gas as a high priority. Ethiopia's explicit policy is to encourage private investment for their exploration and
exploitation. Liberia is already implementing this policy by signing a contract with a transnational corporation, in the same way presumably as Mauritius and Kenya have done and Sierra Leone is still doing.
41. The petroleum producers continue to encourage further exploration and
Nigeria plans to expand into petrochemicals and liquified natural gas industries.
Solid minerals are also to be developed. Both'Ethiopia and Sudan plan the rational exploitation of the Red Sea mineral deposits. Sierra Leone, currently exploiting rutile, plans to encourage development of other placer minerals e.g. diamonds and Nigeria also has this as its policy. There appear to be no definite plans or policies to report on salt from sea water. Mauritius, however, has a plan for a project to obtain construction sand from her neighbours because continued extraction of coral sand from her coast is causing serious problems of erosion.
42. Marine transport is to be promoted. Liberia recently established a co-ordinating Bureau of Maritime Transport to implement this plan while Mauritius is to develop her
shipping and improve her port facilities so as to get more of the transport business going through her ports. Taffic through the region's ports had expaned more rapidly than the expansion of facilities. The congestion at Lagos some years ago reached crisis proportions and Nigeria has plans to improve her capability for maintaining her expanding ports and harbours as a matter of priority so as to improve maritime transport.
43. About six countries plan to develop their beaches as resorts for both local and foreign tourists. Ethiopia is not specific on this point of boosting tourism, but Mauritius plans expansion of the public beaches with suitable infrastructural development, and possibly a "billionaire's paradise".
44. All these plans are indeed subject to the vagaries of the economic climate.
Indeed, already, some countries have had to reduce the scale of the proposed development and, even in a few cases, to abandon some of the development projects.
e/eca/cm*11/18
Page 12
D. POSSIBLE APPROACHES FOR THE UTILIZATION OF NATIONAL CAPABILITIES FOR MARINE RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
45. The countries in the African region are not homogeneous in their interest in and development of marine resources. But there are certain basic similarities among them which permit a common characterization and suggestions for some common remedies.
46. The coastal states are broadly characterized by a low level of utilization of their marine resources, a situation which has complex causes that ultimately go back to a weak political will to develop those resources. The common causes or factors can briefly be listed as:
(i) lack of detailed information on the available resources, whether living or non-living. This itself can be traced to absence of systematic resource exploration, in turn due to a low level of marine S and T development;
(ii) lack of capability for exploiting and developing particularly the non-living resources;
(iii) lack of capability for environmental preservation.
47. These last two factors can be traced to weak development of human resources, especially in terms of the development of organizational and administrative
machinery and expertise; and also lack of the necessary infrastructural development.
48. The picture, therefore, is one of a poor assemblage of weak individual countries having varying degrees of potential marine wealth, but each unable to make full
use of it.
49. The obvious answer is co-operation, regional and subregicnal, among the countries. This is certainly not easy. It requires that each country tries to develop some additional national capability in order to participate effectively in the partnership. Individually, E-chiopia might wish to establish at least one marine resource station to collect basic data that will permit compilation of an
inventory of marine resources, even if only of the living resources. Liberia might decide to Improve its R & D capacity so as to obtain better knowledge of her resources;
and expand her training facilities and opportunities, especially for resource managers. Mauritius could do the same, especially for the purpose of building upon the work already done at the Mauritius Institute on the living resources. In
E/ECA./GM.11/18
Page 13
Nigeria, management' capacities could also be built up more determinedly and marine fisheries institutions strengthened similarly. Despite the present economic difficulties, it would be advisable to push ahead with the plan tc acquire marine resource exploration and conservation technology. It would
facilitate planning for iongterra development of non-living resources whose exploitation could then grow with the development of related industries.50. Sierra Leone could improve the management and organization of its marine resources development institutions, projects, and industries. This could go
along with development of self-reliance in industrial fisheries, and integrate more comprehensively MRD into the development process.51. Such national activities could provide a basis for group co-operation,
beginning with exchange of reliable information on the marine environment and
its resources. Some of this is going on now largely through regional and subregional organizations, but still not very effectively because of weak data collection
abilities. Exchange of information should lead to exchange of students, scientists, technicians at the subregional and regional levels. Some countries have already established focal points of contact for such exchanges. Kenya, Mauritius and
Tanzania have established National Oceanographic Committees for this purpose, as well as for easing technology transfer inwards.
52. At the subregional level also co-operation would be needed for systematic
exploration of the resources of the EEZ, especially in the basic ecological and
oceanographic research needed to support later resource exploitation. Egypt has such
co-operative arrangements already with Algeria and Sudan. Ivory Coast has a similar arrangement with Liberia, Senegal and Ghana. Mauritania and Senegal, Sudan and Zaire have bilateral arrangements for co-oporation in hydrology *nd hydrobiology.It is therefore possible to expand such co-operative arrangements to include other areas of narine science anct technology. Joint or common resource exploration and cost sharing would reduce the individual financial burden on coastal.states, give greater meaning and relevance to manpower training, and to the delibrations and planning at workshops and seminars. Such experiences in co-operation would make
further steps easier to take, in addition to effectively increasing the capabilities available within the region.
///
Page 14
53. In this connection, the earlier reference to regional centres of excellence can be repeated. A UNDP./UNESCO project aims to establish three such centres for advanced training within the region, viz., at the University of Dar es Salaam for Chemical Oceanography; at the University of Abidjan for marine geology and, for physical oceanography, either at the- University .of Lagos or at the University of Sierra Leone's Institute of Marine Biology and Oceanography. To be very effective, such training must be tied to active oceanographic research. The various research
vessels which are .currently in need of repairs would need early attention to getthem fully operational, so that a full complement of the existing vessels would be
available for cooperative research with sharing of operational costs. In order tospread available resources such common training could be part of the joint activities
in resource exploration surveillance, conservation and pollution control within the region.54. At the international level the African Coastal States will have to cooperate with the advanced countries, especially for purposes of mineral resources
exploitation.
55. This usually requires heavy capital investments, and sophisticated technology with only the multinational corporations might provide. But in entering into such partnerships, provision should be made for effective technology transfer to the
African countries. This condition may also apply to the exploitation of ocean energy resources such as OTEC and oceanic bioconversion discussed above.E. SUMMARY OF NEEDS TO BE MET
56. The needs may be regarded as gaps to be filled for resources exploration, utilization, management and conservation. These gaps are essentially technical, organizational, infrastructural, and sometimes policy, institutional and fiscal.
They may be listed as follows:
(a) Technical gaps include the need for:
- increased capacity for industrial fishery development;
- increase of trained personnel in fisheries industry, other resources development;
- increases supply of inputs into fisheries and other marine resources development;
- better knowledge of offshore mineral wealth, even of stocks of
living resources;
E/ECA./CM, 11/18
15
- off shore prospecting an^ mining capacity;
effective surveillance and law enforcement;
research, especially stock assessment of living'.resources and monitoring of environmental parameters;
increased technical advice.
(b) Infrastructural gsps include the need for:
- improved --and expanded fishing terminals and facilities;
improved and expanded facilities for preservation, processing and marketing of fish and fishery products;
- more effective fishermen's cooperatives and corresponding agency to boost industrial fisheries;
increased mechanisation of fishing boats;
improved marine communication systems.
(c) Organizational gaps include the need for:
increased prevision of extension services to the fishing and related industries;
improved project implementation;
- programmes for independent systematic resources exploration and . development;
improved management resource development programmes;
tightening.-, of the enforcement of fishing and environmental conservation laws.
(d) Policy gaps include the need for:
- broadening the charter of national mining corporations to include responsibility for offshore resources, where this does not
already exist%
enacting effective anti pollution laws;
- making more effective coastal area conservation and protection regulations.
E/EfcA/CMUl/18
Page 16
(e) Institutional gaps include the need for:
- national shipping lines where they do not exist, but could be profitable, if set up;
national maritime administration;
a co-ordinating and advisory body with overall responsibility for resources or the sea matters;
developing, research institutions (stations, laboratories) for resource exploration, prospecting, assessment, etc.).
(f) Financial gaps include the need for:
increased capacity to fund resources development programmes, project and institutions for effective implementation, especially marine research and experimental development programmes;
greater supply of capital for needed outlay.
F. SUMMARY OF CAPABILITIES REQUIRED
At National Level
S7. (i) Fishery development effort including:
fishing ports, installations, fleet, etc., institutions, policies and programmese available funding to run programmes and maintain effort, trained and experienced manpower;
" (ii) Basic: info■.fasxion gathering end processing for assessment of resource availability, magnitude, quality, etc.; training facilities for manpower development;
(iii) Basic surveillance monitoring and law enforcement capacity;
(iv) Effective technical advisory and co-ordinating body;
(v) Strong management capacities;
(vi) Strong national commitment to marine research and development.
E/ECA/CM,ll/l8
Page 17
At Subregional Level
58. (i) Resources exploration facilities, physical, institutional, managerial, fiscal;
(ii) Information exchange system;
(iii) Mutual co-operation machinery with particular emphasis on harmonization of policies, programmes, sea boundaries; on training- and research.?
resource exploration, surveillance conservation; pollution prevention and control;
(iv) Strong common maritime organizations to facilitate co-operation and 'sharing of expertise and promote research and experimental development
■ of marine resources;
(v) Centres of excellence in ocean science and engineering.
At the Regional Level
59. (i) Cooperative mechanisms for resource exploration and prospecting with common vessels (.e.g. fisheries, minerals) even if only through cost sharing?
(ii) Machinery for harmonizing policies on marine resources exploration, exploitation, utilization, tsanageat&n.t and conservation.
G. SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS
At.the National Level
60. It is recommended that efforts be made to:
build up management capacities and strengthen the management, of the institutions responsible for promoting marine resources development.
In case of the fisheries this would apply also to the industries and projects. In particular it would be necessary also where the resources are of good size, to speed Up the development of industrial fishing fleets and improvement of shore facilities;
- plan for and work towards longer term development of the non-living resources, both fuel and non-fuel resources? and let their exploitation grow with related industries;
E/ECA/CM,11/18 Page 18 "
- promote research into inventories and alternative uses of marine resources
both living and non living. In this regard delimitation and mapping of
marine boundaries could be given priority.
- expand training facilities and opportunities to boost manpower development, emphasis being placed advisedly on both technical and management training.
At Subregj,onal Level
61. It is recommended that efforts be made to:
- co-operate with neighbouring countries to undertake resource exploration, surveillance, conservation and pollution prevention and control;
- exchange information, students, and expertise; joint exploration of
resources and joint conservation and pollution prevention and controlmeasures;
- negotiate fishing rights with neighbouring states and collaborate in R & D of marine resources;
- strengthen subregional maritime organizations to facilitate these
arrangements;
- expand co-operation in the area of training to include use of each other's facilities and institutions in the subregion.
At the Regional Level
62. it is recommended that efforts be made to:
- expand cooperative arrangements to include resource exploration with common vessels e.g. fisheries, minerals, through cost sharing. This will give greater meaning to deliberations and planning at workshops, seminaras, conferences, hence to regional co-operationr
- profit more by the usual information exchange and common training at centres of excellence within the region;
- make the arrangements in these cases through regional organizations that sponsor the cooperative activities. Such organizations would require active support of the African countries;
- promote increased regional trade in marine products.
l/ECA/CM*11/16
. Page 19
At the International Level
63. Partnerships and joint ventures in marine resource-; exploration and exploit ation would be a good approach. But along with these should go a condition to promote effective technology transfer to national individuals and institutions, 64. Participation in the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority in order
to get it off the ground and ensure its effective working. There are many advantages to be gained by this.
65. Valuable experience could be gained from participation in the International-
Tribunal for the Settlement of E*sputes.
E/ECA/CM.Z1/18
Page 20
H. CONCLUSIONS
66. The wealth of the marine resources in the region is potentially considerable.
The need is now for greater marine awareness among the African States to permit better resource assessment and exploitation as part of an integrated development plan. There has been too much dependence on synoptic studies, often conducted on an ad hoc basis. Practical acceptance of the need fcr more systematic research
planned as an integral part of long-term development programmes is the better * approach. This is more likely to provide the more solid foundation for detailed
long-term development planning. If the best results should come from marine resource exploitation the systematic studies, long delayed, will have to be
undertaken and adequate resource allocation will have to be made for that purpose.
The resulting enhancement of national and regional marine research capabilities will lead to an increasing collective self-reliance in the marine sciences and their applications to socio-economic development.
67. The development of such capabilities is not easy and requires mutual goodwill, patience and tolerance. The acquisition of the technical knowledge and skills would probably be the easiest part, while the development of the administrative and
organizational machinery and expertise is bound to be much harder. The real challenge, however, could come with the resolution of political issues and
problems especially if these are allowed to be influenced by the conflicting interest
of any extraregional agency.
