GUINEA CURRENT LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM /INTERIM GUINEA CURRENT COMMISSION (GCLME/IGCC) GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF) NATIONAL DIALOGUE INITIATIVE (NDI) NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM (NEF) November 20 – 22, 2008 CAPE HOTEL MONROVIA, LIBERIA PRESENTED BY: ASST. PROF. DAVID L. WILES NATIONAL PROJCET DIRECTOR,EPA AND ASSO. PROF. SAMUEL W.D.WESLEY ASSISTANT NATIONAL PROJECT DIRECTOR, EPA NOVEMBER BER2008

THE GUINEA CURRENT LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM/ INTERIM GUINEA CURRENT COMMISSION (GCLME/IGCC) 1. Introduction In 2000 Liberia became a signatory to the Law of Sea Convention. In 2004 a signatory to the Abidjan Convention In 2005 Liberia became member of the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) Project now called the Interim Guinea Current commission (IGCC)

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE (GCLME/IGCC) To manage, develop and protect the coastal and marine environment from pollution and degradation Provide scientific evidence and information relating to degradation and changing state of Liberia’s coastal areas and marine ecosystem. Determine the causes and sources of the nation’s coastal and marine problems.

3. Target beneficiaries The primary target beneficiary of the GCLME/ IGCC is the population of the Guinea Current Countries, in particular the fishing communities with an emphasis on women In the short – term, government and Institutions will benefit from institution strengthening as a result of networking, training programs, the provision of key items of equipments, and in particular from the development of GCLME/SAP.

4. THE MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS IN THE GCLME/IGCC PROJECT IN LIBERIA The public sector; Local Government Authorities; Non – governmental organization; Academician and professional people; Civil society and the public including fisher – folks

5. GCLME/IGCC – LIBERIA ACTIVITIES Launching of GCLME/IGCC Project in Liberia (2006) Coastal Profile of Liberia (2006) National Action Plan (2007) Monitoring and Evaluation of Liberia Coastal Waters (2008) Quarterly Technical Reports

6. STRATEGIES FOR GCLME/IGCC IMPLEMENTATION IN LIBERIA National Coordination Unit National Steering Committee Inter – Ministerial Coordination Committee Technical Working Committees 6. STRATEGIES FOR GCLME/IGCC IMPLEMENTATION IN LIBERIA National Coordination Unit National Steering Committee Inter – Ministerial Coordination Committee Technical Working Committees

8. LESSON LEARNT Collaborate with neighboring countries to conduct joint trans – boundaries studies and research on coastal and marine environmental problems that are common to the sub region

9. CONCLUSIONS Conduct research and studies on Coastal and marine environmental problems Prepare mitigation plan to combat coastal and marine pollution and degradation

10. RECOMMENDATIONS Establish a National Integrated Coastal Areas and Marine Environment Management Center. Conduct public awareness to educate the general public on the usefulness and importance of maintaining a sustainable coastal and marine environment.