By: Audrey Raymonda John
The environmental protection Agency (EPA) hold a day workshop on the national validation of the updated Sherbro river estuary co management plan at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown on Friday 18th November 2022.
Action plan for the conversation of seagrass in Sierra an annex to the reviewed Sherbo estuary co management plan the project was funded by resilient SEA and it was coordinated by environmental protection agency.
Giving an overview of seagrass resilient SEA project the deputy director EPA Mr Paul A. Lamin said Seagrass are the only flowering plants that can live underwater seagrass are found in near shore waters of most of the world continent.
Studies have revealed that sea grass is presently in one hundred and ninety one (191) countries and across six global bio regions spanning the tropical and temperate seas.
He said Seagrass serve as environmental and ecosystem regulator and an important climate change control and socio- economic resource in a number of ways including keeping the ocean clean and provide ecological support to coral reefs seagrass meadows help filter the water of pollutants and sediments which increases water clarity and quality.
Seagrass support commercial fisheries and biodiversity clean the surrounding water and help take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and because of these seagrass are believed to be the third most valued ecosystem in the world at large it only preceded by estuaries and wetlands.
He further said to identify seagrass some level of training and expertise is required because they have various shapes and sizes associated with the species identity.
Lamin continue that some of the leaves of different species of seagrass include an oval shape, a fern shape a long spaghetti like leaf and a ribbon shape the species of seagrass found in Sierra Leone is halodule Wright-ii belong to the family cymodoceacea, and is commonly named shoal grass or shoalweed.
Statement by the chairman Sherbor river Co-Management Rev. Umaru Koroma speaking during the ceremony said this is an initiative that came from national protection agency NPAA according to the search made it prove that the Sherbo island is one of the richest river in the country as they have a legal mandate to keep the resources of the Sherbo rive as they sign and MOU with the government of Sierra Leone to oversee the Sherbo river.
He said the project was meant to know the economic value of the sherbo river as he appealed to government to use the resources judiciously as they will continue to protect the Sherbo river for the good of the country he stated.
Deputy minster at the ministry of the environment Cyril Jusu said sea grass are one of the most productive ecosystems on earth and he accept the fact that seagrass has an incredible ability that helps fight climate change as it has a urge capacity for carbon absorption.
The deputy minister continues that these marine plants capture and store carbon and eventually depositing it into the seafloor he said according to studies sea grass accounts for ten percent of the ocean capacity to store carbon and it can capture carbon from the atmosphere up to thirty five times faster than tropical rainforest.
he emphasis that integrating seagrass conservation in the MPA management is a key and crucial step in addressing the vulnerabilities seagrass and other marine plants are facing including continuing threats from climate change.
He further that the government has made a very big leap in marine and coastal conservation and protection the ministry of the environment and EPA has developed an integrated coastal and marine protection regulation soon to be laid in parliament.
He added that if they do not take a holistic approach now the expectation to achieve sustainable development will only remain a dream as they have the opportunity today’ to determine how they effectively towards coastal zoom management within the diverse capacities and how to foster consensus building in overcoming the huge challenges they face he stated.
National protected Area Authority (NPAA) Mr Joseph R Musa said in validating the reviewed version of the the Sherbo Estuary river Co- management plan that has made provisions for the sustainable conservation of sea grass he extend his warm thanks and appreciation to the resilienceSea project and rampao for their devotion and support to sea grass conversation in Sierra Leone.
He said the NPPA was most grateful earlier this year that all of the supported of the review of the sherbo river estuary management plan which fortunately has catered for sea grass conservation, a new phenomenon in the country’s conservation vocabulary or diction.
He further said they will remain grateful to this course and foster. their collaboration with EPA for their critical role in challenging the funds, coordinating activities and meetings and encourage them to do more.
He added that the Sherbo river can be said to be one of the most dynamic marine protected areas and also the most attractive because of it unique biodiversity he continue that the effective management of the sea grass beds in mania, Sherbro and other parts of the turtle island remain a principal responsibility and commitment to the NPPA because its conservation also absorbs carbon from the atmosphere thereby reducing global warming impact of climate change and all the same time contribute to the country GPD through carbon sales or carbon credit.
The executive director further said the protection of sea grass meadows is imperative because some marine fauna like marine turtle, manatee etc Feed on it and as a conservationist’s and environmentalists their desire and objective is to ensure sustainability and continuity he stated.