Project Activities
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WIO-LaB Demonstration Projects
A key part of the WIO-LaB Project is to provide assistance to participating countries to implement demonstration projects at a number of hotspots and sensitive areas in the WIO region. These projects are intended to demonstrate innovative, appropriate and cost-effective technical and managerial approaches for addressing the impacts of land-based sources and activities.
| A wetland-lagoon system for wastewater management at Shimo La Tewa Prison, Mombasa - Kenya The goal of the project is to demonstrate a sustainable manner of pollution control of Mtwapa Creek by designing and constructing a coupled wetland-lagoon sewage treatment system at Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa. The aim is to treat wastewater emanating from the prison premises by use of natural systems with minimum energy requirements, while exploring opportunities for recycling of treated wastewater for irrigation and aquaculture |
| Development of eco-tourism in the Marine Park of Toliara - Madagascar This demonstration project will involve the local community in the management of a new Marine Park around the coral-reefs of Toliara. The principal objective of the project is to support the socio-economic development of the region and the livelihoods of local communities through the development of ecotourism activities, while fostering community engagement in the management of land-based sources and activities. |
| Application of vetiver grass for erosion and leachate control at a landfill site in Dar es Salaam - Tanzania The project will demonstrate the potential use of vetiver grass in erosion control and leachate treatment at an old dumpsite within the Msimbazi riverbed. The aim is to promote the use of vetiver grass as an effective, affordable and sustainable measure to: (i) reduce leachate flow into the river and improvement of the water quality; (ii) reduce riverbank erosion; (iii) beautify the dumpsite area; (iv) increase community awareness; and (v) develop marketing opportunities for vetiver products. |
| Solid Waste Management in Port Louis Harbour - Mauritius The project aims at demonstrating an integrated approach to the management of solid waste in the Port Louis Harbour. The project includes activities for the prevention of influx of domestic waste into the port area, the influx of oily and other wastes from onshore and offshore activities and the collection and disposal of such wastes in an environmentally safe manner. The project is based upon a strong partnership between government, the Port Authorities, port users and other stakeholders. |
| Integrated Algal Ponding System technology for the polishing and beneficiation of effluent from municipal sewage treatment facilities - South Africa The project aims at demonstrating the benefits of the Integrated Algal Ponding System (IAPS) technology to coastal communities. IAPS technology is a potentially effective method for the treatment of municipal wastewater and for polishing of treated effluent from conventional sewage treatment systems. Advantages of this technology are its low cost, ease of operation and the production of algal biomass (freshwater or marine) as a by-product, which is of commercial value as a fertilizer and a protein-rich animal feed. |
| Enhancing the ecological function of mangroves - Mozambique The proposed project aims at contributing towards the enhancement of the productivity and functional integrity of mangrove ecosystems in Mozambique through demonstrating effective land and resource use practices in a selected demonstration site located in the province of Nampula. The scope of the project includes restoration activities, the introduction of alternative sources of energy and building materials and the development of alternative livelihood activities. |
| Wastewater management on Pemba Island - Tanzania The project will involve the construction of a waste and stormwater collection and treatment system in the Msingini area in Chake Chake District, Pemba. The project will demonstrate methods for separation of household wastewater and storm water and proper channelling of these streams to prevent flooding, contamination and pollution of the marine environment. The system foresees a wastewater treatment system based upon constructed wetland technology. |
| Integrated management and protection of the coastal zone at Itsamia, Mohéli - Comoros The project aims at demonstrating Integrated Coastal Zone Management practices at a selected demonstration site on Itsamia beach, an important marine turtle nesting area in the Mohéli Marine Protected Area. The project introduces a community-based management approach aimed at limiting pressures from land-based activities while generating direct benefits to the community through the development of ecotourism activities. |
| Use of native species to control soil erosion within The Black River Gorges National Park - Mauritius This pilot project will demonstrate the feasibility of using native plants to reduce land degradation and erosion within the Black River Gorges National Park in Mauritius, in an area cleared in the past to provide pasture for deer. Storm drains will also be constructed to reduce problems associated with surface runoff. The area will be used as a demonstration site for sustainable land management using native vegetation species in the wider region. |
Other WIO-LaB Project Activities
Assessing the Status of Marine Pollution
As part of the WIO-LaB project, countries have embarked on a region-wide assessment of environmental pollution in the coastal zone, including its sources. The task of undertaking this programme is given to a network of national academic and research institutions. Key WIO-LaB activities in this regard are:
- Identification and assessment of pollution hot spots;
- Implementation of a Regional Water and Sediment Quality Monitoring Programme;
- Development of National Pollution Status Reports;
- Capacity building through training and equipment purchase;
- Development of water and sediment quality objectives and standards.
The results of this activity are expected to provide governments in the region with up-to-date information with regard to the status of pollution in their coastal zones, including data on hot spots, which will allow the definition of targeted action. The capacity built will ensure that long-term monitoring activities can be adequately implemented.
Download WSQ Working Group Meeting Reports
Development of a regional node to the GPA Clearinghouse Mechanism
The WIO-LaB project is supporting the Nairobi Convention Secretariat in the development of a web-based information management system, which will host relevant data and information on the WIO Coastal and Marine Environment. The system will function as a regional node for the GPA Clearinghouse Mechanism, and will be established in collaboration with relevant national institutions and regional and international project partners.
Click on this link for more information on the Clearinghouse Mechanism
Strengthening of the policy, legal and institutional framework
As part of WIO-LaB, countries are undertaking a region-wide review of policy, legal and institutional frameworks for the management of impacts from land-based sources and activities (LBA). Key outputs from the project in this regard are:
- National reports on existing policy, legal and institutional frameworks with regard to LBA management.
- National reports on the status of ratification of international conventions relevant to LBA management.
- A new Protocol on LBAs for the Nairobi Convention.
- National implementation plans for improvement of policy, legal and institutional framework with regard to LBA management.
Click on this links below to download:
Regional Legal and Technical Review Task Force Meeting Reports
The Third Draft Protocol Additional to the Nairobi Convention Concerning Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS/A) in the Eastern African Region.
A Concept Note: The Need for a Land-Based Sources/Activities (LBS/A) Protocol to the Nairobi Convention
Regional Marine Litter Assessment
The magnitude of the marine litter problem is not well known in the WIO Region. In order to address this information gap, the WIO-LaB Project in collaboration with the UNEP Regional Seas Programme has embarked on a region wide assessment of this problem in the WIO region. It is envisaged that this assessment will form the foundation for the formulation of strategies for sustainable management of marine litter in the WIO Region. The assessment is being executed by national and regional marine litter experts.
Development of a Regional Annex to the GPA Guidelines for MWW Management
The WIO-LaB Project is undertaking a region-wide assessment of Municipal Wastewater (MWW) management practices and infrastructure in the WIO-region in order to establish the current status of MWW management in the region. At the same time, experts from the region are reviewing the regional applicability of the global GPA Guidelines on MWW Management, in order to develop a regional annex to these global guidelines.
Download MWW and PADH Task Force Meeting Reports
Development of National Programmes of Action for Implementation of the GPA
National Programmes of Action (NPA) are considered an important tool for countries to design their own, targeted strategies, for addressing the impacts of land-based sources and activities. The WIO-LaB Project will be providing technical and financial assistance to atleast four countries for the development of their NPAs, therewith supporting the implementation of the GPA at the national level.
Regionalisation of GPA Guidelines for Municipal Wastewater Management
The Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (LBA) has developed a practical guide for decision-makers and professionals on how to plan, design, and finance appropriate and environmentally sound municipal wastewater discharge systems. These "Guidelines for Municipal Wastewater Management" focus on four basic elements relevant to efective management of Municipal Wastewater: approaches and policies, institutional arrangements, technological choices, and financing options. Each element is supported by a practical checklist.
Stakeholder Involvement and review - The global GPA guidelines have been based upon experiences in wastewater management worldwide, and have already undergone several rounds of review and consultation. Nevertheless, the guidelines require consideration of localised situations and experiences. Within the context of the WIO-LaB project, the global guidelines are therefore being put forward for review and consideration by all stakeholders in the Western Indian Ocean region. The final product of ths regional review will be an annex to the global guidelines.
More information of the GPA, including its activities, other guidelines and reference documents can be found at http://www.gpa.unep.org
Regionalisation of the Guidelines for Physical Alteration and Destruction of Habitats
The increase of populations and economic activities in coastal areas is leading to an expansion in development, which in turn leads to the alteration of coastal zones and waters and their habitats such as coral reefs, shorelands, beachfronts, and the seafloor. The Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) is undertaking a project to address these threats by supporting the efforts of stakeholders in protecting coastal and marine habitats against physical alteration and destruction. The focus will be on four economic sectors that potentially pose a threat to such habitats. They include: tourism; ports and harbours; aquaculture; and mining (sand and aggregate extraction). Assistance will be provided through, among other things, the development of checklists and guidance for each sector and are intended to:
- increase understanding and recognition of actions necessary to minimise the impacts of aquaculture, tourism, mining and port development on the coastal zone. Physical alteration and habitat destruction and sediment mobilisation resulting from these impacting activities are the main focus attention;
- provide direction in the development of these economically important sectors so that they do not in any way hamper environmentally sustainable development within the coastal zone;
- serve as consensus guide to national and sub-national decision makers and the stakeholders in the industry to minimise physical alteration and habitat destruction.
For more details please visit the dedicated GPA PADH webpage at http://padh.gpa.unep.org/
Other activities
A range of other activities are being undertaken as part of the WIO-LaB Project. These include most importantly:
- A range of national and regional training and educational programmes on LBA management.
- Stakeholder involvement and awareness raising activities.
- A small-grants programme for NGOs and CBOs operating in the field of LBA management.
- Streengthening of the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessmenet as a management tool, in particular as it concerns tranboundary and cumulative impacts.
- The development of a region-wide analysis of transboundary impacts of LBAs, and the development of a regional Strategic Action Programme to mitigate such impacts.
Fourth Meeting of the WIO-LaB Project Steering Committee