The NEPAD Coastal and marine Programme (NEPAD COSMAR) falls within the larger NEPAD Environment action Plan (NEAP) which comprises of eight thematic areas: combating land degradation; drought and desertification; wetlands; invasive species; marine and coastal resources; cross-border conservation of natural resources; climate change; and crosscutting issues. The Plan was developed through a participatory and consultative process involving African experts from different sectors of the environment under the leadership of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).

The NEAP was adopted at the Second Summit of the African Union which was held in Maputo from 10th to 12th July 2003. It outlines priority actions that African countries need to implement to maintain the integrity of the environment and ensure the sustainable use of their natural resources through partnerships with the international community.

NEPAD COSMAR development process
The Coastal and Marine priority area had a head start through a Global Environment Facility (GEF) medium-sized project, the “African Process for the Development and Protection of the Coastal and Marine Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa” that involved eleven coastal states (including Kenya) from November 2000 to September 2002.

Through this project, participating countries carried out a comprehensive assessment of the threat and causes of degradation in the coastal and marine environments.  This led to the development of detailed programme of action to tackle the main issues affecting the coastal and marine environment of sub-Saharan Africa.

A Partnership conference at the level of Heads of State held in conjunction with the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in September 2002 endorsed the output of the African process and approved its integration as the coastal and marine programme of the NEPAD Environment Initiative.

In a meeting of AMCEN held in Kampala, Uganda, from 1-5 July 2002, it was recommended that the eight thematic areas of NEAP including NEPAD COSMAR be elaborated further with a view to identifying priority areas and projects for development of the final NEPAD Environment Action Plan. In line with this recommendation, the workshop on NEPAD COSMAR thematic area was held in Abuja, Nigeria on 24-25 February 2003. As an outcome of the workshop, concrete priority areas containing project interventions were developed for NEPAD COSMAR thematic area.

Endorsement of NEPAD COSMAR action areas
The report of the thematic workshop on NEPAD COSMAR was reviewed together with reports of other eight thematic areas of NEAP by the Steering Committee in Maputo on 23rd to 24th April 2003. The result of the review was a draft Action Plan for the Environment Initiative of NEPAD covering all the eight thematic areas of NEPAD environment initiative, including NEPAD COSMAR. Over 200 projects were also proposed to tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues in Africa.

The draft Action Plan of the Environment Initiative of NEPAD was considered at a special session of AMCEN held on 9th and 10th June 2003, at which time the ministers endorsed it subject to a number of proposed amendments. The revised Action Plan was then submitted to the Summit of the African Union at a meeting held in Maputo from 10th to 12th July 2003, at which the African Union adopted the Action Plan.

In order to mobilize the necessary resources for then implementation of the Action Plan, a decision was adopted by the same African Union Summit held in Maputo calling for a Donors/Partners Conference. The Partners’ Conference was held in Algiers, Algeria on December 15th and 16th, 2003. Its purpose was to engage the development partners in a policy dialogue to consider the implementation of the Action Plan. 

NEPAD COSMAR priority areas
Six priority areas have been identified for future interventions under the NEPAD coastal and marine (NEPAD COSMAR) thematic area of the NEPAD Environment initiative. They are: (1) Conservation of key habitats; (2) Sustainable development and use of living resources; (3) Coastal Erosion; (4) Integrated coastal zone management; (5) Pollution; (6) Climate change. The goal of NEPAD COSMAR programme is to mainstream environmental concerns into the development agenda of countries through targeted actions that address not only environmental concerns, but also institutional, regulatory, policy and capacity aspects.

Several regional projects centered around the six priority areas and supplemented by a few other additional ‘associated projects’ have been recommended for implementation under the programme. Projects identified under each theme are listed below:

• Conservation of key habitats
• Sustainable development and use of living resources
• Coastal Erosion
• Integrated coastal zone management
• Pollution
• Climate change

Conservation of key habitats
Conservation of Biodiversity through the enhancement and/or establishment of Marine Protected Areas in sub-Saharan Africa

The project concept seeks to promote the protection of key habitats and globally significant biodiversity along African coasts through the implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) where they do not exist, and enhancement of existing MPAs, and the creation of a network to link them. Project activities will focus on:

• Promotion of adequate management systems for MPAs, with a strong emphasis on the involvement of local communities
• Assessment of the ecological, socio-economic and cultural value of MPAs
• Ensuring that appropriate legislative and policy frameworks on MPAs are set in place

Mangrove Management in sub-Saharan Africa
The project concept seeks to counter the threats to mangrove forests in Africa, derived from overexploitation and destruction. Numerous activities will be carried out including:

• Socio-economic assessments and studies of mangrove-related issues
• Mangrove management training
• Awareness-raising campaigns
• Mangrove rehabilitation programmes
• Promotion of alternative sources of energy and building materials
• Establishment of mangrove forest reserves
• Implementation of pilot conservation projects to demonstrate sustainable livelihood options for local communities

Improving the protection and stability of coral reefs and associated communities
The overall objective of the project is to enhance protection of coral reefs and associated communities. Activities will include:

• Evaluation of use patterns by neighbouring human communities
• Implementation of conservation initiatives such as buoy installations in especially affected areas
• Revision and development of relevant policy and regulatory frameworks
• Provision of information and technical support to relevant decision making bodies and organizations responsible for coral reef management
• Capacity building on coral reef management

Assessment and mitigation of the ecological and socio-economic impacts of destructive fishing practices in sub-Saharan Africa
The project is designed to control environmentally harmful fishing activities with a view to enhancing sustainable use of marine fisheries. Activities of this project include:

• Promotion of community participation in fisheries management
• Conservation of threatened biodiversity
• Regional harmonization of national strategies to reverse existing damage
• Strengthening fisheries formulation of management plans
• Developing incentives for the adoption of alternative sustainable livelihoods by targeted communities

Strengthening management, monitoring, control and surveillance capacity in fisheries management organizations in sub-Saharan Africa
The project targets the development of monitoring, control and surveillance capabilities in the participating countries, thus providing a key contribution to the reduction of unsustainable pressure upon fisheries along African coasts. Activities will include:

• Reinforcement of existing policy, legislative and managerial frameworks
• Introduction of vessel monitoring systems at the national and sub-regional levels
• Facilitate compilation of a sub-regional fishing vessels register to facilitate monitoring of fishing activities and the adequate enforcement of fisheries laws

Sustainable development and use of living resources
Reduction of environment impact from coastal tourism through introduction of policy changes and strengthening public-private partnership

The project concept aims to promote establishment of national strategies and guidelines for promoting sustainable tourism in the context of coastal zone management. This will be achieved through:

• Building the capacity of institution to promote sustainable coastal tourism
• promotion of ecotourism enterprises in environmental conservation
  Implementation of an Eco-certification and Labeling Pilot Programme for Hotels
• Preparation of National Ecotourism Strategies

Promotion of sustainable livelihood strategies in sub-Saharan Africa
This project concept will seek to improve livelihood prospects for sub-Saharan coastal communities through the creation of a self-sustaining capital trust fund that will finance small projects to promote environmentally sound livelihoods.

Project activities will include:

• Creation and promotion of an Alternative Livelihood Strategy Fund
• Use of the infrastructure and network associated with the Alternative
• Livelihood Strategy Fund to assist coastal communities in accessing other existing funds for similar projects
• Implementation of pilot projects in priority areas

Mariculture and Aquaculture development in sub-Saharan Africa 
The project seeks to enhance the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources by providing a solid alternative to fishing, thus contributing to the reduction of anthropogenic pressures on fisheries resources. Activities will include:

• promoting ecologically and economically sustainable mariculture options through the facilitation of appropriate policy and legislative frameworks
• Initiation of sustainable Mariculture pilot projects,
• capacity-building and promotion of the involvement of the private sector in community-based industries

Coastal Erosion
Mitigation of Coastal Erosion in Sub-Saharan Africa
The project aims at providing and implementing solutions to degradation caused by coastal erosion through:

• Assessment and identification of affected sites
• Assessment of factors causing shoreline changes
• Designing, implementing and monitoring of appropriate solutions to coastal erosion problems.
• Building the capacity of institutions in coastal erosion control
• Creation of awareness and exchange of experiences in coastal erosion control

Addressing land degradation to mitigate the impacts of sediments on the aquatic environment

The objective of the project concept is to establish a series of demonstration sites where specific measures will be taken to reduce soil input from degraded catchments into aquatic environment and to mitigate sediment impacts on the aquatic environment
  
Mitigation of coastal erosion caused by oil and gas exploration activities

The objective of this project is to establish a series of demonstration sites where specific measures will be taken to mitigate coastal erosion caused by oil and gas exploration activities 

Integrated coastal zone management
Supporting the development and implementation of Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM) in Sub-Saharan Africa

The project seeks to support and facilitate the implementation and development of integrated marine and coastal area management (ICAM) approaches as a key element for addressing coastal erosion. The project activities are:

• Assessments of constraints to effective implementation of ICAM approaches at the national level
• Development of strategies to address constraints to effective implementation of ICAM approaches
• Information sharing and dissemination

Promoting the establishment of RAMSAR sites and developing a participatory and integrated approach for river basin management in sub-Saharan Africa
The project aims to promote appropriate management of river basins and associated wetlands and estuaries, so as to preserve these key habitats and enhance their functions as nursery, breeding and spawning grounds. Project activities will include:

• Implementing pilot community-based MPA conservation projects
• Education and awareness creation to ensure long-term sustainability of crucial ecosystems

Integrated coastal area management for Small Island Developing states (SIDS)
The objective of the project is to involve national and regional stakeholders in identifying and developing a regional SAP for the sustainable management of coastal areas. Project activities include:

• 
  conducting a Diagnostic Analysis (DA) by African SIDS on factors affecting integrated coastal areas management in order to identify priority issues, gaps and overlaps that affect the sustainable use of these resources
• Formulating a Country-Based Response Strategy (CBRS) and a SAP to address priority issues identified at regional levels and global levels
• Implementing the Strategic Action Programme and Country Based Response Strategy formulated

Pollution
Municipal Solid Waste Management and Enhancement of Environmental Quality in sub-Saharan Africa

The project has three components:

• Establishment of sustainable solid waste management practices including reuse or recycling,
• Promotion of solid waste collection and disposal systems and facilities in targeted coastal areas.
• Capacity building at municipal and community levels, and raising public awareness for the maintenance and rehabilitation of solid waste treatment facilities.

Management of Municipal Sewage in sub-Saharan Africa through Appropriate Technologies

The project aims to put in place a comprehensive strategy for management of municipal Sewage. Project components include:

• Facilitating installation of treatment and recycling facilities/plants, which are either non existent or inadequately maintained
• Conducting assessments of the impacts of untreated waste water discharges in the coastal zone
• Capacity building and awareness raising

Prevention of pollution from shipping activities and strengthening of national and regional oil spill management systems in sub –Saharan Africa

The project seeks to strengthen overall marine pollution capabilities on a regional scale, with an emphasis on oil-spill management. It will play a major role in reinforcing and supporting current and ongoing initiatives in oil spill management in participating countries Project objectives include:
Restoration and remediation of areas polluted by oil spillage
Provision of port reception facilities
Assessment of used lubricating oils in the West and Central Africa (WACAF) area as well as measures for their elimination and for the implementation of marine pollution conventions.

Climate change
Impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on the coastal zones of sub-Saharan Africa Project

The project seeks to identify coastal zones vulnerable to climate change impacts through determination of historical sea level rise using various types of data. Project activities include analysis of environmental and socio-economic impacts of climate change as well as of adaptation measures.

Assessment of the vulnerability of sub-Saharan coastal zones to the different impacts of climate change

The project aims at assessing the effects of recent climate change patterns on crucial marine ecosystems in the region, through the application of General Circulation Model (GCM) data with a focus on global warming trends. When completed, the project will provide a solid information base for the design and implementation of future policies plans of action and interventions. Activities will include:

• Development of predictions on likely variations in key climate variables, stressing the inclusion of socio-economic considerations into its operative conceptual models
• Transfer of knowledge to relevant government departments and research organizations
• Broad dissemination of research results

Establishment of adaptation strategies for impacts of climate change on water availability and quality

The main objective of this project concept is to establish and promote the methodology on the assessment of the impacts of the climate change on the water availability and quality, particularly in the Sahel countries where rapid reduction of rainfall is recorded, and in the southern African countries where drought and floods are experienced. Climate change impacts on water quality (dissolved oxygen, water temperature rise, growth of algae, etc.) will be given due attention in this project.

NEPAD COSMAR associated projects
Addressing land-based activities in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO-LaB)

The project focuses on addressing degradation of the marine and coastal environment from land-based activities. It has three objectives:

• To reduce stress to the marine and coastal ecosystems by improving water and sediment quality
• To strengthen regional legal basis for preventing land-based sources of pollution; and
• To develop regional capacity and strengthen institutions for sustainable, less polluting development.

Activities of objective (i):
Focuses on regional capacity building through training, institutional strengthening, scientific/monitoring activities, regional assessment, establishment of water-quality based standards (EQS), and demonstration projects.

Activities of objective (ii):
Focuses on improving the policy and legislative basis for effective controls on land-based activities, improving national policy and legislation, assisting countries in developing their National Plans of Action for Land-Based Activities, and developing a regional protocol with annexes for the Nairobi Convention, on Land-Based Activities.

Activities of objective (iii):
Focuses on training, education, public-private sector partnerships, and small-grants program, as well as the establishment of a Regional Coordination Unit within the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, partly as an institutional strengthening operation

The GOOS-Africa project on enhancement of sea level monitoring in Africa as a component of integrated coastal area management and early warning system.

The project aims at enhancing sea level monitoring in Africa with a view of availing tidal information needed, in particular, for addressing the following:

• Coastal erosion,
• Flooding,
• Salt water intrusion,
• Sea-level topographic map production with satellite calibration,
• Assessment of ecosystem health,
• Marine navigation and transportation,
• Oil exploration and exploitation activities,
• Marine pollution and
• Oil spill mitigation and production of an Early warning system.

Combating coastal area degradation and living resources depletion in the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME).

The project seeks to enhance regional efforts to address critical environmental and natural resource management problems in the GCLME with a view to achieving environmental and resource sustainability. National and regional policies and institutions for the protection and sustainable use of the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) will be developed.