By Mohamed J. Kargbo
Stakeholders &EPA staffs posing for photo
In a concerted effort to combat coastal and marine pollution in Sierra Leone, the Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) has convened a two-day technical review workshop with key stakeholders from government agencies and civil society organizations.
The workshop, held at Atlantic Hotel on Aberdeen Beach Road from December 12 to 13, 2024, focused on finalizing the Integrated Coastal and Marine Protection Regulations, which will soon be presented to Parliament for enactment.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Executive Chairman of EPA-SL, Paul Lamin, Director of the Natural Resources Governance Directorate, emphasized the significance of the workshop.
He highlighted that the stakeholders’ review would allow for critical feedback and recommendations on the draft laws aimed at protecting Sierra Leone’s coastal and marine ecosystems.
Lamin explained that the process of drafting these regulations began in 2020, with steady progress made since then.
He stressed that these laws are essential to regulate activities that threaten the country’s coastal environment, such as fishing, mining, and sand extraction. “Without robust legal frameworks, our coastal areas will deteriorate,” Lamin warned.
Sierra Leone’s coastal and marine ecosystems, home to mangroves, rainforests, and coastal islands, play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and local economies. However, unchecked human activities have caused environmental degradation.
Lamin noted that the proposed regulations would introduce proactive measures to preserve these ecosystems’ ecological integrity and ensure sustainable resource management for future generations.
Legal expert Gilbrilla Kamara Esq. presented key elements of the draft regulations, focusing on several critical areas:
The draft outlines the legal definitions, goals, and scope of the regulations, including the classification of coastal public property and state acquisition of private lands in environmentally sensitive zones.
Special Management Areas: Specific zones for conservation, such as fisheries and marine habitats, will be designated, with clear rules on permissible and prohibited activities.
The regulations will implement a “polluter pays” principle, holding offenders financially accountable for environmental damage. Authorities will have the power to inspect marine industries, enforce pollution prevention conventions, and impose fines for violations.
The workshop aimed to gather stakeholder input to strengthen the draft regulations before submission to Parliament. Lamin underscored the collaborative nature of the process, noting that the final legislation would reflect collective efforts to safeguard Sierra Leone’s coastal and marine resources.
As the workshop concluded, participants expressed optimism that the revised legal framework would provide a robust mechanism to manage and protect the country’s vital coastal ecosystems from environmental threats while fostering sustainable development.
