As efforts are being made towards restoring the ecosystem, the need to protect the aquatic ecosystem, end to ocean pollution and sea piracy have been emphasized.

Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, the Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) made the assertion in Benin recently at a two programme organised by the organisaion for its School of Ecology.

The two days programme titled ‘Politics of the Sea’ focused on the technicalities and politics of the Blue Economy which was aimed at promoting a cross-sectoral understanding of the Blue Economy concept.

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“We want to protect our fisheries, we want to protect our aquatic ecosystem, and we want to call for an end to pollution, sea piracy and human right abuse from security agents in our waters. We are calling for the use of marine resources for our citizens in a sustain-able way. We are calling for an end to seeing and treating our Ocean, Rivers and creeks as waste dumps. We are especially calling for a halt in investment in searching for new fossil fuels, expansion of oil wells in our water bodies and other frontal basins,” he demanded.

In his paper presentation titled ‘Politics of Turbulent Waters’, the Executive Director, while admitting position of Africa at the centre of the world, adding that the challenge of being in the centre has made easy accessibility from every part of the world and thereby making it easy to be exploited.

He noted, “Africa is extremely exploited, the amount of money that comes into Africa is less than the resources that leave to other part of the world. We are appealing that the young people become actively involved in nonpartisan politics and what I’d call the politics of listening.”

“When the ocean warms up because of global warming, the fishes suffer and die because they cannot survive in that temperature. Some migrate to colder regions and habitats, which means less catch for our fishers.

“African leaders believe that the Blue Economy offers limitless opportunities for resource extraction and investments. According to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the Blue Economy in the African context covers both freshwater and marine spaces, including oceans, seas, coasts, lakes, rivers, and underground water.

“It encompasses a range of productive sectors, including fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, shipbuilding, energy, bioprospecting, and underwater mining and related activities.”

Bassey who noted that HOMEF’s concerns for the Blue Economy concept was a push deriving economic gains, said , “The push for a Blue Economy is just not what it claims to be. It is rather a push for deriving of economic gains from our freshwater and marine ecosystems. It means a fundamental shift in the way streams, rivers, lakes, and the oceans are perceived.” (Sic).

He continues, “The Blue Economy is a top-down concept that claims to enhance the living standards and livelihoods of the people.

“Investments in marine biotech research especially for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bioenergy and “new” food is expected to reach USD 5.9 billion by 2022 and investment in this sector can raise peculiar problems for Africa with its largely lax and 7 compromised biosafety regimes. Illegal fishing and maritime insecurity will become more pronounced with the enthronement of the Blue Economy.”

On her part, Martha Agbani, the Executive Director, Lokiaka Women Development and Resources Centre, in her paper presentation noted that oil pollution is particularly threating rivers and other water bodies in Ogoni land.

While lamenting that various food products have gone into extinction because of oil pollution, Agbani said, “the Ogoni People are rich in diverse culture and varieties of food but the depths of pollution in the area have pushed some of these into extinction.

“This pollution has been left unattended to over the years and the government seems to act like it is not aware or that it lacks the capacity to deal with the problem. The encroachment and rapid invasion of Nipa Palm is also another issue that is threatening the health of our aquatic ecosystem.

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“We see people go into the river to fish and return empty handed with their legs and net soiled with oil. At Lokiakia Foundation, we decided to come up with ideas to replant mangroves in the Ogoni land pending when the cleanup will commence.

“We now see things like periwinkles return to some parts of the river as the land is being treated and mangroves begin to regrow. At least this little quantity can serve individuals and families for their immediate use. We see mangrove planting as means of reopening the river live for more use.”

At the end of the programme, participants at the School of Ecology believe that activities in some of these sectors – like underwater mining and related activities – will undermine the ecological integrity of African freshwater and marine ecosystems.