23 June 2015: Ecosystem services in the Western Indian Ocean region are valued at US$25 billion annually, according to a ‘Regional State of the Coast Report’ by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The report examines threats to the region’s coral reefs, fisheries and oceans, including urbanization and unsustainable fishing and extraction practices. UNEP released the report at the Eighth Conference of the Parties to the Nairobi Convention, which is taking place on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Convention. The Convention is one of 17 regional seas conventions and action plans that address coastal and marine environments.

The region’s coastal population is highly dependent on fishing for their food and livelihoods, according to the report. However, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and other destructive or unsustainable practices are depleting fish stocks, destroying ecosystems and undermining local economies. Further, the report states that the region’s wild fish stock populations may be approaching their maximum harvest potential.

“Oceans support approximately 350 million jobs worldwide,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, adding that the Western Indian Ocean region “has the capacity to drive employment and economic growth for countries up and down and off the coast.” Observing that urbanization, population growth and other pressures are stressing the region’s marine resources, Steiner recommended the blue economy as the way forward, saying it can help to achieve sustainable growth while improving human well-being and social equality.

The report recommends, inter alia: creating networks of marine protected areas (MPAs); strengthening integrated coastal management; and promoting alternative livelihoods and transboundary cooperation. It includes scenarios, policy options and capacity building recommendations for the coastal and marine environment as well as for legal and institutional frameworks.

The report also highlights the potential environmental impacts of offshore oil and gas extraction, such as impacts on fishing areas and lagoons, mangrove forests, seagrass beds and tourist facilities. To mitigate these impacts, the report recommends boosting the region’s use of renewable energy sources.

The Western Indian Ocean coastal area stretches from Somalia to South Africa. It contains more than 2,200 species of fish and over 350 species of corals, according to UNEP. The report is the first Regional State of the Coast Report and aims to establish a common, baseline understanding of the status of the environment for future reports, scenario building and forecasting. [UNEP Press Release] [Regional State of the Coast Report: Western Indian Ocean]