Regional Seas Programme
for Eastern Africa

Overview
History
Action Plan
Nairobi Convention
Meet the captain
Library
The Siren

Overview

The Eastern African region is fringed with coral reefs and mangroves, and abounds with fish. The Indian Ocean has at least 3,000 varieties of shore fish. The mangrove swamps provide oysters, crabs and mullet for the commercial market.

But a scientific mission sent by UNEP in 1981 to evaluate the state of the region's marine environment found widespread damage to coral reefs. The region is a major oil tanker route, and the mission found oil pollution throughout the coastal zone. Land-based pollution from fertilizers and untreated sewage were also problems.

In 1996, the Eastern African states adopted a regional convention for the protection, management and development of the marine and coastal environment, a protocol on protected areas and wild fauna and flora, and a protocol on cooperation in combating marine pollution in cases of emergency.

This action paved way for establishment of the Eastern African Regional Coordinating Unit (EAF/RCU) in Seychelles, the latest link in a consolidated approach to the protection of the marine environment of the region.

The agreed mission of the Eastern African Regional Coordinating Unit is "to provide leadership and encourage partnerships by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and people of the Eastern African Region and their partners to protect, manage and develop their Marine and Coastal Resources in a sustainable manner."