Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems Project

In the process of supporting the participating countries to work together to develop a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDAs) and Strategic Action Programme (SAP), the ASCLME Project is starting with a national activity for each of the countries to develop a comprehensive Marine Ecosystem Diagnostic Analysis (MEDA). This will be an integrated resource combining up-to-date, comprehensive state-of-the-environment information together with a causal chain analysis, diagnostic of coastal livelihoods, cost-benefit analysis of possible interventions and a monitoring and indicator assessment programme.

Once complete, the MEDAs will form the factual basis of each country’s contribution to the regional TDA. MEDAs will capture essential information related to the dynamic biophysical processes that define the LMEs, and identify areas of concern that will feed into the TDA, and the SAP. As such they are fundamentally important to the success of the ASCLME Project. The parallel UNEP (WIO-LaB) and World Bank (SWIOFP) Projects, as well as other partner projects (e.g. the EAF-Nansen Project) and institutions (e.g. the IRD and IOC) will also feed pertinent information into the process and assist in identifying policy, legal and institutional reforms and investments required to address transboundary priorities.

Whilst the TDA/SAP process is very effective at the regional level, each MEDA will result in a nationally relevant publication and information resource for management of the marine ecosystem by each country. It will add a new dimension to the management of LMEs by better understanding the overall state of the environment within each country.