In early May, under the aegis of the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), a workshop brought together representatives from the private sector, civil society and public authorities to discuss coral reef restoration and coastal erosion management. Eco-Sud, which carries out concrete actions to restore coral reefs and integrate local communities and seafarers into its projects, has put forward a number of recommendations.
Dominique Bellier
The situation of our reefs is alarming, with only 20% of the lagoon’s surface covered by coral reefs, even though they are the primary protective barrier for our coasts. Science shows that rising water temperatures are dramatically accelerating coral bleaching and destruction. But the NGO notes that coastal degradation largely precedes global warming, as we have built on dunes, fragmented 60% of wetlands and lost 90% of mangroves. Human pressure has intensified with agricultural pollution, wastewater discharges and sedimentation inherited from land artificialisation.
We can take cuttings or even sow and cultivate corals, but to repair these phenomena, it is imperative to get to the root causes of the problem. Eco-Sud proposes adopting a systemic approach by tackling the pollution that is destroying reefs, by involving coastal communities in decision-making, project implementation and reef monitoring, by conducting regular, long-term scientific monitoring to correct mistakes, and by better including and training young people and people of the sea. The NGO also calls for a rethink of the outdated national development strategy, a reconsideration of the coastline as a common good, and an emphasis on nature-based solutions to halt the “rigidification” of coasts.
Photo: © Eco-Sud – Coline Lemoign
