Fishermen, ecosystem among the major losers in proposed projects

Apart from the fear that the proposed Lamu port and refinery could lead to the displacement of 6,000 people, there are concerns that the project could cause serious damage to the delicate marine ecosystem.

It will involve mass uprooting of mangrove trees that act as breeding ground for rare fish. It will also cause water pollution due to possible oil spillage from the refinery.

Lamu is known worldwide for its biodiversity and as a breeding ground for exotic fish species for the entire East African coastline from Somali to Mozambique while the Kiunga Marine National Reserve is part of the Manda Bay buffer zone.

Kenya Marine Forum Lamu branch chairman Kohamed Athman is concerned that the destruction of mangrove trees will disturb the ecosystem and endanger the livelihood of hundreds of fishermen. Mr Athman said his organisation is lobbying for the projects to be shelved for the sake of the environment, despite the expected benefits.

According to Athman, the environmental impact alone and the effects on local subsistence fishermen and local farmers, could overshadow the benefits.

Research shows that the East African coast loses about 3,000 acres per year and massive development will only make it worse.

The bay around Manda Island is known to support corals, sea grass beds and lush stands of mangrove, while marine turtles use these areas regularly in the winter as feeding grounds.

Also likely to be endangered is the Dugong fish , commonly known as the seacow, which is unique to Lamu.

These creatures depend on shallow sea grass beds exclusively for their survival and the cutting of the mangrove trees would have an impact on one of Kenya’s most threatened fish species.

In 1980, 60,000 hectares off the coast north of Lamu was designated a Biosphere Reserve under Unesco’s Man and the Biosphere Project in recognition of the international conservation importance of the north eastern coastal region.

Environmental experts say that interference with the environment such as the massive destruction of mangroves, will endanger this fragile ecosystem and reduce its capacity to mitigate climate change effects.

National Environment Management Authority of Kenya principal corporate communications officer Wangari Kihara told The EastAfrican that the organisation will carry out environmental impact assessment from September and if it is found that the projects is likely to cause serious damage to the marine ecosystem, it will advise against it.

Nema is developing a Shoreline Management Strategy to identify key shoreline management issues in Kenya, development along the coast and near the shoreline.

According to the Authority rapid and unplanned development along the coast and near the shoreline in particular have led to conflicts.

In order to prevent the negative impacts of uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the country’s shorelines, Nema recognises the need to develop a strategy for shoreline management in support of overall coastal zone.