Full report LR.pdf - DLIST Benguela

NACOMA Project - Preparation phaseRapid Assessment of the Development Plans, Biodiversity Conservation Projects and Socio-Economic Situation of the Namib Coastal Regions5.2. Analysis of root causesFrom the analysis of threats to the key biodiversity areas presented above, common issues can beidentified that are perceived as root causes for biodiversity loss. These issues, as well as their relevanceto the NACOMA Project, are described in this section and summarised in Table 8. The root causes forbiodiversity loss and the opportunities to improve the coastal zone’s biodiversity managementframework represent key areas that can be supported by the NACOMA Project.5.2.1. Poor awareness and lack of knowledge of coastal and marine valuesFundamental to support and involve key stakeholders in sustainable coastal management is anunderstanding of the value of biological and cultural diversity. Because most people in the coastalregions have had limited access to the coast, they cannot easily attach a value to it. In scientific terms,knowledge about species and ecosystems in Namibia is limited. The opening of the Sperrgebiet willprovide a major break through for the study of the Succulent Karoo ecosystem. It is important tounderstand the natural resources that exist in terms of their latent value as well as their potential aseconomic generators. Assessing the economic value of the coast’s biological and cultural assets can helpengage stakeholders and raise funding for initiatives promoting conservation and sustainable naturalresources use.Increased knowledge about the regions’ biodiversity would also assist the Regional Councils in theirplanning activities for conservation and wise use of natural resources. There is also a general lack ofunderstanding of the intrinsic changes of the BCLME, which impact on natural resources availabilityand therefore natural resource-based economic activities 96 . Diversification of economic activities ratherthan sole reliance on a specific livelihood would be positive for regional development, and therefore it isimportant that Regional Councils understand this natural variability.Scientific research into the coast’s biological and cultural values should be promoted and supported bythe indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge. It is crucial to enhance the Regional Councils’understanding of the regions’ natural resources, their potential and vulnerabilities and their capacity tointegrate biodiversity concerns into regional planning. This will require coastal profiles to be drawn upalso for the Kunene, Hardap and Karas regions, and then to harmonise the four coastal profiles into asingle document (perhaps as four chapters with and overarching introduction and conclusion). A popularversion of this profile needs to be produced for consumption by the general public and all levels ofgovernment, NGOs and communities. It will also require the economic assessment of the naturalresources along the coast and their potential as economic generators. NACOMA targeted investmentsshould focus on those key natural resources. Initial guidelines were developed during the NACOMAworkshop held in Swakopmund in August 2004 97 for identifying projects, which should be finalised andadhered to as far as possible. Furthermore, it will require an awareness campaign to enhanceunderstating of the coast and facilitate the participation of the coastal population in the coastal zonepolicy development process.96 Barnard, P., 2004. Personal communication, Cape Town, 8 September 2004.97 Mufeti, T., F. Odendaal, R. Garcia, J. Oranje and I.Kauvee, 2004. NACOMA Preparation Workshop – WorkshopProceedings. Swakopmund, 11-13 August 2004.47