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People, Petrol, & the Sea. Challenges, Opportunities & Tools. Nairobi & Abidjan Convention COPs Johannesburg, South Africa 5-8 November 2007. Paul Siegel, Ph.D Marine Conservation Advisor psiegel@wwfsenegal.org. Coastal Industries: Hydrocarbons, Fisheries & Tourism.
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People, Petrol, & the Sea Challenges, Opportunities & Tools Nairobi & Abidjan Convention COPsJohannesburg, South Africa5-8 November 2007 Paul Siegel, Ph.DMarine Conservation Advisorpsiegel@wwfsenegal.org
Coastal Industries: Hydrocarbons, Fisheries & Tourism Hydrocarbons: potentially important revenues and energy over the short term which are non-renewable;Fisheries & Tourism: consistent and renewable revenues over the long term Social and environmental synergies
Environmental Risks Exploration & Production • Seismic studies • Infrastructure • Drilling muds and Produced water • Blowouts • Storage : FPSO (single or double hulled) Transportation • Tank washing (pollution + invasive species) • Collisions • Groundings • Leaks
Potential Socio-economic Impacts • Reduced food security • Increased poverty • Social destabilization • Nationally • Internationally • Wasted economic resources
Meeting the challenges • Oil and gas development and transportation already present challenges to both East and West African Coastal States and are on the rise. • To plan effectively, decision makers need information and time. Information is available. Time is short.
Strategic options (Better proactive than reactive…) • Strategic environmental assessments (inter-ministerial, national / regional) • Spatial planning (zoning) • Best technologies and practices • Independent Social/Environmental impact studies (project level) • EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative)
Strategic options (cont) • PSSA (Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas): An opportunity for regional collaboration for managing marine transport ; • International Conventions (e.g. MARPOL, Nairobi Convention, Abidjan Convention) • Dialogue and Consultation between Ministries, at national and regional levels • Draw up a regional regulatory framework (within the Conventions?)
The Bottom line • Short-term:Ensure that existing and planned operations avoid impact on the areas of greatest importance for biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism, and minimise impacts on all other areas. • Medium-term: Use oil and gas development as a means to finance a transition from oil to renewables and to support social and environmental initiatives. • Longer-term: Recognising that oil and gas are non-renewable resources, invest revenues in economic diversification activities and to provide sustainable funding for developmental and social priorities (trust funds?).
Key Questions • How can we maximize the benefits and reduce the negative impact of oil and gas development on the marine environment and the people who depend upon it? • How can the Conventions and their COPs make a difference? Consider recommending that the Conventions • Catalyse regional planning (SEAs, PSSA, etc. (linked to LMEs?)) • Promote the harmonization of legislation • Strengthen East/West African collaboration