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The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) have signed a significant Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) aimed at strengthening marine biodiversity conservation through more effective management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Sierra Leone.
The agreement, part of the Abidjan Convention small grant project, was signed at a ceremony held at the EPA Headquarters in Freetown.
The collaborative effort focuses on protecting marine and coastal ecosystems in the Scarcies and Sierra Leone River Estuaries, two critical regions under threat. The MOA outlines strategies to manage and mitigate risks to marine species, as well as to enhance governance of MPAs. Both organizations will coordinate efforts to improve conservation practices and ensure long-term sustainability of these ecosystems.
As part of the agreement, the NPAA will re-demarcate the boundaries of the Scarcies and Sierra Leone River Estuary MPAs and develop a participatory co-management plan involving local stakeholders. The NPAA will also work closely with the EPA to conduct environmental training for MPA managers. Meanwhile, the EPA will play a supervisory role, overseeing project implementation and providing regular updates to national and international partners, including the Abidjan Convention Secretariat.
The MOA also calls for the establishment of a Bilateral Coordination Committee (BCC) to guide the implementation of the agreement’s objectives. Both institutions will present a detailed work plan and financial reports, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the project’s execution.
Key anticipated outcomes include the creation of a co-management plan, an awareness-raising campaign, the mapping of the two MPAs, and comprehensive environmental training for key personnel. These efforts align with Sierra Leone’s Marine Spatial Planning initiative and are part of a broader strategy to promote ocean innovation and sustainable marine resource management.
This partnership is seen as a major step forward in Sierra Leone’s commitment to protecting its rich marine biodiversity and ensuring the resilience of its coastal ecosystems.
