39. The progress report (CIFA/83/Inf.6) summarized activities concerning water pollution.
40. An activity undertaken expressly for CIFA was a review of the state of pollution of East African inland waters. This was published in 1981 as CIFA Occasional Paper No. 9. It was based on a mission undertaken to Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, the Sudan and Tanzania. A corresponding review of the state of pollution of West and Central African inland waters is scheduled for execution early in 1983. This, also, will be undertaken expressly on behalf of CIFA member countries. Other related pollution activities have included workshops on aquatic pollution in East and West Africa (FAO/SIDA), which focused, in part, on the problems for fisheries created by pollution. In other pollution-related activities for Africa, FAO has been involved with UNEP in preparing action plans for development and protection of the marine and coastal environments in West and East Africa. A project on monitoring contamination levels of heavy metals and pesticides in fish in the West and Central African region was initiated at the end of 1982. Similar project activities in the East African region are expected to commence during 1983.
41. Future activities will include the establishment of a working group on water quality, bioassays and toxicity testing in Africa.
42. Discussion and comments on these initiatives came from many delegates. In essence, delegates expressed their concern about growing pollution and its effects on the aquatic environment (marine and inland) in Africa, particularly on fisheries. Some examples of pollution-caused decreases in fishery yield from various sources were given. Attention was drawn to the need to monitor pollution before it became serious and while still controllable. Communication to planners and developers of the dangers of pollution to fisheries was deemed very important.
43. These concerns can be best summarized in the following statement:
“Noting the concern expressed by delegates on the consequences of pollution on fisheries in Africa and aware of the initiatives already taken on behalf of CIFA, the Committee calls the attention of the Secretariat and CIFA member countries to the following points:
Although the need to monitor the environment is well realized, the necessary equipment may not be available;
Aquatic pollution from agriculture, industry and domestic sources is an increasing problem in Africa. Although the problem at present is not serious in some countries its future consequences for fisheries are great;
One of the basic tools to promote a better knowledge of the effects of pollution and for its amelioration is a comprehensive compilation of Africa's inland waters and their characteristics. The existing compilation “The Inland Waters of Africa”, a CIFA publication, therefore should be updated and expanded. Member countries can play an important role in this by providing the Secretariat with up-to-date information on recent studies of water quality, creation of new impoundments both large and small, and the like;
The sources of pollution which affect fisheries are many. The Secretariat can help the CIFA member countries to collectively express their concern by communicating it to other Departments in FAO and to other UN organizations which deal with pollution;
One means which can be used to directly confront existing and potential aquatic pollution problems is to include some aspects of pollution studies in regional or sub-regional fishery projects, as appropriate. This is equally applicable to fishery projects sponsored by bilateral aid or from other sources as it is to FAO and UN-sponsored projects.”
