Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in the Context of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES)

The African continent is adjacent to highly productive marine ecosystems including the seven African Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) viz., Agulhas Current LME, Benguela Current LME, Guinea Current LME,Canary current LME, Mediterranean Sea LME, Red Sea LME and Somali Current LME. The continent is alsoendowed with networks of rivers and lakes. The seas, oceans, lakes and rivers inhabit significant numberof biodiversity and the ecosystems provide sources of livelihoods, food security and wealth. These African aquatic ecosystems inhabit living and non-living resources; however the unsustainable exploitation of these resources are threatening the biodiversity, resources and environmental sustainability.