The International Science Council (ISC) and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) are co-organizing partners of the Scientific and Technological Community Major Group at the United Nations. They aim to integrate science and technology in global policy processes, such as the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda. During the High-Level Political Forums, the Major Group of the S&T Community stressed that Member States are not leveraging the full potential of the scientific and engineering community to discover and implement workable ways to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The ISC & WFECO submitted a paper to the 2024 United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF), "From science to action: Leveraging scientific knowledge and solutions for advancing sustainable and resilient development". Through case studies, the ISC highlights the importance of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex sustainability challenges. A case study, "Low-hanging fruit: A women's knowledge-based approach to blue carbon restoration and conservation in West Africa" highlights the role of women-led shellfisheries in driving blue carbon restoration and conservation in West Africa, crucial for achieving at least 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including No Poverty, No Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Employment, Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Life on Land. The case study underscores the need for inclusive and deliberative engagement between science, policy makers, and local communities to foster trust in scientific approaches.
We are pleased to share the case study which is reproduced with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. Here is the link to the full publication. The case study is on page 10: https://council.science/publications/from-science-to-action-hlpf2024/
Case study 2:
Low-hanging fruit: A women’s knowledge-based approach to blue carbon restoration and conservation in West Africa
Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section of the Asian Fisheries Society and Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World.
Geographical scope: West Africa
Coastal habitats, including mangroves, provide a multitude of ecosystem services that help achieve the SDGs both directly and indirectly. Mangroves have historically given coastal communities access to productive fish and shellfish fishing grounds, supplying them with food and vital nutrients (SDG 2). Along with wood for building, they are also a source of wood for charcoal, firewood, honey, textiles, dyes, tannins and medicines (SDG 12). Beyond meeting basic needs, harvesting of natural resources ensures livelihoods and economic growth (SDG 8), as well as generating income and reducing poverty (SDG 1). Additionally, mangroves are essential wetlands that play a significant role in the cycling of nutrients and water (SDG 6), provide habitats for fish and marine organisms (SDG 14), and support high biodiversity, with numerous mammals, reptiles and birds, including threatened species (SDG 15).
Nevertheless, mangroves remain among the most endangered tropical ecosystems due to human activities, threatening local livelihoods and biodiversity, and exacerbating climate change. From 1996 to 2020, global mangrove loss totalled 5, 245 km2 (3.4 percent), with Africa losing 152. 2 km2 (2.15 percent) (Naidoo, 2023). In West Africa, the mutual dependence between shellfisheries, mangroves and the human component has frequently been overlooked. However, viewing mangroves as coupled natural–human systems has highlighted the importance of traditional ecological knowledge for conserving biodiversity and critical habitats linked to fisheries productivity.
Women-dominated mangrove shellfisheries offer a valuable link between local ecological knowledge and scientific efforts to address mangrove loss, sea level rise, ocean acidification and climate change. Women’s ecological knowledge is crucial for informing the management and conservation of mangroves at both regional and global levels. Some examples of successful women-led, community-based conservation efforts are represented by the Try Oyster Women’s Association and the Densu Oyster Pickers, which have developed oyster fishery management plans including community-managed, exclusive use zones and seasonal closures for oyster harvesting.
These actions are complemented by mangrove replanting efforts and oyster value chain development to enhance sustainability and economic benefits (Asare 2017: Development Action Association 2018; Asare et 2019; Hayford et al. 2021; Su et al., 2021; Anokye and Potakye, 2023; Macfadyen et al., 2023; Roy et al. 2023). Other projects have also encouraged sustainable practices and conservation efforts (Wabnitz et al. 2023).
These initiatives demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating scientific research with local ecological knowledge to achieve sustainable mangrove management and conservation. Among the positive effects are reduced impacts on mangrove forests and increased harvest from implementing a closed season, along with improved working conditions, financial security and empowerment of local women through education and training.
References
- Anokye, N. A. and Potakey, H. M. D. 2023. Understanding the Nexus of Mangroves and Women in Ghana. Technical Report. Washington, D. C., The World Bank. https://www.wacaprogram.org/sites/waca/files/knowdoc/Mangroves%20and%20Women_Ghana.pdf
- Asare, A. 2017. Profiling of Oyster Fisheries Report. The USAID/Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP). Narragansett, RI, Coastal Resources Center, University of Rhode Island. https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00T4GH.pdf
- Asare, B., Obodai, E. A. and Acheampong, E. 2019. Mangrove oyster farming: Prospects as supplementary livelihood for a Ghanaian fishing community. Journal of Fisheries and Coastal Management, Vol. 1, pp. 7–14.
- Development Action Association. 2018. Mangrove replanting at Densu estuary. The USAID/Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP). Narragansett, RI: Coastal Resources Center, University of Rhode Island and Densu Oyster Pickers Association.
- Global Mangrove Alliance 2023. Mangrove Law and Policy. Global Mangrove Alliance. https://www.mangrovealliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GMA-Policy-Brief_V6.pdf
- Hayford, A., Effah, J. E., Fuseina, I., Abednego, P. and Richard Y. 2021. Women in West African mangrove oyster (Crassostrea tulipa) harvesting, contribution to food security and nutrition in Ghana. Oceanography and Fisheries, Vol. 14, No. 1, p. 555878.
- Macfadyen, G., Vilela López, B., Thiao, D. and Ward, A., 2023. The Mangrove Oyster Value Chain in the Gambia: Summary Analysis and Design Report. Rome, FAO.
- Naidoo G. 2023. The mangroves of Africa: A review. Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 190, p. 114859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul. 2023.114859
- Roy, S., Dasgupta, S. and Miranda, J. J. 2023. Benefits of Mangrove Afforestation and Restoration Programs in Ghana. Technical Report. Washington, D. C., West Africa Coastal Areas High-Level Platform, The World Bank. https://www.wacaprogram.org/sites/waca/files/knowdoc/Mangroves%20Afforestation%20and%20Restoration_Ghana.pdf
- Su, J., Friess, D. A. and Gasparatos, A. 2021. A meta-analysis of the ecological and economic outcomes of mangrove restoration. Nature Communications, Vol. 12, Art. No. 5050. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25349-1
- United Nations Regional Information Centre. 2022. Mangroves for Sustainable Development. Brussels, Belgium, UN Regional Information Centre. https://unric.org/en/mangroves-for-sustainabledevelopment/
- Wabnitz, C. C. C., Cutting, A., Harper S. J. M., et al. 2023. Gender and Fisheries – The Republic of The Gambia. Country Fact Sheet. Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA).