TOWARDS THE IMPROVEMENT OF LOCAL PRODUCTS FOR THE SCHOOL CANTEENS
(Haiti Libre) -
The Government of Haiti estimates that at least 60% of products used in the school canteen programs and of food assistance are now available locally and can be purchased directly from producers in Haiti. This is the information that AGROPRESSE obtained from the responsibles of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR).
According the responsibles of the MARNDR, a set of efforts has been initiated through the unit for the facilitation of purchases of local products (UFAPL) in order to make better use of local products and to stimulate at the same time domestic production. To achieve this goal, says MARNDR, it is imperative to ensure not only the availability and the regularity of the offer of local products but also to guarantee a quality standard for products purchased under this program.
In Haiti, several chambers of agriculture; those of Saint Raphael, of Limonade and of La Victoire, were able to sign contracts with the World Food Program (WFP) and the French Cooperation to provide food that will be used largely in the National Program of School Canteens (PNCS). Purchases mainly concern rice and maize totaling hundreds of tons of these foodstuffs.
The responsibles of MARNDR informed that recently some control analysis performed on a sample taken by WFP in a laboratory of Dakota (United States), revealed an abnormally high amount of certain microorganisms.
The proof was established that the grains themselves were not contaminated. MARNDR technicians conducted an evaluation of the technical conditions under which the processing of products is done to make the necessary improvements.
After analysis, they found that the problems reside in the condition of processing structures; specifically the mills, and the non-standard conditions of hygiene related to the processing environment.
To solve these problems and establish a basic system of quality control, the Ministry and its partners have agreed on a plan of action including among others the following points :
Achievement of a diagnostic in the network of suppliers
Achievement of training sessions on hygiene management, and good practices in a food processing plant
Training on the most common microorganisms and who are at risk of contamination
Training on inventory management and the traceability system for products
Punctual monitoring of the implementation of training
Conception of sampling plans - election of laboratories of control and analysis (national and international)
Evaluation of testing protocols during inter-laboratory tests
According to the leaders, these actions on quality control, constitute one of the aspects among the many concerns of the Ministry of Agriculture for which measures will be implemented. For example, the success of the program of local products purchased will require the supervision of producers and the organization of the distribution of the products in question.
Monday, August 29, 2011
ARTICLE - CAPACITY BUILDING - JUSTICE
CAPACITY BUILDING OF COURTS AND CIVIL-STATE OFFICES
(Haiti Libre) -
The Regional Office of the Justice Section of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (Minustah) has launched since the beginning of the month the active phase of the project "Strengthening of the operational capabilities of the rule of law institutions in the South department" in partnership with the Court of First Instance of the Les Cayes and the NGO CARITAS. This project aims to provide public institutions the necessary materials and equipment for the proper functioning of their services.
"This is to build the capacity of the courts and Civil-State offices of the South Department and to improve the conditions of detention in the civil prison in Les Cayes. We initiated this Quick Impact Project (QIP) with our partners" explained Mr. Jean-Louis Marcello, of the Regional Office of the Justice Section of Minustah in Les Cayes; who stated that the dean of the Court of First Instance of Les Cayes, Mr. Pierre E. Vaval, helped to identify the needs; while CARITAS is responsible for managing the funds provided by Minustah, which amounts to 2,462,000 gourds (± U.S. $ 61,000).
The Prison Civil of Les Cayes was selected to receive the first batch of materials; 200 mattresses and 400 plates put at the disposition of the inmates; as well as office equipment for the Registry, which had been burned during the escape attempt in January 2010.
The remainder of the material, is primarily intended for the Civil-State offices and to some courts all considered to be a priority. "It is composed of metal filing cabinets for storage, desks and office chairs for the authorities, chairs for visitors, benches for the courtrooms and registers of Civil status" added Mr. Marcello.
Each of the 15 courts concerned by the project: The Court of Appeals of Les Cayes, the Court of First Instance of Les Cayes, the prosecution of Les Cayes, the Court of First Instance of Coteaux and the Peace courts of: Camp-Perrin, Maniche, Coteaux, Tiburon, Damassin, Port-à-Piment, Rendel, Chardonnières, la Cahouane, Ile à Vache and Chantal will receive kits containing two metal filing cabinets, desk and desk chair, 10 chairs for visitors and benches.
The 10 selected Civil-State of: Les Cayes, Camp-Perrin, Torbeck, Coteaux, Aquin, Cavaillon, Tiburon, Rendel, Port-à-Piment, Chardonnières will each receive kits containing two metal filing cabinets, desks, and office chair, chairs for 10 guests, and 48 registers of Civil status.
The Bar of the Order of Lawyers of the Coteaux also received a desk, chairs and metal filing cabinets.
To date, over 50% of the material was delivered and this will continue until October 2011.
(Haiti Libre) -
The Regional Office of the Justice Section of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (Minustah) has launched since the beginning of the month the active phase of the project "Strengthening of the operational capabilities of the rule of law institutions in the South department" in partnership with the Court of First Instance of the Les Cayes and the NGO CARITAS. This project aims to provide public institutions the necessary materials and equipment for the proper functioning of their services.
"This is to build the capacity of the courts and Civil-State offices of the South Department and to improve the conditions of detention in the civil prison in Les Cayes. We initiated this Quick Impact Project (QIP) with our partners" explained Mr. Jean-Louis Marcello, of the Regional Office of the Justice Section of Minustah in Les Cayes; who stated that the dean of the Court of First Instance of Les Cayes, Mr. Pierre E. Vaval, helped to identify the needs; while CARITAS is responsible for managing the funds provided by Minustah, which amounts to 2,462,000 gourds (± U.S. $ 61,000).
The Prison Civil of Les Cayes was selected to receive the first batch of materials; 200 mattresses and 400 plates put at the disposition of the inmates; as well as office equipment for the Registry, which had been burned during the escape attempt in January 2010.
The remainder of the material, is primarily intended for the Civil-State offices and to some courts all considered to be a priority. "It is composed of metal filing cabinets for storage, desks and office chairs for the authorities, chairs for visitors, benches for the courtrooms and registers of Civil status" added Mr. Marcello.
Each of the 15 courts concerned by the project: The Court of Appeals of Les Cayes, the Court of First Instance of Les Cayes, the prosecution of Les Cayes, the Court of First Instance of Coteaux and the Peace courts of: Camp-Perrin, Maniche, Coteaux, Tiburon, Damassin, Port-à-Piment, Rendel, Chardonnières, la Cahouane, Ile à Vache and Chantal will receive kits containing two metal filing cabinets, desk and desk chair, 10 chairs for visitors and benches.
The 10 selected Civil-State of: Les Cayes, Camp-Perrin, Torbeck, Coteaux, Aquin, Cavaillon, Tiburon, Rendel, Port-à-Piment, Chardonnières will each receive kits containing two metal filing cabinets, desks, and office chair, chairs for 10 guests, and 48 registers of Civil status.
The Bar of the Order of Lawyers of the Coteaux also received a desk, chairs and metal filing cabinets.
To date, over 50% of the material was delivered and this will continue until October 2011.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
ARTICLE - FALLING GRAIN PRODUCTION
GRAIN PRODUCION FALLING AS SOIL EROSION CONTINUES
(Tree Hugger) - By Lester Brown
The thin layer of topsoil that covers much of the earth's land surface is the foundation of civilization. As long as soil erosion on cropland does not exceed new soil formation, all is well. But once it does, it leads to falling soil fertility and eventually to land abandonment. As countries lose their topsoil through overgrazing, overplowing, or deforestation, they eventually lose the capacity to feed themselves. Among those facing this problem are Lesotho, Haiti, Mongolia, and North Korea.
Lesotho, one of Africa's smallest countries with only 2 million people, is paying a heavy price for its soil losses. A U.N. team visiting in 2002 found that crop production there "is declining and could cease altogether over large tracts of country if steps are not taken to reverse soil erosion, degradation, and the decline in soil fertility." During the last 10 years, Lesotho's grain harvest dropped by half as its soil fertility fell. Its collapsing agriculture has left the country heavily dependent on food imports.
In the western hemisphere, Haiti was largely self-sufficient in grain 40 years ago. Since then, its population has doubled and it has lost nearly all its forests and much of its topsoil, forcing it to import over half of its grain. Lesotho and Haiti are both dependent on U.N. World Food Programme lifelines.
A similar situation exists in Mongolia, where over the last 20 years nearly three fourths of the wheatland has been abandoned and wheat yields have started to fall, shrinking the harvest by four fifths. Mongolia now imports nearly 70 percent of its wheat.
North Korea, largely deforested and suffering from flood-induced soil erosion and land degradation, has watched its yearly grain harvest fall from a peak of more than 5 million tons during the 1980s to scarcely 3.5 million tons during the first decade of this century.
Soil erosion is taking a human toll. Whether the degraded land is in Haiti, Lesotho, Mongolia, North Korea, or any of the many other countries losing their soil, the health of the people cannot be separated from the health of the land itself.
More data from World on the Edge by Lester R. Brown is available at www.earth-policy.org .
(Tree Hugger) - By Lester Brown
The thin layer of topsoil that covers much of the earth's land surface is the foundation of civilization. As long as soil erosion on cropland does not exceed new soil formation, all is well. But once it does, it leads to falling soil fertility and eventually to land abandonment. As countries lose their topsoil through overgrazing, overplowing, or deforestation, they eventually lose the capacity to feed themselves. Among those facing this problem are Lesotho, Haiti, Mongolia, and North Korea.
Lesotho, one of Africa's smallest countries with only 2 million people, is paying a heavy price for its soil losses. A U.N. team visiting in 2002 found that crop production there "is declining and could cease altogether over large tracts of country if steps are not taken to reverse soil erosion, degradation, and the decline in soil fertility." During the last 10 years, Lesotho's grain harvest dropped by half as its soil fertility fell. Its collapsing agriculture has left the country heavily dependent on food imports.
In the western hemisphere, Haiti was largely self-sufficient in grain 40 years ago. Since then, its population has doubled and it has lost nearly all its forests and much of its topsoil, forcing it to import over half of its grain. Lesotho and Haiti are both dependent on U.N. World Food Programme lifelines.
A similar situation exists in Mongolia, where over the last 20 years nearly three fourths of the wheatland has been abandoned and wheat yields have started to fall, shrinking the harvest by four fifths. Mongolia now imports nearly 70 percent of its wheat.
North Korea, largely deforested and suffering from flood-induced soil erosion and land degradation, has watched its yearly grain harvest fall from a peak of more than 5 million tons during the 1980s to scarcely 3.5 million tons during the first decade of this century.
Soil erosion is taking a human toll. Whether the degraded land is in Haiti, Lesotho, Mongolia, North Korea, or any of the many other countries losing their soil, the health of the people cannot be separated from the health of the land itself.
More data from World on the Edge by Lester R. Brown is available at www.earth-policy.org .
ARTICLE - UNCONTROLLED SAND QUARRIES
UNCONTROLLED EXPLOITATION OF SAND QUARRIES AT "MON KABRIT"
(Haiti Libre) -
The Haitian Council of Non State Actors (CONHANE), the Civil Society Initiative (ISC) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Centre joined their forces to fight against the uncontrolled exploitation of sand quarries on «Mòn Kabrit».
For several years operators and carriers, without any control of state services, without legal permits, without respect to any technical standard, without respect for life and without any concern for compliance with environmental and aesthetic criteria, continue to collect sand in this geographical area increasing the risk of causing a profound and irreversible destabilization of the environment. This wild and unregulated exploitation has increased in a tragic way since the rehabilitation of National Road #3 and after the closure of the quarries of sand at Laboule following the earthquake of January 2010.
The CONHANE, ISC and CCIH-Centre have made some technical observations and inquired of the causes and consequences of such a chaotic development:
The Bureau of Mines and Energy (BME) is the only state body designated to assign legal permits for the exploitation of quarrying of sand across the country. However, according to accurate and safe information, operators of Mòn Kabrit receive permits from the City of Thomazeau. Who should enforce the law? Which instance of the state, which power of the State controls the action or inaction of government? It is good, however, to remember here that each year, budget allocations are passed by Parliament and made available to the services concerned to exercise their legal and institutional prerogatives.
On Mòn Kabrit, more than fifteen sites are operated in total anarchy: overloaded trucks that are unsheeted drop sand on the roads, formation of piles of sand on the shoulders of the RN3, obstruction of drainage channels with sand, repeated accidents involving carriers resulting in the unloading of their sand loads on the road etc... Considering the abrasive nature of sand on the asphalt layer, the life of the asphalt surface of RN3 will decrease drastically. And today it is already, painful to see the negative effects of sand on the surface of the RN3 at the base of Mòn Kabrit.
On the site of Mòn Kabrit, operators of sand quarries have dug in an irresponsible and criminal manner at the base of pylon number 97-101, which carries high voltage electricity from the Central Péligre to Port-au-Prince. The electricity pylon bearing the number 100 is threatening to fall at any time. The consequences would be incalculable in terms of loss of life and economic and financial losses.
Following these findings, the CONHANE, ISC and CCIH-Centre think that it is appropriate to launch a double appeal to the competent authorities of the State:
Firstly, a call to responsibility. The consultations made affirm that the operators and carriers are willing to collaborate with the public authority to regulate this situation. Any lack of government action must now be perceived and interpreted as unacceptable, passive and destructive of the environment. The Bureau of Mines and Energy has a duty to rectify as soon as possible the operating licenses under the rules...., to have a permanent presence on the site of Mòn Kabrit, to collect taxes and fees required by law in order to ensure the stabilization of the site, and their redistribution to the surrounding territorial collectivities.
Secondly a call to the adoption and immediate implementation of some coercive and protection measures:
To the west and east of Mòn Kabrit on RN3, two police stations are installed. Clear instructions should be passed to the police service to implement drastic and pre-defined sanctions against those who by their actions violate the norms and principles established and disseminated by the BME.
A sustainable technical solution should be implemented to prevent the collapse of electrical pylons for the protection of lives and goods. The direct operators of the quarries will have to pay penalties to the state for the immediate work to be achieved.
The natural beauty and the aesthetic heritage conservation of the region with stunning views of Port-au-Prince, the plain duf Cul de Sac and of the Lake Azuei should be preserved.
The CONHANE, ISC and CCIH-Centre stated that the rehabilitation of RN3 is a donation made to the Haitian people by the European Union. The RN3 following its rehabilitation has changed considerably the quality of life of thousands of fellow citizens and other users by the increasing of their incomes and the amenities at their disposal. Let's hope a change of behavior more worthy and responsible from the leaders of the country.
(Haiti Libre) -
The Haitian Council of Non State Actors (CONHANE), the Civil Society Initiative (ISC) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Centre joined their forces to fight against the uncontrolled exploitation of sand quarries on «Mòn Kabrit».
For several years operators and carriers, without any control of state services, without legal permits, without respect to any technical standard, without respect for life and without any concern for compliance with environmental and aesthetic criteria, continue to collect sand in this geographical area increasing the risk of causing a profound and irreversible destabilization of the environment. This wild and unregulated exploitation has increased in a tragic way since the rehabilitation of National Road #3 and after the closure of the quarries of sand at Laboule following the earthquake of January 2010.
The CONHANE, ISC and CCIH-Centre have made some technical observations and inquired of the causes and consequences of such a chaotic development:
The Bureau of Mines and Energy (BME) is the only state body designated to assign legal permits for the exploitation of quarrying of sand across the country. However, according to accurate and safe information, operators of Mòn Kabrit receive permits from the City of Thomazeau. Who should enforce the law? Which instance of the state, which power of the State controls the action or inaction of government? It is good, however, to remember here that each year, budget allocations are passed by Parliament and made available to the services concerned to exercise their legal and institutional prerogatives.
On Mòn Kabrit, more than fifteen sites are operated in total anarchy: overloaded trucks that are unsheeted drop sand on the roads, formation of piles of sand on the shoulders of the RN3, obstruction of drainage channels with sand, repeated accidents involving carriers resulting in the unloading of their sand loads on the road etc... Considering the abrasive nature of sand on the asphalt layer, the life of the asphalt surface of RN3 will decrease drastically. And today it is already, painful to see the negative effects of sand on the surface of the RN3 at the base of Mòn Kabrit.
On the site of Mòn Kabrit, operators of sand quarries have dug in an irresponsible and criminal manner at the base of pylon number 97-101, which carries high voltage electricity from the Central Péligre to Port-au-Prince. The electricity pylon bearing the number 100 is threatening to fall at any time. The consequences would be incalculable in terms of loss of life and economic and financial losses.
Following these findings, the CONHANE, ISC and CCIH-Centre think that it is appropriate to launch a double appeal to the competent authorities of the State:
Firstly, a call to responsibility. The consultations made affirm that the operators and carriers are willing to collaborate with the public authority to regulate this situation. Any lack of government action must now be perceived and interpreted as unacceptable, passive and destructive of the environment. The Bureau of Mines and Energy has a duty to rectify as soon as possible the operating licenses under the rules...., to have a permanent presence on the site of Mòn Kabrit, to collect taxes and fees required by law in order to ensure the stabilization of the site, and their redistribution to the surrounding territorial collectivities.
Secondly a call to the adoption and immediate implementation of some coercive and protection measures:
To the west and east of Mòn Kabrit on RN3, two police stations are installed. Clear instructions should be passed to the police service to implement drastic and pre-defined sanctions against those who by their actions violate the norms and principles established and disseminated by the BME.
A sustainable technical solution should be implemented to prevent the collapse of electrical pylons for the protection of lives and goods. The direct operators of the quarries will have to pay penalties to the state for the immediate work to be achieved.
The natural beauty and the aesthetic heritage conservation of the region with stunning views of Port-au-Prince, the plain duf Cul de Sac and of the Lake Azuei should be preserved.
The CONHANE, ISC and CCIH-Centre stated that the rehabilitation of RN3 is a donation made to the Haitian people by the European Union. The RN3 following its rehabilitation has changed considerably the quality of life of thousands of fellow citizens and other users by the increasing of their incomes and the amenities at their disposal. Let's hope a change of behavior more worthy and responsible from the leaders of the country.
ARTICLE - CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR
CARIBBEAN BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
(Cadenagramonte) - By Lino Luben Perez (ACN)
The Haitian, Cuban and Dominican Environment Ministers agreed in 2007 to create a Biological Corridor in the Caribbean to face climate change, which is affecting the whole region, but mostly the Haitian nation.
Representatives from these three countries met once again in Port-au-Prince two years later to carry on with this project, and to finalize the plan of action presented at the Copenhagen Climate Summit, held in the Danish capital, in December of that same year.
From a social viewpoint, they agreed that the establishment of a coherent environmental policy brings about improvements in the living conditions of a territory.
In fact, due to the socioeconomic vulnerability that has been spread for a long span, the Haitian population cut down the woods and used lumber, among other things, as fuel.
Some people believe that this Corridor would look like European green and blue strips that allow differentiating among vegetable areas or rivers that should be preserved.
These spaces lead to continuity among areas, which are characterized by their exceptional biodiversity; or are settled along migration areas of several species.
Unquestionably, the Caribbean environment safeguards immeasurable richness.
Every island in the area, whether large or small, shows significant levels of endemism and therefore, they provide unique habitats for some species.
If this initiative succeeds, which aims at protecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems, the three islands would benefit from this common environmental policy.
Specialists affirm that its implementation is vital considering proximity, which favors the spreading of pollution, the environmental regressions, and the foreseeable consequences of climate change in their ecosystems.
In addition to the protection of the natural environment, this project could take a long stance depending on financial resources.
This Corridor would result in the creation of jobs, as agents for the protection and research bodies.
The main tasks of this initiative comprise reforestation, management of the main ecosystems in coastal areas, quick ecologic assessments, elements for the creation of reserves of the biosphere in Haiti, and studies on exotic invading species in La Española.
Yet, for the time being, there are no concrete actions as to the protection of marine mammals and the creation or better management of protected marine areas.
The last meeting on this issue took place in April, 2010, and the physical location of the program and the selection and modalities for hiring administrative personnel are still under debate.
Currently, 15% of the territories in the Dominican Republic and in Cuba are protected; whereas, in Haiti less than two per cent is under protection.
(Cadenagramonte) - By Lino Luben Perez (ACN)
The Haitian, Cuban and Dominican Environment Ministers agreed in 2007 to create a Biological Corridor in the Caribbean to face climate change, which is affecting the whole region, but mostly the Haitian nation.
Representatives from these three countries met once again in Port-au-Prince two years later to carry on with this project, and to finalize the plan of action presented at the Copenhagen Climate Summit, held in the Danish capital, in December of that same year.
From a social viewpoint, they agreed that the establishment of a coherent environmental policy brings about improvements in the living conditions of a territory.
In fact, due to the socioeconomic vulnerability that has been spread for a long span, the Haitian population cut down the woods and used lumber, among other things, as fuel.
Some people believe that this Corridor would look like European green and blue strips that allow differentiating among vegetable areas or rivers that should be preserved.
These spaces lead to continuity among areas, which are characterized by their exceptional biodiversity; or are settled along migration areas of several species.
Unquestionably, the Caribbean environment safeguards immeasurable richness.
Every island in the area, whether large or small, shows significant levels of endemism and therefore, they provide unique habitats for some species.
If this initiative succeeds, which aims at protecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems, the three islands would benefit from this common environmental policy.
Specialists affirm that its implementation is vital considering proximity, which favors the spreading of pollution, the environmental regressions, and the foreseeable consequences of climate change in their ecosystems.
In addition to the protection of the natural environment, this project could take a long stance depending on financial resources.
This Corridor would result in the creation of jobs, as agents for the protection and research bodies.
The main tasks of this initiative comprise reforestation, management of the main ecosystems in coastal areas, quick ecologic assessments, elements for the creation of reserves of the biosphere in Haiti, and studies on exotic invading species in La Española.
Yet, for the time being, there are no concrete actions as to the protection of marine mammals and the creation or better management of protected marine areas.
The last meeting on this issue took place in April, 2010, and the physical location of the program and the selection and modalities for hiring administrative personnel are still under debate.
Currently, 15% of the territories in the Dominican Republic and in Cuba are protected; whereas, in Haiti less than two per cent is under protection.
ARTICLE - MOLLUSCS AND OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
AFRICA'S MOLLUSC STOCKS AT RUSK FROM OCEAN ACIDIFICATION(Scidev.net) - By Rivonala Razafison
[ANTANANARIVO] - Fishermen in Haiti and some African countries could lose their livelihoods as ocean acidification causes a decline in mollusc populations, a study has found.
Human industrial activities release carbon dioxide, which dissolves in sea water, increasing its acidity. This higher acidity damages the mollusc stocks on which many fishermen in Gambia, Haiti, Madagascar, Mozambique and Senegal rely.
"Laboratory studies show that animals that make hard shells and skeletons out of calcium carbonate minerals have a more difficult time doing so when ocean acidification lowers the carbonate concentration in sea water," said Sarah Cooley of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, United States, the study's lead author.
There is a clear link between increasing ocean acidification and decreasing carbonate production for shells in molluscs such as clams, scallops and conches.
"It takes more energy for these animals to create and maintain calcium carbonate structures, so they have less energy for other important life functions like reproduction, growth and metamorphosis," she added.
The study, published in Fish and Fisheries last month (7 July), says that mollusc fisheries will decline most in poor countries that are already struggling with protein deficiencies.
It assessed countries' vulnerability by looking at their reliance on mollusc fisheries, their capacity for aquaculture and their projected population growth. Aquaculture may help control factors such as acidity levels, helping nations to adapt.
It found that, 10–50 years from now, many developing countries will face smaller mollusc harvests, with the five countries mentioned above to be hit the hardest. This leaves a narrow window of opportunity for policymakers to devise strategies that allow fishermen to continue benefiting from mollusc fisheries.
Molluscs are a high-quality source of protein and exporting them generates income for some developing countries, Cooley said. In Madagascar, for instance, fishing provides seven per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and generates nearly half-a-million jobs, according to 2005 data.
But a combination of nutritional, economic and oceanographic factors, such as protein loss, erosion of income, climate change and ocean acidification, makes these nations particularly vulnerable, Cooley said.
In Madagascar, the effects of ocean acidification and climate change are already being experienced, according to Jean Maharavo, acting director of science at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
"My recent work shows a close correlation between decline in shellfish harvests and environmental decline in the southwestern parts of the island," he told SciDev.Net.
Urgent measures are needed to protect submarine areas and to ensure the sustainability of mollusc stocks, he said, adding that alternatives to mollusc fishing must be found.
Cooley said that, for adaptation to be successful, vulnerable nations must also include pollution, overfishing and climate change in their plans.
[ANTANANARIVO] - Fishermen in Haiti and some African countries could lose their livelihoods as ocean acidification causes a decline in mollusc populations, a study has found.
Human industrial activities release carbon dioxide, which dissolves in sea water, increasing its acidity. This higher acidity damages the mollusc stocks on which many fishermen in Gambia, Haiti, Madagascar, Mozambique and Senegal rely.
"Laboratory studies show that animals that make hard shells and skeletons out of calcium carbonate minerals have a more difficult time doing so when ocean acidification lowers the carbonate concentration in sea water," said Sarah Cooley of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, United States, the study's lead author.
There is a clear link between increasing ocean acidification and decreasing carbonate production for shells in molluscs such as clams, scallops and conches.
"It takes more energy for these animals to create and maintain calcium carbonate structures, so they have less energy for other important life functions like reproduction, growth and metamorphosis," she added.
The study, published in Fish and Fisheries last month (7 July), says that mollusc fisheries will decline most in poor countries that are already struggling with protein deficiencies.
It assessed countries' vulnerability by looking at their reliance on mollusc fisheries, their capacity for aquaculture and their projected population growth. Aquaculture may help control factors such as acidity levels, helping nations to adapt.
It found that, 10–50 years from now, many developing countries will face smaller mollusc harvests, with the five countries mentioned above to be hit the hardest. This leaves a narrow window of opportunity for policymakers to devise strategies that allow fishermen to continue benefiting from mollusc fisheries.
Molluscs are a high-quality source of protein and exporting them generates income for some developing countries, Cooley said. In Madagascar, for instance, fishing provides seven per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and generates nearly half-a-million jobs, according to 2005 data.
But a combination of nutritional, economic and oceanographic factors, such as protein loss, erosion of income, climate change and ocean acidification, makes these nations particularly vulnerable, Cooley said.
In Madagascar, the effects of ocean acidification and climate change are already being experienced, according to Jean Maharavo, acting director of science at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
"My recent work shows a close correlation between decline in shellfish harvests and environmental decline in the southwestern parts of the island," he told SciDev.Net.
Urgent measures are needed to protect submarine areas and to ensure the sustainability of mollusc stocks, he said, adding that alternatives to mollusc fishing must be found.
Cooley said that, for adaptation to be successful, vulnerable nations must also include pollution, overfishing and climate change in their plans.
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