An overview of the large marine ecosystem programs at work in Africa today

•BBC the world’s first LME-based institution has successfully operationalized EBM in the BCLME.•BCC is fully functional with a Secretariat, scientific, advisory and technical structures.•It is a model of success for management of transboundary marine and inland aquatic shared resources in SSA.

This paper highlights the efforts of four African Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) (Agulhas and Somali, Benguela, Canary and Guinea Current LME) Programs, which are in various stages of implementation across the continent are making in adapting and integrating the LME approach into diagnostic and strategic documents required by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and using these documents to restore and manage the LMEs. The African LMEs are some of the most productive in the world and are shared by 33 coastal states and 600 million people. The total economic value of environmental goods and services from these LMEs is estimated at US$139 billion per year; while the total production of capture fisheries in 2013 was 5698 million tonnes. Countries sharing each LME have adopted a phased approach and systematic process in applying the LME approach. Strategically important advancements are being made by the Programs in regional policy and institutional harmonization, science and capacity building through the implementation of science projects, the conduct of environmental monitoring and offshore research cruises; economic valuation of the goods and services in the respective LMEs and training scientists and technicians on the key transboundary concerns. The Benguela Current Commission, the world’s first LME-based institution was established by treaty and is functional. Institutional arrangements also exist for the GCLME and ASCLME. While limited in scope, the outputs serve to sensitize, engender confidence, strengthen capacity and empower stakeholders about the importance of the LMEs and the need to promote coordinated and integrated approach in their management.