Stakeholders discuss proposals to control coastal erosion and flooding |16 March 2022
Minister Joubert launching the workshop (Photo: Thomas Meriton)
Representative from ministries, agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foreign donors met on Monday to discuss proposals to control erosion and flooding along the coast.
The validation stakeholders’ workshop for the proposed coastal defence and adaptation solutionsto control erosion and flooding on the coastline of five sites in the country took place at the International Conference Centre (ICCS).
The workshop follows two studies that were held in one and a half years – between 2020 and 2021 – to understand the root cause of coastal erosion and flooding at Beau Vallon and at Au Cap on Mahé and at Anse Kerlan, Côte D’Or and Grand Anse-Amitié on Praslin, including cost of financing for solutions.
The study on coastal modelling and assessment of potential solutions for coastal defence and adaptation measures at the priority sites and the financial roadmap for coastal management and adaptation for the country, funded by the World Bank, are intended to help our country implement its Coastal Management Plan (2019-2024) which was developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) with the support and guidance of the World Bank.
The survey was undertaken by New Zealand based company eCOAST, in close partnership with local consultants Helena Sims, Dr Jude Bijoux and Dr Nirmal Jivan Shah, representatives from MACCE, the Ministry of Local Government and other stakeholders.
The aim of the one day stakeholders’ workshop was to present the results and recommendations of the two studies undertaken further to their inputs and suggestions.
The workshop was facilitated by Coastal Defence and Adaptation Solutions consultant Didier Dogley, and by the eCOAST consultants, led virtually by Josee Borrero.
Among the interventions that could be used to reduce and control erosion and flooding caused by wave energy in the designated coastline areas on Mahé and Praslin include erecting man-made hard structures like sea walls, groynes, breakwaters, submerged breakwaters (artificial reefs) and revetments, through the 'blue barriers' concept which involves the use of non-toxic materials, and beach nourishment, sediment by passing and dune management.
In his opening remarks, the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, stated that, often in the past, with limited resources and human capacity, forced decisions were about coastal protection without access to the kind of information to guide towards the most sustainable long-term solutions that also takes into account the future climate impacts such as sea level rise and storm surges.
Minister Joubert noted his ministry’s appreciation that the study has contributed to the development of the ‘Blue Barrier’, a hybrid coastal protection and coral reef restoration concept that aims to leverage private sector financing for coastal management.
He thanked the World Bank for its support in quantifying the existing financing gap and for identifying and analysing suitable financial opportunities.
The proposed solutions to reduce wave energy to prevent erosion, over toppling and flooding includes the construction of either a submerged offshore break waters (artificial reef) or rock revetment (rock armouring) for the Beau Vallon beach area, an offshore or near shore segmented breakwaters, a submerged offshore break waters (artificial reef), the setting up of lots of small break waters along the coast or rock revetment for Au Cap on Mahé and on Praslin, rock revetment, submerged offshore break waters (artificial reef), or redistribution of sand for the Grand Anse-Amitié and a submerged offshore and inshore break waters (artificial reef) for the western part of Côte D’Or.
With regard to Anse Kerlan, it has been found to have been overbuilt with the many solid structures in place, enough to control erosion and flooding in the area for the time being.
According to Annie Simeon, principal climate adaptation officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, the recommendation from the stakeholders on the ideal environmental based solutions for the five areas will be further brought to the authority for consideration.
She said there are eighteen areas around the country on the intervention list in the action plan and that five have been prioritised as most urgent.
She noted that with more available funding, the rest of the areas being affected by erosion and flooding will be tackled.
She added that as the structures to be implemented cost between US $1 million to US $10 million, this is the reason why help is being sought from foreign donors, in addition to what the government allocates in the budget.
Patrick Joubert
Caption:
eCOAST consultant Josee Borrero addressing the workshop participants virtually (Photo: Thomas Meriton)
Minister Joubert launching the workshop (Photo: Thomas Meriton)
