Lake Niassa. Photo retrieved from: www.considerafrica.com
“The Government of Mozambique has also approved the proposal for the designation of Lake Niassa as a Ramsar site, including not only the reserve, but surrounding wetlands and watershed. This wetland will be the second Ramsar site for Mozambique after the declaration of Marromeu Complex in 2003.
Lake Niassa, spanning 3,369,776 acres and almost 2,300 feet deep is Mozambique’s part of the third largest and the second deepest lake in Africa.
“Globally, Lake Niassa is exceptional. Ninety-nine percent of the freshwater fish species that inhabit its waters only occur within this lake — scientists estimate that up to 1,000 freshwater fish species will eventually be described; a total that would equal more than the number of fish species found in all of the United States and Canada,” said Michele Thieme, WWF-US Freshwater Conservation Biologist.
Through collaboration of the Government of Mozambique (Ministries of Tourism, Fisheries, Environment and Defense, the Niassa Provincial Government), USAID, The Coca-Cola Company and WWF, village level mechanisms for monitoring illegal and overfishing, erosion and deforestation, managing fisheries, and mitigating the impacts of climate change were developed. Zones were created that will allow for total protection of species in some areas, seasonal protection in others, depending on spawning times and dedicated artisanal fishing areas.”
Read more: PR Web
goodmorning,
have a look on my website: http://www.fredhoogervorst.com
with pictures of the mozambican part of Lake Niassa.
With kind regards,
Fred Hoogervorst, Photographer
Trinidad and Tobago
The news that Coca Cola is involved is terrible. This should not be seen as philanthropic, but, rather, jockeying for control of another huge source of fresh water. Mark my words. Interesting that USAID is also involved – just another tool of US business, of which Coke is a prominent member.