During the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the Angolan environmental organization Otchiva, represented by its executive director Danilson Lunguenda, raised concerns about the lack of specific legislation dedicated to the protection of mangroves in Angola — ecosystems that are vital for marine biodiversity and for combating climate change.
Although Angola has environmental and biodiversity laws in place, no legal framework currently exists that focuses exclusively on mangrove protection. Otchiva views this legislative gap as a serious risk to the conservation of these wetlands, which, despite their recognized importance, continue to face degradation.
“We have the Environmental Framework Law, we have the Biodiversity Law, but we still don’t have a specific law for the protection of mangroves. This is one of our main goals,” the biologist emphasized.
Active since 2017, Otchiva has been carrying out environmental awareness campaigns, reforestation projects, and ecosystem cleanups. The organization considers mangroves to be “the nursery and maternity ward of marine life,” noting that “around 80% of commercially important species in tropical regions reproduce in mangroves or spend part of their life cycle there.”
Mangroves are mainly threatened by plastic pollution, predatory fishing, and construction in sensitive coastal areas. Angola has about 1,650 kilometers of coastline, of which 50% to 60% is covered by mangroves, stretching from Cabinda to Benguela. Despite this, institutional response still largely relies on civil society mobilization.
Mangroves also play a key role in fighting climate change, as they are extremely efficient at carbon sequestration. “Mangrove forests absorb and store up to ten times more carbon dioxide than other forests,” Lunguenda highlighted.
Otchiva has adopted an inclusive approach, engaging local communities, volunteers, schools, and political representatives in reforestation and education initiatives. “The issue of mangroves is now considered of national and even international interest. But in Angola, in particular, the government, academia, public and private institutions, students, and local communities must work together,” he said.
For Danilson Lunguenda, only a dedicated mangrove protection law can ensure their effective preservation and secure the benefits these ecosystems provide to coastal communities, the fishing economy, and the environment.
Source: RFI
