GEF GRANT: US$11 million
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project will help to catalyze and coordinate support to protect the significant marine and coastal resources of the western Indian Ocean region. It will prevent ship-based environmental contamination, such as oil spills from groundings and illegal discharges of ballast and bilge waters, and strengthen the capacity of countries to respond to oil or chemical spill emergencies in the region. There will be a focus on Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania to reduce risks of environmental damage to beaches, fishing grounds, and other domestic resources from oil or chemical spills.