8
october 2004 - A coalition of the several local and international organisations
and scientists, backed by thousands of concerned citizens worldwide, managed
to stop a proposed shipbreaking project on the beautiful Bolama beach
in Guinea Bissau (West Africa). The beach is part of the Bijagos Archipelagos,
classified as a Biosphere Reserve by United Nations (Unesco). The contract
on shipbreaking that had been signed by the Spanish company "DDY
de commercio exterior SA" and the government of Guinea Bissau has
now expired!
In 2003, the "International Coalition of Friends of Guinea Bissau"
consisting of 9 NGOs, coordinated by Greenpeace, gave support to the local
coalition in Guinea Bissau to stop a planned shipbreaking activity in
Bolama Beach. Over twelvethousand people expressed their concern and sent
e-mails to the United Nations (UNESCO).
Because of the international support, the local coalition felt empowered
to raise their concerns. The local coalition stood up against a project
that would bring pollution and health risks for the people of Guinea Bissau
instead of sustainable growth to the unique nature area.
The international initiative also helped to alert the whole region to
the dangers of shipbreaking. A regional network on establishing natures
reserves in Mauretania, Guinee-Conakry, Guinee-Bissau, Senegal, Gambia
en Cabo Verde was established. This network will keep an eye on future
plans for shipbreaking in the West-African countries.
As long as clean shipbreaking is not made mandatory for shipowners worldwide,
dirty and unsafe shipbreaking plans can continue to pop up, especially
in regions where people and the nature are least protected. Greenpeace
will continue to fight for a legal system for clean shipbreaking.
Remarkable ships Pacific Princess ('Love Boat') is on the Greenpeace list. More remarkable ships...
Are you connected to the shipping industry, a shipspotter, a harbourmaster, a crew member or in any other way able to localize the positions of ships? We need your help!
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8
october 2004 - A coalition of the several local and international organisations
and scientists, backed by thousands of concerned citizens worldwide, managed
to stop a proposed shipbreaking project on the beautiful Bolama beach
in Guinea Bissau (West Africa). The beach is part of the Bijagos Archipelagos,
classified as a Biosphere Reserve by United Nations (Unesco). The contract
on shipbreaking that had been signed by the Spanish company "DDY
de commercio exterior SA" and the government of Guinea Bissau has
now expired!