How Ocean acidification threatens Benin’s coastline and communities

Benin’s coastline, rich in biodiversity and vital to local livelihoods, is under siege from ocean acidification. Josea S. Dossou-Bodjrenou, CEO of Nature Tropicale, warns that escalating acid levels threaten marine life, fisheries, and the communities dependent on them.

Benin, a small yet diverse country on West Africa’s coastline, is facing an escalating environmental crisis: Ocean acidification. This phenomenon, triggered by rising carbon dioxide levels, threatens marine biodiversity, coastal economies, and local traditions. One organisation at the forefront of the conservation fight in Benin is Nature Tropicale ONG, a partner of the African Biodiversity Network and a non-profit committed to biodiversity preservation and environmental education. Since its inception in 1995, Nature Tropicale has promoted sustainable resource use, working closely with communities to build resilience against environmental challenges, particularly those impacting Benin’s vulnerable coastal ecosystems. As the planet’s carbon footprint grows, Nature Tropicale highlights that Benin’s seas are under unprecedented strain, underscoring the need for urgent, comprehensive action.

What is Ocean acidification?
Ocean acidification occurs as Oceans absorb roughly 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by human activities, primarily fossil fuel combustion. This CO₂ reacts with seawater, forming carbonic acid and lowering the Ocean’s pH. Since the late 1980s, approximately 95% of the open Ocean’s surface waters have become more acidic, severely impacting marine life. Acidic waters interfere with the ability of marine organisms, including corals, molluscs, and plankton, to produce and maintain their calcium carbonate structures, endangering essential biodiversity and fisheries. This trend, spurred by global CO₂ levels nearly 50% higher than pre-industrial averages, shows little sign of slowing.

Benin’s coastal ecosystems are rich and vulnerable
Benin’s coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, and fisheries, are vital for biodiversity and community livelihoods. Mangroves, often called “blue carbon” ecosystems, store carbon efficiently, stabilise shorelines, and support diverse marine and bird species. Coral reefs, another cornerstone of marine biodiversity, draw in tourists and support fish populations critical for local fisheries. These ecosystems serve as natural defences against coastal erosion and storms, and their biodiversity offers promising avenues for sustainable ecotourism, which could aid the nation’s economy.

However, Ocean acidification, alongside rising sea levels, threatens the stability of these ecosystems. As seawater becomes increasingly acidic, coral reefs suffer from weakened skeletal structures, reducing their resilience against environmental stressors like bleaching and disease. This degradation leads to reduced biodiversity, affecting fish populations that depend on these habitats for breeding, which in turn destabilises local fisheries. For a country where fishing is a primary source of food and income, these changes carry serious economic repercussions.

Impact of Ocean acidification on Benin’s marine ecosystems
Ocean acidification disrupts marine organisms’ abilities to grow and thrive. Corals struggle to form robust skeletons, which weakens the entire reef ecosystem and endangers species that rely on these reefs. Shellfish, including oysters and scallops, find it increasingly difficult to develop their shells in acidic waters, leading to higher mortality rates and compromised reproductive success. Similarly, crustaceans like crabs and lobsters are vulnerable, as acidic conditions make their shells fragile, affecting both their growth and survival.

At the microscopic level, acidification impacts phytoplankton and zooplankton, which are foundational to marine food webs. These organisms form the basis of the food chain; their decline can reverberate up to fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. Eventually, reaching human populations dependent on these resources. In Benin, the reduced biodiversity poses direct threats to food sovereignty and the coastal communities reliant on marine resources.

Economic and social consequences
The economic and social implications of Ocean acidification in Benin are considerable. Fisheries form the backbone of coastal livelihoods, providing food, income, and cultural ties for many communities.

However, as fish stocks dwindle, fishers are likely to face reduced catches, leading to income loss and potentially driving families into poverty. Moreover, ecotourism—specifically diving and marine wildlife observation—is likely to suffer if coral reefs degrade further, undermining a growing source of national revenue.

Reduced access to marine resources could prompt coastal communities to migrate in search of new opportunities, placing pressure on urban areas. Displaced families may face hardships as they adapt to new environments, creating social tensions and economic challenges. Additionally, the loss of traditional fishing practices could lead to a disconnection from cultural heritage, diminishing the identity and cohesion of coastal communities.

Nature Tropicale’s efforts in Ocean conservation
Nature Tropicale ONG has been instrumental in addressing the environmental issues affecting Benin’s coastline. Through education and advocacy, they engage communities on the dangers of Ocean acidification and the importance of sustainable practices. Their efforts include hosting workshops and campaigns that inform locals about acidification’s impact on marine biodiversity, especially species like turtles, whales, and fish, which are vital to the coastal ecosystem.

The organisation collaborates with governmental bodies and international partners to drive conservation policies. Nature Tropicale supports research initiatives aimed at documenting the extent of acidification’s impact on Benin’s waters, thereby generating data crucial for effective policy-making. Local participation is also a cornerstone of their work, as Nature Tropicale involves communities in conservation, training fishers in sustainable practices and introducing alternative livelihoods.

To mitigate the impact of ocean acidification on Benin’s marine ecosystems, a multi-faceted approach is essential such as strengthening scientific research in collaboration with the local communities; deepen education and awareness campaigns; strengthen protection of coastal ecosystems; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to renewable energy sources; improve policy integration and regional cooperation and supporting community adaptation to promoting sustainable aquaculture and alternative livelihoods to buffer economic losses. Deepening such initiatives could contribute to resilient communities and sustainable future for all who depend on the Ocean for their livelihoods.