Future of Bolama Beach possibly decided after elections in Guinea-Bissau
6
August 2003 - It looks like a decision on the planned shipbreaking yard
at the unspoilt coastline of Bolama Beach in Guinea Bissau (West Africa)
will only be taken after the elections in September 2003.
The Spanish company 'DDY DE COMERCIO EXTERIOR SA' has plans to break
old and toxic ships at Bolama Beach. This will put the environment and
the lives of the local people at serious risk. Joining a Greenpeace cyberaction,
thousands of people sent e-mails to the United Nations (UNESCO). As a
result of this action UNESCO decided to send an investigative mission
to Bolama. Also the UN expressed their concern about the shipbreaking
plans.
Bolama is an important island of the unique Bijagos Archipelagos. In
1996 classified the archipelago as a Biosphere Reserve. It's known for
its great diversity of wildlife, including sea cows, hippopotamus, otters,
sea turtles, salt-water crocodiles and 700 000 migratory birds. A planned
shipbreaking yard will bring oil and hazardous materials like asbestos
to Guinea Bissau.
The exact date for the elections has not been set yet. Greenpeace will
closely monitor the situation at the unique Bolama Beach.
Remarkable ships Pacific Princess ('Love Boat') is on the Greenpeace list. More remarkable ships...
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6
August 2003 - It looks like a decision on the planned shipbreaking yard
at the unspoilt coastline of Bolama Beach in Guinea Bissau (West Africa)
will only be taken after the elections in September 2003. 