The Project entitled “Addressing land-based 0ctivities in the Western Indian Ocean” (shortly referred to as “WIO-LaB”) addresses some of the major environmental problems and issues related to the degradation of the marine and coastal environment due to land-based activities in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. The project is designed to serve as a demonstration project for the UNEP’s Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA/LBA).