The PUMPSEA website has been online since July 1st 2005 in order to provide you with information on the PUMPSEA project and also to keep you updated on recent developments in its research and management activities.

The PUMPSEA project started in February 1st 2005 and will last 3 years. The project is funded by the European Commission through its 6th Framework Programme, being classified as ?Specific Measures in Support of International Co-operation with Developing Countries?.

The main goal of the project is to use mangroves as phytoremediators in order to create a new technology for wastewater treatment in East Africa. The project will assess how mangroves react to controlled dosages of sewage and will develop an Environmental Impact Assessment of a trial infrastructure. The project will also elaborate an implementation plan to help decision-makers using this technology within their governance frameworks.

The project will be executed by an international, European and African, and multidisciplinary team involving 12 partner institutions and 4 subcontractors from 9 countries (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Mozambique, Portugal, Tanzania and Sweden); people working in the project have backgrounds so different as Biology, Environmental Management, Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Socio-economics and Environmental Governance.

With this assemblage of diverse experiences we hope to contribute to a healthier and safer coastal environment in East Africa.

Greetings,
José Guerreiro
PUMPSEA project coordinator