13/07/2005 WWF has recognized
the creation of five new Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs) by the government and local communities
of Senegal as a Gift to the Earth, the global
conservation organization's highest accolade
for significant conservation achievements.
The establishment of a network of MPAs off
the Senegalese coast covering a total area
of 82,500ha is crucial for the protection
of fish spawning grounds and stock recovery.
Nearly 700 fish species have been recorded
in Senegal's waters, together with 20 cetaceans
and five marine turtle species.
We welcome this historic and visionary act
made by local communities and the government
of Senegal for future generations, declared
Dr Claude Martin, Director General of WWF
International, who attended the ceremony in
Senegal.
"We also look to Senegal to continue
its leadership in marine resource managmenet
and to work with other countries in the region
to develop more sustainable fisheries agreements."
Over the past few years, local communities
have been working with the Senegalese government
to ensure the protection of the country's
marine and coastal resources, which are being
threatened by overfishing, illegal catches,
and the destruction of spawning grounds
According to WWF, the quantity of commercially-valued
fish caught in Senegal's territorial waters
has decreased by more than 80 per cent since
the 1950s. These are worrying statistics as
the fishing industry makes up a fourth of
Senegal's national budget, creates numerous
jobs, and constitutes an important source
of protein for coastal and inland populations.
The establishment of the five MPAs represents
a benchmark for the regional programme for
the protection of coastal and marine resources
(PRCM), which was catalyzed through a partnership
between WWF, IUCN, the International Foundation
for the Banc d'Arguin, Wetlands International,
and the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission
for the safeguard of the regions marine resources
and benefit of local fishermen.
"It is a new hope for Senegalese fishermen,"
said Papa Samba Diouf, Coordinator of WWF's
Western Africa Marine Ecoregion Programme.
"The MPAs are essential to a sustainable
management of fishing areas, especially when
resources are already strongly exploited in
Senegal. We hope that the creation of the
new reserves will be a model for the creation
of others in Senegal and in the sub-region.
During the event, Senegalese President Abdoulaye
Wade pledged to create 1015 new MPAs in his
country, as well as establish two transboundary
MPAs with neighbouring Mauritania and The
Gambia.
Representatives from The Gambia committed
to establishing a further two MPAs, as well
as Cape Verde, which said it was also committed
to the establishment of a biosphere reserve.
Guinea Bissau committed to one new MPA to
be established by 2007.
END NOTES:
At the fifth World Parks Congress in September
2003, the government of Senegal declared its
intention to create five new marine protected
areas. This declaration of intent was honoured
one year later through a government decree.
The five MPAs consist of the St Louis,
Kayar, Joal-Fadiouth, Abéné,
and Bamboung Marine Protected Areas.
The Western African Marine Ecoregion (WAMER)
covers the Cape Verde Islands, The Gambia,
Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Senegal.
One of WWF's objective in this area is to
improve the conservation status of marine
turtles in West Africa by preserving marine
turtle hotspots, improving knowledge on marine
turtles species, and stengthening sub-regional
collaboration.
