Ahmed Senhoury, Charlotte Karibuhoye, Samba Alassane, Mika ...€¦ · The project portfolio was...

The PRCM wishes to thank all of the financial partners who lent their support to its 2004-2007 phase,especially: the Embassy of the Netherlands in Dakar, the MAVA Foundation, the Spanish Agency forInternational Cooperation.

D r a f t i n g G r o u pAhmed Senhoury, Director, PRCMBarthélémy Jean Auguste Batieno, Programme Officer for Monitoring and Evaluation, Coordination Unit, PRCMCharlotte Karibuhoye, Programme Officer for Marine Protected Areas, FIBASamba Alassane, Coordinator of the Prospective Review project, FIBAMika Diop, FIBA Coordinator of the Shark Conservation project, FIBA/ CSRPPhilippe Tous, CSRPMathieu Ducrocq, IUCNAboubakry Kane, Coordinator of the Saloum Delta ecotourism project, IUCN SénégalPierre Campredon, IUCN Advisor, Guinea BissauPaul Siegel, WWF/WAMERIbrahima Niamadio, Programme Officer WWF/WAMER

P h o t o s C r e d i t sJean-François Hellio & Nicolas Van Ingen [www.hellio-vaningen.fr]

D e s i g nBy Reg’ [[email protected]]

All correspondence regarding the programme should be addressedto the PRCM Coordination Unit at:[email protected]

For the latest information, visit the PRCM website www.prcmarine.org

4 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] Contents

Abbreviations & acronyms 5

Foreward 7

Introduction 9

1. The process to establish the PRCM 10

1.1. Background 10

1.2. Assessment of the establishment process and lessons learned 12

2. The PRCM’s governance mechanisms 14

2.1. Introduction to the governing and governance bodies 14

2.2. Assessment of governance mechanisms and lessons learned 16

3. Outcomes of the first phase 18

4. Lessons from the first phase 23

5. The added value of the coalition of partners 26

6. Conclusions 28

AppendicesAppendix 1 :Opinions of forum participants about the PRCM and its functions 31

Appendix 2 :Results of the support for the establishment and co-management of MPAs 32

Appendix 3 :Results of the species and habitat conservation component 42

Appendix 4 :Results of the fisheries management component 48

Appendix 5 :Results of the sustainable tourism component 54

Appendix 6 :Results of the oil and habitat quality component 56

Appendix 7 :Results of the research component 60

ABBREVIATIONS & ACCRONYMS

BIOMAC Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Network

CSRP Sub-regional Fisheries Commission

CU Coordination Unit

FIBA International Foundation for the Banc d'Arguin

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature

MPA Marine Protected Area

NGO Non-governmental Organisation

PNBA Banc d'Arguin National Park

RAMPAO West African Marine Protected Areas Network

SC Steering Committee

STC Scientific and Technical Committee

WAMER West African Marine Eco-region

WI Wetlands International

WWF World Wildlife Fund For nature

A island tree in Sine Saloum / Senegal

Foreward PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 7

F o r e w a r d

By virtue of its human dimension, the number of institutions comprising it and theissues it deals with, the PRCM is a truly challenging endeavour. While the coastalzone holds great potential for development, it is now facing more acute threats and

greater pressures than ever before, and its inhabitants will only be able to rise to this challenge ifthey join forces and skills to work together on the basis of a shared vision. This is the ventureembarked upon by a group of some fifty institutions that currently make up the PRCM coalition.

At the end of its first four-year phase, the Programme is pleased to present hereinafter a summaryassessment of its achievements. In the light of these achievements, the PRCM stands out as aninnovative initiative which has shown its ability to adapt to obstacles as they arise, using anapproach based on dialogue, exchange and collective creativity. This approach has received thesupport of the governments of the seven West African countries encompassed by the PRCM, aswell as that of those longstanding donors funding coastal conservation in West Africa, theNetherlands and the MAVA Foundation, later joined by France and Spain, all of whom agreed totake a share of the risks.

As natural resource levels slide downward and ecosystem services deteriorate, the issue ofconservation in West Africa becomes an acute one. Indeed, perhaps more than on any othercontinent, natural resources are the very bedrock of West African development and a secure futurefor its human populations. This situation, which is also overshadowed by the threat of climatechange, has become a source of conflict, and political leaders are increasingly limited in theirsearch for alternatives: what is to become of West Africa's small-scale fishers as fish stocksdwindle and fuel costs mount? Will they have no choice but to become illegal immigrants seekingan elusive eldorado?

An ever greater number of international companies are showing a keen interest in Africa's naturaland mineral resources, from Mauritanian oil to Guinean bauxite, not forgetting mass tourism inthe Cape Verde islands. While this interest represents development opportunities for theseresource-rich countries, one can wonder what legacy it will leave behind for futuregenerations who will be forced to stay on.

The PRCM was set up precisely to seek answers to these questions - to build, togetherwith the members in the region, a system of environmental governance for the coastaland marine zone. It is an initiative borne by women and men who have devoted theirprofessional lives to this work and who share the dream of a better world, an initiativewhich offers a tremendous message of hope.

Ahmed Senhoury,Director of the PRCM

Fishermen in a dugout / Cape Verde

Gathering the limicolous ones on the island of Niroumi to thepassage of a lanche of fishermen Imraguen / Mauritania

Pink Flemish flight in Saloum / Senegal

Mangroves of the river Rio Cacheu / Guinea Bissau

Introduction PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 9

The Regional Coastal and Marine Conservation

Programme for West Africa - PRCM grew out of the

combined determination of several organisations that

arrived at several shared observations at the end of

the 20th century. The impacts of human activities

along the coast were reaching alarming proportions, yet in the

countries which were to become part of the PRCM1, the coastal zone

is precisely the most crucial area for guaranteeing human

development. The connectedness of natural processes in marine

ecosystems should lead naturally to a regional approach to natural

resource and biodiversity planning and management, and the States

involved were in fact separately identifying similar pressing

conservation issues. At the same time, the international non-

governmental organisations active in the region were recognising the

need to work together to set priorities for action within a perspective

emphasizing the overall coherence of action and effectiveness in

influencing policy. As all of these factors converged, following the

course of history as it negotiated the curve into globalisation, it was

a logical step for marine and coastal conservation bodies to join

forces to create the PRCM.

I n t r o d u c t i o n

1 Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde

10 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] The process to establish the PRCM

Before 1997, coastal zone conservation effortsin West Africa were limited to a few marineprotected areas and a scattered handful ofprojects. That year, as the need for a morecoordinated approach became clear, IUCN,through its three national offices in WestAfrica, assisted in the establishment of theRegional Coastal Planning Network(RESOCOTAO). Designed as a network ofexpertise, RESOCOTAO suggested a number ofavenues for action which prefigured the PRCM,one in particular being the need to deal withregional issues. The idea of a regional actionplan for shark conservation was born at thattime and is today still a flagship project of theSub-regional Fisheries Commission - CSRP. Inthis respect, RESOCOTAO can be seen as theseed which grew into the PRCM.In the year 2000, a workshop entitled«Conservation priorities in the West Africancoastal zone» was held in St. Louis, Senegal.

Those who took part in this workshop werestruck by the strong similarities between thepriorities set out by representatives of differentcountries, not least of which were theestablishment of marine protected areas(MPAs), sustainable management of fisheriesresources, and biodiversity and mangroveconservation. It was during this workshop thatthe principle of collaboration betweeninternational conservation organisations wasagreed; this was to be formalised soonthereafter by the signing of a Memorandum ofUnderstanding and Partnership by theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN), the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF),the International Foundation for the Bancd'Arguin (FIBA) and, a few months later, byWetlands International. The memorandum wasaccompanied by a declaration signed by theDirectors General of the four organizations, inwhich they officially gave their support to theprocess.The first regional workshop2, which laid thecornerstone of the future PRCM, was held inNouakchott in February, 2002. It took as itstheme « Marine Protected Areas in West Africa:enhancing their benefits for fisheries andbiodiversity». The strategy which emerged fromthe workshop tied together the essentialelements of a shared vision illustrating thevery specific approach adopted by this regionin dealing with conservation issues: the keyrole played by local communities, participatorygovernance, the indissociable link between thecultural dimension and the environment, thedirect relationship between conservation andfisheries, the need for strong institutions. Theregional strategy was submitted to Ministers ofthe Environment and Ministers of Fisheries in

1.1. Background

Beach at Boa Vista / Cape Verde

2 The word « regional » is used here for convenience but actually refers to the administrative « sub-region » encompassing the PRCM countries.Similarly, the term «West Africa» refers to the same group of countries and is used for the sake of simplicity.

The process to establish the PRCM PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 11

the countries involved, who gave theirapproval by signing a General PolicyDeclaration in which they expressed theircommitment to supporting not only the aimsof the strategy but also the PRCM initiative asa whole.A Programme Officer was recruited to run thetemporary Secretariat of the Programme fromIUCN's office in Mauritania, thus lighteningthe burden of the Executive Secretary of FIBA,who had been spending half of his workingtime since 2001 on the establishment of thePRCM. In the course of 2002, severalworkshops were held on a variety of subjects:Co-management of MPAs, Transnationalfisheries, Prospective stock-taking review ofthe coastal environment, Sea turtles, Sharks,Communication. The information collectedthrough these workshops provided an overallpicture of initiatives already underway andwas used to set priorities for action on aregional scale. Another outcome of theworkshops was the decision to cluster theindividual initiatives in thematic componentswhich together form the content of the PRCMprogramme. The actual exercise of assigning initiatives tothe components took place at the regionalworkshop held in Bissau at the end of 2002,which validated the Programme'sconfiguration with the following over-archingaim: «The natural resources and biological andcultural diversity of the West African coastaland marine zone are conserved and managedso as to guarantee the future of humansocieties». The specific aim «The biological and culturaldiversity and the integrity of West Africanmarine and coastal ecosystems are better

preserved and managed through concertedinitiatives put forward by a broad regionalpartnership» required that the Programme beorganised around six Components:

• Support for the establishmentand enhancement of MPAs

• Species and habitat conservationand management

• Management of fisheries resources• Contribution of MPAs to the development

of ecotourism• Scientific research• Communication

The project portfolio was subsequentlypresented at a regional workshop held in Dakarin June, 2003 which convened theProgramme's technical and financial partnersfor the first time, thus marking the officiallaunch of the PRCM. At this workshop, aMemorandum of Understanding andCooperation was signed with the PermanentSecretariat of the CSRP, which comprises thesame countries as the PRCM. TheMemorandum reflects the commitment ofStates to marine conservation and representsthe necessary linkage between the Programmeand government policies and theharmonisation of these policies at regionallevel. The Dakar workshop was also used tosurvey the institutions involved regarding theirexpectations of the PRCM: 38% of participantssaw it as a framework for promoting synergy,coordination and networks, 33% said it wasprimarily an instrument for informationsharing, and the rest mentioned support foractivities, capacity building and harmonisationof countries' national policies.

12 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] The process to establish the PRCM

The last World Parks Congress, an event whichtakes place every 10 years, and most recentlyin Durban in late 2003, was perfectly timed toshowcase the new PRCM at an internationalforum, especially since the African continentand the marine environment had been chosenas the special themes of the Congress. Thehighlight of the events in Durban was theannouncement made by the President of theMAVA Foundation, Dr Luc Hoffmann, of theFoundation's pledge to donate 1 million eurosper year for the five years of the PRCM's firstphase. A few months later, the Embassy of theNetherlands in Dakar announced it wouldcontribute 2 million euros yearly to theprogramme, to be paid into a basket fund. ThePRCM Steering Committee, which had alreadymet four times thus far (see below) decided byconsensus to allocate the budget to a group ofprojects, enabling the programme to getunderway at the beginning of 2004.

The programme was not created in a vacuum,nor did it spring from the will of a fewindividuals. On the contrary, it is the naturaland logical evolution of a process begun in1997 with the Coastal Planning Network, aprocess which took seven years to becomeoperational. The PRCM is the culmination of ajourney shared by the institutions andindividuals who have carried it forward andwho have known each other for a long time: itis therefore built on solid and firmly anchoredfoundations. The human dimension of theProgramme is critical, and it is largely thanksto this dimension that the hurdles whichinevitably beset such undertakings have beenovercome. Today, 2/3 of those who took part ininitiating RESOCOTAO hold high-levelpositions involving responsibility for thecoastal zone. The donors who made the PRCM possible, theNetherlands Embassy and the MAVAFoundation in particular, have also beeninvolved in this process since the outset,funding coastal conservation activities oversome 15 years; they are the linchpin of thisremarkably fruitful and solid partnership. The process has also evolved against abackdrop of international trends which havetouched Africa and provided added incentive:the emphasis on science as the basis for betterunderstanding natural phenomena,international recommendations on the need foreco-regional approaches, the MilleniumDevelopment Goals, information andcommunications technologies, etc.Gathering some 40 institutions from sixcountries together to form a regionalprogramme with one shared vision requires amajor collective effort. It entails not onlyaccepting new paradigms and changes in thescale on which issues are approached, but alsonew models of operating and relating.Bringing together a scattered group of wagonsand assembling them into a train that canmove as a single unit in one direction towarda common goal is a daunting task that requireshuge effort and investment before it can belaunched. The PRCM places Marine Protected Areas atthe centre of its programme content; MPAsreflect thematic, national and institutionalrealities which are readily discernible and they

1.2. Assessment of the establishmentprocess and lessons learned

Village in full forest / Guinea Bissau

The process to establish the PRCM PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 13

are at the same time a key field of action forthe international organisation partners, a fieldin which their technical leadership is widelyrecognised. Along with species conservationwork, in which the migratory nature of thespecies makes the regional approach a must,MPAs can be seen as the backbone of theProgramme's first phase. While responding tonational and international priorities, the visiondeveloped by the Programme also reflects anintegrated set of priorities specific to WestAfrica which members can relate to: thecommunity-based approach, the participatorydimension, the need for strong institutions,incorporating economic issues, the importancegiven to the cultural dimension.At the time of publication of the strategy, thehigh level of political recognition expressedthrough the signing of the General PolicyDeclaration by 10 Ministers from the sixparticipating countries played a decisive partin the building of the PRCM. It should bepointed out here that the Declaration was notlimited to a commitment to further the aims ofthe strategy, but also acknowledged theinherent merit of the PRCM and, by logicalextension, the validity of the eco-regionalapproach as an additional layer to sit atopnational priorities. For those involved in theprogramme, this recognition proved to be ofthe greatest importance, for it posits linkageswith the governmental sphere and thepossibility of contributing directly to thedevelopment of sectoral policy. This linkage

was made official through the Memorandumwith the CSRP, an intergovernmentalinstitution, affording a unique opportunity forpartnership in a regional framework,particularly as regards the connection betweenmarine conservation and fisheries resourcemanagement. The decision to base the PRCM'saction in the member countries of the CSRP(resulting in the Programme opening in SierraLeone in 2005) offered the advantage ofworking in a recognised and functioninggeographical framework of cooperation whichroughly follows the boundaries of the eco-region.Joining a process already underway, securingfunding several years before start-up, buildinga sound and tightly-knit partnership ofinternational NGOs, governments and donors,arriving at a shared vision with all thoseinvolved based on thematic areas ofimportance to all, accepting responsibility byagreeing to lose individually at the start inorder to ensure a collective victory much later- these were the conditions that paved the wayfor the laying of solid foundations for thePRCM coalition.

Old man bijago / Guinea Bissau

14 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] The PRCM’s governance mechanisms

Set up by the first meeting of representatives ofthe PRCM's three founding international NGOs(IUCN, FIBA, WWF), the Steering Committeewas gradually enlarged to includerepresentatives of the fourth NGO partner(Wetlands International), the PermanentSecretariat of the CSRP and the coordinator ofRESOCOTAO; then, by way of strengtheningpartner representation, the Chairperson of thePRCM Regional Forum and the Coordinator ofthe MPA network (RAMPAO) were asked tojoin. The Chairperson of the Scientific andTechnical Committee (STC) (see below) enjoysobserver status. The Steering Committee (SC) isthe body responsible for decisions on rulesgoverning partnerships and how theProgramme should operate. It also decides howfunds invested in the basket fund by donorswill be allocated. It meets on average 2-3 timesper year and is chaired on a rotating basis witha one year chairmanship term. Decisions arealways taken by consensus. The minutes ofSteering Committee meetings are posted on theprogramme's website: www.prcmarine.org.

The Coordination Unit is a lightweightstructure at the service of the partners; itspurpose is to provide support to the PRCM'scoordination mechanisms, monitoring andevaluation and communication units. It ishoused in IUCN's Mauritanian office (inrecognition of the pioneering role played bythat country in MPAs and fisheries) and is runby a small team (the Coordinator, Monitoring& Evaluation and Communication officers, anadministrative assistant and a driver). It is the

Coordination Unit which organises andprovides the secretariat for the programme'sbodies, consolidates partners' technical reports,organises programme monitoring andevaluation, stimulates contact and synergybetween partners and with relevant regionaland international initiatives, and manages anddevelops donor relations. The CoordinationUnit has furthermore pushed for the adoptionof certain priorities for action identified by theForum, such as environmental education,ecotourism and offshore oil production, andhas taken part in the development of severalproject documents in these areas. It plays apredominant role in communication betweenpartners and with the outside world,overseeing the proper coordination of andconnectivity between interventions,publicising the work of the PRCM and takingpart in advocacy action.

The Regional Forum is the supremegoverning body of the PRCM. It bringstogether all groups active in the marine andcoastal zone, i.e. national andintergovernmental institutions, scientificinstitutions, national and international NGOs,socio-professional organisations, financialpartners (bilateral, multilateral andfoundations) and the private sector (fisheries,tourism, oil industry). The Forum is the arenain which the PRCM's strategic directions, itsgovernance system and recommendations toactors are discussed. It provides a uniqueopportunity for dialogue not only among theregion's countries but also between sectors.Decision-making within the Forum is foundedon the principle of consensus. The Forum has convened three meetings at 18-

2.1. Introduction to the governingand governance bodies

The PRCM’s governance mechanisms PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 15

month intervals in different capital cities(Conakry, Banjul and Praia); these wereattended by 108 to 160 participants frombetween 71 and 93 different institutions. Inorder to take full advantage of this large andbroad-ranging assembly, meetings of thevarious networks and training sessions areorganised on the sidelines. The Forum is also amechanism for coordination with otherregional initiatives wishing to join a processwhich is already up and running, one examplebeing the GEF Canary Current Large MarineEcosystems project - CCLME. The servicesprovided by the Forum in terms of participatoryregional governance are now widelyrecognized, attracting contributions from newdonors (Spanish Cooperation, GermanCooperation through the CSRP).

It was the first meeting of the Forum thatinitiated work to create the PRCM Scientificand Technical Committee by making proposalsregarding its membership and terms ofreference. The STC is made up of six to eightregional and international experts selected onthe strength of their skills in areas directlyconnected to the PRCM's fields of activity. All ofthem possess extensive knowledge of theregion's coastal zone and work on a voluntarybasis. As STC members, they assess the projectproposals submitted to the committee by theCoordination Unit (CU), which has alreadyreviewed them according to a set of objectivecriteria. Their opinions are forwarded to theSteering Committee, which has the final say inapproving projects. The STC also plays anadvisory role to the Forum, providing itsscientific perspective on developments in thecoastal zone or strategic priorities to be

considered. The STC met six times duringPhase I of the Programme.In order to transcend national and institutionallines, the decision was taken to adopt a proposalby STC to organise the Programme's activitiesby components. A leader has been designatedfor each one of these components, with the aimof stimulating technical exchanges betweenprojects, developing logical frameworks,organising evaluations and consolidating theresults of each component individually.Stemming from the need to better organiseexchanges between members working on thesame issues, this approach has led to thedevelopment of several regional networks.While the Coastal Planning Network hasgradually evolved into an informal network forcontact and exchange between coastal zoneexperts, other networks are slated to take on amore formal status. This is the case for theMarine Protected Areas Network - RAMPAO,whose Constituent Assembly was convened on16 April, 2007 in Praia, and also for the Networkof Members of Parliaments and the Marine andCoastal Biodiversity Network - BIOMAC, soon tobe officially established. The possibility of aninter-university network has also beendiscussed. These networks, which grow out of aneed for regional interaction, are intended tolead to better coverage of the range of issues bypartners in the region, with technical andadministrative support being provided by theinternational organisation partners.

Fishermen - Ervatao beach / Cape Verde

16 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] The PRCM’s governance mechanisms

About the Steering Committee. The membershipof the Steering Committee has evolvedgradually over time, demonstrating strongadaptability in taking in new members andresponding to Forum recommendations on theneed for broad representation of the region'sactors. Cooperation arrangements among thefour NGOs were defined in the Memorandumof Understanding, and subsequently by a seriesof Steering Committee decisions aimed atresolving difficulties in cooperationencountered as Programme implementationprogressed. These rules, which cover matterssuch as the duty to provide mutual informationand to acknowledge the PRCM incommunication products, have proved difficultto apply for the most part, mainly due to thecomplexity of administrative systems. Themembers of the SC have demonstratedtolerance and have developed relationships ofmutual trust as they have learned to worktogether. This made it possible for theCommittee to take all of its decisions byconsensus, without once having to put an issueto the vote. The flexibility of the SteeringCommittee has been a key factor responsiblefor the overall dynamism of the Programme.Transparency vis-à-vis PRCM partners andForum members is also an incontrovertibleprinciple, hence the decision to post theminutes of Steering Committee meetings onthe Programme's website. The main difficulties encountered by membersof the Steering Committee are related to thehigh cost of transactions. Administering a jointregional programme, which often meansanother layer added to the day-to-dayadministration of individual projects, requiresa large number of contacts, reports, meetingsand much travel, all of which are costly andtime-consuming. While these costs are easierto absorb during non-peak periods, greatercare must be taken during busier periods(especially during planning and evaluation)when there is a risk of the partners being over-extended. The possibility of holding someSteering Committee meetings byvideoconference might be considered whenthere are no extraordinary items on theagenda.

About the Coordination Unit. One of the rolesof the Coordination Unit is precisely toorganise work in chronological stages so as tosave the partners' energy and ensure that theorder in which meetings (of the SC, STC,component leaders, the Forum) are held islogical with respect to the functions of theindividual bodies. Given the broad range oftasks on the CU's work programme comparedto its staffing strength, the Unit is remarkableefficient. The need to set up a Programme-widemonitoring and evaluation system led to therealisation of the limits to partners' capacity tomeet the requirements that go hand in handwith a regional coalition. The ProgrammeOfficer in charge of this matter had greatdifficulty gathering the relevant informationfrom these partners. A more flexible approachmust be sought to avoid further burdening thePRCM, whose bureaucratic load is alreadyheavy. Although no one contests the essentialrole of the CU, its structural weakness is itscost, which is added to various managementcosts that already weigh heavily on theprojects. Compared to other regionaladministrations, however, this cost remainsmodest, especially if one considers the range ofservices provided by the CU.

About the Scientific and Technical Committee.It plays a decisive role in assessing the strengthand value of projects within the overall scopeof the programme. One of the greatestdifficulties experienced by the STC stems fromits twice-yearly meeting schedule which hasturned out to be insufficient in view of thelarge numbers of projects in the selectionprocess, which can not always stand to bedelayed or to wait for the PRCM stamp ofapproval before being submitted to the donors.The fact that the project proposal and selectionprocess is in itself quite complex makes theproblem worse. The proposals start theirjourney with the CU, which forwards them toSTC, which gives its opinion to the members ofthe SC, who decide whether or not to take theprojects on as part of the programme beforeinforming the proponents of their decision. Thecomplexity of the process, which at times isexacerbated by delays in submission of STCmeeting reports, has put off or totallydiscouraged some partners, who have madetheir dissatisfaction known. The decision to

2.2. Assessment of governancemechanisms and lessons learned

The PRCM’s governance mechanisms PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 17

invite the Chair of STC to attend SteeringCommittee meetings, and vice versa, has easedcommunication between these two bodies buthas not lessened the complexity of the process.The voluntary status of STC members, who allhold professional positions of greatresponsibility, has most likely been a factor indetermining the amount of time they were ableto devote to fulfilling the numerousexpectations.

About the Forum. Meetings of the Forum,which are held every 18 months, are the highpoint in the life of the PRCM. They alsoprovide regular opportunities to touch basewith the situation in the region's coastal zone.The vital importance of the Forum is easilyunderstood if one considers the number ofopportunities it affords to nearly 90institutions for establishing contacts, fortraining and for harmonisation of nationalpolicies and discussion. Since issues aregenerally approached on a transnational scale,participants can voice criticism withoutoffending member countries. A close look atthe reports of the three meetings held so farshows real progress in the calibre and maturityof exchanges between participants. Among theissues and limitations that have arisen sincethe Forum was launched, the question of whoshould attend is of foremost concern. It hasproved difficult to apply a strict rule regardingrepresentation of various categories of actors,especially because of differences betweencountries (some departments existing in somecountries but not in others) and budgetarylimits. Moreover, the opinions ofrepresentatives of all categories cannot beconsidered to count equally in decision-

making, and this limits the force carried byconclusions, reducing them to the status ofrecommendations. Finally, the members andthe CU do not have adequate capacity toprovide follow-up of the implementation ofeach individual Forum recommendation.

A close look at how the PRCM's governing andgovernance bodies operate brings to lightseveral givens. Although these bodies arenecessary to the Programme, and despitehaving limited them to optimal size, theycreate a set of additional costs that need to beweighed up with respect to expected benefits.Working with a large number of partners basedin seven countries and using three differentworking languages requires a significant efforton the part of the NGOs and the CoordinationUnit, an effort that must be weighed up alongwith the importance of the issues at stake andthe projected outcomes. As the latter are oftendifficult to calculate in economic terms, a cost-benefit analysis is a difficult proposition. If thePRCM has been able to overcome most of thesedifficulties, it is thanks to the combineddetermination of the actors, donors and policymakers who have all shown great flexibility, anindispensable commodity when working aspart of a coalition in a constantly changingenvironment.

Women await the unloading ofthe lanches imraguen / Mauritania

18 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] Outcomes of the first phase

Establishment and strengtheningof MPAs

In the field of MPA establishment andstrengthening, outcomes include: thedevelopment of a Regional Strategy, support tothe establishment of eight new MPAs, withwork on four others underway, capacitybuilding in the areas of participatorymanagement, maritime surveillance (37officers trained, including eight captains, andfive speedboats provided), establishment of theregional network called RAMPAO and an MPAusers' Forum. Another area of focus was theestablishment of transboundary MPAs (SenegalDelta Transboundary Biosphere Reserve) andthe restoration of degraded ecosystems(Diawling National Park). This is the mostdynamic segment of the programme due to theexperience gained by the partners and theirlong history of collaboration. The approachdeveloped in the regions is typified by itsemphasis on the management of naturalresources and the high value placed onheritage. A large number of MPAs with

resident human communities have becometesting grounds for sustainable development,and the lessons learned from this are nowproving particularly valuable. The search for acompromise between conservation and povertyreduction, and between resident and non-resident resource users has led to thedevelopment of the community-managedprotected areas model, one of the mosteffective conservation mechanisms forresponding to the combined pressures affectingthe most sensitive coastal ecosystems. It should be mentioned that the increasingnumber of initiatives in this field has reachedthe limit of available skills and humanresources, especially for process managementand community outreach, and this is equallytrue of the resources needed for surveillance.These issues have all been taken underconsideration by the RAMPAO network, andindeed account for a large part of itsprogramme of work.

Orango reserve - Guinea Bissau

A summarised version of the assessment

of outcomes achieved during the first

phase is presented below; a more

detailed description is found in

the appendices to this report.

Outcomes of the first phase PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 19

Species and habitat conservation

The main outcomes in this field are thedevelopment and implementation of regionalaction plans for sharks, sea turtles, the Monkseal, the manatee and waterbirds, as well as thedrafting of an action plan for mangroves.During the first phase of the Programme,activity was largely devoted to a set of baselinestudies on these species and the main threats totheir conservation. These were the basis for theaction plans, whose implementation has beenuneven both from species to species and fromone country to another. One of the mostnoteworthy is the Monk Seal Action Plan, inwhich the conservation of the species isapproached systemically, incorporating aspectslike the protection of critical sites, fisheries,research, environmental education andcommunication. Action on the Sub-regionalShark Action Plan is also exemplary because ofthe level of commitment by the nationalinstitutions involved (fisheries departments,research centres) and shark fisherystakeholders. The other plans are still at a moreembryonic stage of development due, amongother factors, to the disproportionate numberof measures required for the conservation ofany given species. When it became clear thatthe majority of species face similar threats(coastal habitat degradation, pollution, fishing)the decision was taken to start a biodiversitynetwork, BIOMAC, to coordinate efforts on abroader scale.

Management of natural resources,particularly fisheries resources

The focus in this area has been ondemonstration projects that highlight co-management approaches (Women and shellfishin the Saloum, artisanal fishing in Cayar) andthe need to integrate research, managementand development action with all those workingon each fishery (Mullet, Meagre and Bluefish).In this regard, MPAs can be used as pilot sites,as in the case of Banc d'Arguin National Park(PNBA) where an integrated approach takes alldimensions into consideration: detailedmonitoring of landings, scientific research,reporting back of data combined with yearlyconsultations on fishing methods,participatory surveillance and enforcement,development activities designed to promotesustainable practices, etc. The PNBAexperience has been an inspirational exampleto MPAs in the region through its exchangevisits, workshops, publications on lessonslearned and regional training opportunities.Although these projects, some conductedlocally and others on a transboundary scale,are experimental in nature, close cooperationwith the Sub-regional Fisheries Commission(CSRP) has made it possible to create theconditions for transposing them to the regionalscale. Another positive outcome of thiscooperation is the mutual influence that PRCMorganisations and the CSRP, who share thesame aims of conserving and protectingmarine ecosystems and fisheries resources,have come to exercise on each other. It shouldalso be mentioned that projects under the«fisheries management» component maintainmany ties with other PRCM components, in


particular the research and marine protectedareas components.Activities under this component have,however, been beset by a number of structuraldifficulties. The fishing effort in the region isexcessive and the depletion of the majority ofresource species is pushing fishers toward non-sustainable practices. The disparity betweenresource levels inside and outside protectedareas drives them to move into these areaswhere they fish illegally. As the fisheries sectorspirals downward toward crisis, it becomesmore difficult to introduce political measures,and many management recommendationsemerging from the Programme's activitiesremain unimplemented to date. The recentwave of illegal emigrants, many of whom arefishermen, leaving their countries in pirogues,illustrates the seriousness of this problem;while it can identify possible solutions forresolving this crisis, the PRCM's action canhave only a limited impact.

Promotion of sustainable tourism

Several community development initiativeshave been put in place, mainly inside MPAs. Ithas been observed that sustainable protectionand management measures often requirerestrictions that penalise resource users in theshort term. Development projects are a way ofcompensating for their loss of income. Theyare also a constructive way to orientproduction systems toward sustainablepractices, or to improve living conditions forlocal communities (through hygiene, healthand education). In some cases, they areinstrumental in pinpointing alternatives toresource use, a prime example beingecotourism (PNBA, Saloum, Bijagosarchipelago). Increasing the value of fisheriesproducts is another effective method forimproving the financial situation ofpopulations; this is done through betterprocessing, more effective marketing and theestablishment of prestigious eco-labels, i.e. formullet roe from the Banc d'Arguin.

Advocacy for a precautionaryapproach to the developmentof oil production

Coordinated approaches taken on certain issuesby PRCM partners have proved effective inexercising influence on policy-making. Theirwork on the development of offshore oildrilling, for example, speaks volumes aboutthe potential strength of such a coalition.Action in this field consisted of a study tour toNigeria, a regional workshop in Nouakchott, anational workshop in Bissau, information andawareness-raising for stakeholders, theproduction of technical summaries and riskmapping for Mauritania and Guinea Bissau.This work helped to promote good governancein this sector, especially in Mauritania, wherethe President of the Republic requested IUCN'ssupport to set up a panel of independentexperts, committing funding from theMauritanian state to the panel's budget. Thisconstructive approach to collaboration, whichhas been reproduced in other areas such asindustrial shellfish harvesting using dragnets,is a shining example of the effectiveness of aregional coalition in dealing with issues ofshared concern.

Outcomes of the first phase PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 21

Research and coastal planningactivities

A research programme entitled «Prospectivestock-taking review of the coastalenvironment», has been implemented jointlyby West African and European researchinstitutions (in particular, IRD - Institut deRecherche pour le Développement, in France).Its aim is to analyse changes in the coastalzone over approximately the last 50 years, andto produce scenarios for the next 20 years. Thisprogramme has acted as a framework forsupporting the training of African researchers- four PhD and eight DEA (MSc) students, plusseveral training workshops) and producingcoastal zone management tools (GIS, atlases,databases, maps etc.) for use by decisionmakers. Maps of fisheries, marine biodiversityand offshore oil production in Mauritania andGuinea Bissau, and the flood risk map of thecities of Nouakchott and St Louis are examplesof such products. Working groups on the mainareas covered by the « prospective review »have been used to draw up sub-regionalsummaries and have given rise to publicationsand papers presented at conferences. Theprogramme has built partnerships withresearch institutes, networks and projects withthe ultimate goal of coordinating efforts andfunding support. A conference was held inStockholm with the support of SIDA - SwedishInternational Development Agency to compareSwedish, East African and West Africanexperiences in coastal zone management andto support the establishment of the WestAfrican inter-university network. Brussels wasthe venue of an international symposiumorganised with support from the Foundation

for the Promotion of Scientific Research inAfrica (Belgium) on the conservation of coastalecosystems in West Africa, the proceedings ofwhich have since been published.The research programme met with someteething problems at the outset (stemmingfrom the administrative and institutional set-up and limited budget) which delayed theachievement of outcomes. Also, the greatmajority of research was actually carried outon more limited scales, both temporally andspatially, than initially planned. Activities aimed at supporting integratedcoastal zone management programmes atcountry level were conducted, chiefly inGuinea Bissau, Cape Verde and Mauritania. Inthe latter country, this work led to the draftingof the Mauritanian Coastal Development Plan,to the establishment of a coastal observatoryand the enactment of a new Coastal Act whichunderscores the importance of the integratedapproach to coastal zone management. Amajor communication operation, «MauritanianCoastal Days» (with an exhibition, anillustrated book in two languages andpresentations) raised the awareness of thepublic and decision makers alike about thespecific issues facing the coastal zone againstthe current trend of rapid development. InCape Verde, action was aimed at promoting theincorporation of the environmental dimensioninto municipal development plans, as well asin sectoral policies, especially on tourism.

Hotel in Boa Vista / Cape Verde


Environmental communication

Communication played a seminal role inachieving a coordinated and coherentapproach, in the dissemination of theProgramme's achievements, in raisingawareness about and promoting the value ofheritage, and in learning from experience andgood practices. Several communication toolsproved invaluable: the PRCM website; themonthly newsletter; a roving van whichtravelled to villages and fishing camps holdingfilm screenings followed by discussion;documentaries aired by national televisionstations; radio programmes; informationsessions specifically designed for teachers andjournalists; exhibitions in African andEuropean capital cities. The unique photolibrary mounted by the Programme, whichcontains photos of the coastal zones of six ofthe seven PRCM countries, was used by manypartners in their own communicationoperations and is a valuable standing source ofmaterial for promoting the region's coastalheritage.

Capacity building for stakeholders

The great majority of projects included acapacity building component. Some werespecifically designed with the aim ofincreasing stakeholders' capacity, like theproject on building capacity in negotiatingfishing agreements, training in impactassessments or maritime surveillance inprotected areas. The participatory managementmodel applied in MPAs was the subject ofseveral regional workshops where topicsincluded co-management, communicatingwith local populations, and processes fornegotiating management agreements,including conflict resolution methods. Severalcapacity building exchange visits wereorganised for managers and technical stafffrom all the countries, as well as resourceusers: the women who harvest shellfish(Bijagos - Saloum), artisanal fishers(Mauritania - Senegal) and MPA users (Senegal- Guinea).

Lessons from the first phasePRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 23

The PRCM is an innovativeprogramme for West Africa, and thisimplies significant transaction costswhich can only be offset by fullcommitment by partners, mutualtrust and the support of donors wellbefore the Programme even began.The Programme's organisational

structure and governancemechanisms must be highly flexible to enablethe many institutions, each with its ownorganisational culture and priorities to findtheir own niche and to cope with new issues,like offshore oil drilling, which were not partof the Programme as initially planned.It is important to garner the involvement of allcountries by trying to ensure that they all getan equal share of the benefits deriving fromthe Programme. This is not always possiblewhen certain variables, such as lack ofinterested partners or pressing conservationissues, are present. Close examination of thefirst phase suggests that the PRCM remainedtoo closely connected to the traditionalpartners involved in pre-existing conservationactivities, with whom trust and channels ofcooperation had already been established. Thisresulted in frustration which adverselyimpacted the smooth development of theProgramme. Furthermore, the equitableapportionment of funding among the countriesshould not be an end in itself (what criteriacould be used to measure the countries'comparative importance?) as this would pose arisk of simply falling back into a myriad ofnational approaches, all conducted in isolation,whereas the whole point was precisely to jointogether to deal with problems facing allcountries alike.At several times during the first phase,national partners were clearly frustrated by thefeeling that with respect to funding, they weresometimes last in line behind the fourinternational NGOs who were in direct contactwith the donors. The process of transferring ofresponsibility to national entities and buildingtheir capacity requires a deliberate anddetermined policy. In this perspective, settingup thematic networks is one solution, not onlyto allow for the regional management of issuesbut also as a way of empowering the region'sactors. Indeed, opportunities for action atregional level by national partners are greatlyenhanced by such networks. The internationalNGOs, who possess the capacity to act on aregional scale, will need to re-focus their

Collecting of shells / Senegal

24 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] Lessons from the first phase

strategies in future, gradually phasingthemselves out of direct intervention in thefield and providing technical and financialassistance to their partners. The SteeringCommittee should reflect this process, as it didwhen it extended an invitation to theChairperson of RAMPAO network to attend itsmeetings.The PRCM's relations with the political sphere,which largely exist through the CSRP, haveproved to be crucially important for getting itspriorities onto government agendas andinfluencing the policy process. In the finalanalysis, the PRCM's influence remainedmodest compared to the magnitude of thepressures on the coastal zone (fisheries,tourism, extractive industries, infrastructurebuilding, etc.) set against the global economicand political situation. In today's world,development is still measured almost entirelybased on economic and financial criteria, andpolitical decisions are more often than notinfluenced by levels of investment. By thisstandard, the PRCM's influence is clearly veryminor, as illustrated by the position taken byWest African countries during theInternational Whaling Commission meeting.Given this state of affairs, the partners haveagreed that other ways of influencing theseprocesses need to be found. The work begunwith Members of Parliament committed toprotecting the environment (a network ofMembers of Parliament is already operationalin several countries and the regional networkis soon to follow), for example, is extremelypromising. A similar initiative is underwaywith several networks of environmentally-aware journalists who have been giventraining, and in some cases funding, and haveaccess to the various sources of informationprovided by the PRCM. In the longer run, it isinvestments in environmental education thatwill be the most effective, but the Programme'sweakness in this area, with the exception ofinitiatives taken by the NGO Oceanium,Palmeirinha and a few minor project activities,must be acknowledged.

On some issues such as oil production, thePRCM has managed to achieve good resultswith limited means: visits to Members ofParliaments, journalists, NGOs and technicalpersonnel in Nigeria, outreach materials inseveral languages, regional and nationalworkshops, risk mapping in Mauritania andGuinea Bissau, and the establishment of thepanel of independent experts in Mauritania atthe request of the President himself.The PRCM's work on MPAs is its greatestsuccess so far. It should continue to be apriority in future, since protected areas areamong the most effective conservation toolsavailable. The approach adopted in the region,which incorporates the cultural and economicdimensions within a participatory framework,is an innovative approach to sustainabledevelopment that should be held up as anexample for the entire coastal zone. However,funding remains sorely insufficient - evenmore so in that has to be shared by sevencountries, as does human capacity for MPAmanagement. Despite much hard work andoutstanding successes, maritime surveillanceremains a critical problem which is bound toworsen as resource levels dwindle, and as theinterest aroused by the difference in resourcelevels inside and outside MPAs becomes lessand less easy to control.Considerable progress has been in species andhabitat conservation, despite inadequateresults in the field: the pioneering andexemplary approach of the shark and sea turtleprojects has not yet paid off in terms ofimproving the population status of thesespecies. Experience gained through theprojects, especially the Monk seal conservationproject, confirms the effectiveness of thecombination of protected area - communitydevelopment - research - communication -education as a framework for setting priorities.The fisheries issue is so far-reaching andcomplex that the only way to tackle it isthrough demonstration projects emphasizingthe research - management - developmentapproach for each individual fishery. Hereagain, MPAs stand out as the prime testingground for new models based on definingpriority or exclusive rights of access forresident populations and on zoning plans thatgive due consideration to the functions eacharea fulfills and the overriding need toguarantee food security. The PRCM's excellentrelationship with the CSRP has been valuablein achieving constructive and creative

Lessons from the first phase PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 25

influence over the development of fishingpolicies at country and regional level. Ecotourism did not attain a predominantposition in the Programme during the firstphase. Although it is not an issue specific tothis region, it is of major importance due to theenvironmental impacts of tourism on thecoastal zone, not forgetting its socioeconomicand cultural impacts. The experience of thefirst phase showed the importance ofapproaching ecotourism from twocomplementary angles. The first is to considerecotourism as an income-generating activitywhich features the natural and culturalheritage to the benefit of MPA residentcommunities. The second is to see ecotourismthrough the lens of land-use planning with aview to optimising the impacts of an activitythat has the potential to become an instrumentfor development. However, it must be statedthat regional capacity for impact assessmentsis highly inadequate. Coordinating activities component bycomponent has been shown to be an effectivemeans of connecting interventions togetherharmoniously within a logical frameworkspecific to each theme. However, it must besaid that the large number of componentsproduced the opposite effect which workedagainst the integrated management approachcalled for by the Programme: for example,several projects encompassed activities onprotected areas, fishing and speciesconservation and thus had to fulfill thepriorities of three different components.The basket fund principle proved to be aneffective way of channeling funding to acoherent group of activities. The fund made itpossible to guarantee the consistency of theProgramme upstream, without being subjectedto donors' criteria or decisions on individualprojects which are more difficult to bringtogether or harmonise a posteriori. The basketfund operates according to a harmonised setof procedures which are applied across theboard to all activities and partners, forexample regarding technical and financialreports and monitoring and evaluationprocedures. It facilitates communicationdownstream and provides a clearer image ofthe PRCM, with the resulting effects on newpartners and potential donors.

The donors played a key role in building thePRCM, and not only through their financialsupport. Taking an active part in discussionand planning throughout the process, they hada positive influence on increasing theinvolvement of local actors, on ensuring thattransparency permeated all operations, and onthe harmonisation and consolidation oftechnical and financial reports. They also lenttheir support on many occasions in dealingswith the governments of the countriesinvolved, with other potential donors and ininternational communication more broadly.The President of the MAVA Foundation playeda special and decisive role in building thePRCM, involving himself personally in thedesign phase, offering constant encouragementand intervening to facilitate dialogue betweenpartners. He has in fact been the unofficialambassador of the coalition over the years atinnumerable international and regional events,tirelessly championing the cause of the WestAfrican marine and coastal zone.

26 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] The added value of the coalition of partners

Given the high additional

or transaction costs resulting

from operating as a coalition,

it is only fitting to consider

the added value that such a

coalition offers to offset these

costs. The opinions expressed

on this subject by members

of the Forum, found in

Appendix I, are worthy of

interest. These additional

benefits, which are as

a general rule difficult

to express objectively in

quantitative terms, can be

listed as follows:

• The PRCM is the only programme in WestAfrica which can approach marine andcoastal conservation on an eco-regionalscale, working on a set of integrated issueswith most of the actors concerned, and witha shared vision. It represents a systemicapproach to conservation.

• The partners divide up responsibility for a setof agreed priorities according to theirspecific capacities (presence in certaincountries, special thematic expertise, etc.), sothat conservation efforts are deployed in amore consistent and effective manner. Eachmember of the coalition, and the Programmeas a whole, benefit from the added valuecontributed by the partners.

• The energy formerly expended by the NGOsin competing for access to funding is nowspent on collective fundraising and poolingof available funds, optimising the utilisationof funding and at the same time improvingthe image of each of the partners.

• On each of the main conservation themes,regional teams work together towardscommon goals using harmonised methodsand scales adapted to the situation.

• The existence of the coalition has a motivatingand inspiring effect on the partners, the olderpartners leading the new. By way ofillustration, the development of the regionalstrategy on MPAS and the dynamic process setin motion in this field by the PRCM haveencouraged Guinea and Cape Verde to bridgethe gap separating them from other countriesin terms of establishing of MPAs.

Fish arrival on the beach / Senegal

The added value of the coalition of partners PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 27

• After a number of years of thinking togetherabout ecosystem functioning andmanagement, the coalition has developed aclearer awareness about resources and therisks affecting the entire region.Responsibility for managing these resourcesand risks is thus also more evenly shared

. • The thematic networks and the Forum

provide regional mechanisms for dialoguewhich facilitate a concerted search forsolutions and also the resolution of conflictsthat may arise. The opportunities afforded tomeet with others (Forum, workshops,exchange visits) forge strong ties betweencoastal zone actors from different countries,thus contributing to maintaining constructiveand peaceful relations in an unsettled region.

• A great deal of communication work is donejointly, with the dual benefit of economies ofscale and stronger impact achieved. Thisresults in increased capacity in terms ofadvocacy. On the offshore oil drilling front,for example, PRCM partners were able toachieve results that would have beenimpossible for any one of them workingalone.

• The coalition model produces economies ofscale in several other areas such as training,database creation, representation at regionalor international events and the clustering ofinitiatives on given themes, like themangrove initiative which now associatesIUCN and Wetlands International, or theregional management and governance offisheries (CSRP, IUCN and WWF).

• Eco-regional coastalzone management isan innovativeproposition whichinspires and attractsother regions (EastAfrica, the IndianOcean, the MEDPANnetwork in theMediterranean) and,conversely, conveys afavourable image ofWest Africa and thePRCM.

• The PRCM offers an attractive platform forpractical collaboration to technical andfinancial partners who wish to increase themeaningfulness and effectiveness of theiraction. Additionally, the existence of thebasket fund provides a mechanism that cansimplify funding and reporting procedurescompared to the project approach.

• By virtue of its scope and mandate forregional coordination, the PRCM has becomea prominent force in marine and coastalconservation in West Africa, a force whichencourages new partners to join in, like theGEF-CCLME project on the Canary Current.

28 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] Conclusions

Analysing the assessment

of Phase I of the PRCM

naturally leads to a few

recommendations to guide

the design of the next phase.

While a great deal of the energy expended overthe last few years has been devoted to buildingthe PRCM, the next phase will need to bedeterminedly operational. Among the key areasof focus is the necessary transfer ofresponsibility to national partners while at thesame time continuously strengthening theircapacity. This will mean, among other things,that the share of the budgets taken up by theinternational NGOs for their own operationsand development will need to be reduced inrelative terms. National partners will then needto take care to invest a significant share of thebudget in the field. To take one area of work,MPAs, it is clear that needs in the field are stilltremendous (surveillance, community outreachand development, research, monitoring) andthe ability to invest there must not bejeopardised by unduly high management,travel, consultancy or meeting costs. Withrespect to funding for conservation, the short-term aim will be to diversify the Programme'ssources of funding and, in the longer run, tofind a way to turn the basket fund into a trust

fund. Here it must be said, despite the moderatecapacity of the partners to absorb higher costs,that the total programme budget is inadequategiven the number of countries involved and themagnitude of the challenges.

Considering that coastal conservationcontinues to lose ground and that the outcomesof the first phase are not yet sufficientlyprominent, the PRCM now needs to set clear,tangible, concrete, objective and verifiablegoals. This is necessary not only in absoluteterms but also vis-à-vis policy makers anddonors, in terms of communication and also inorder to be in a position to set down milestonesthroughout the process. It should also motivateactors to constantly improve theirachievements in the field. In addition to thisrequirement, there is a need to put in place amonitoring and evaluation system not only forprojects but for the Programme as a whole. Thesystem would ideally be agreed on by the wholerange of Programme partners, and theagreement of those having benefited directlyfrom the basket fund would be a must.

The analysis of the outcomes of the first phaseshows that scientific research has not alwaysbeen sufficiently tied into the rest of theProgramme. It is important that research goals

Imraguen lanche / Mauritania

Conclusions PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 29

be better matched to the priorities of the PRCMas well as with the geographical areas of actionand key Programme partners. While the spatialdimension was properly factored into the PRCMin the design and building process, especiallythrough the special focus on the eco-region,some extra thought should be devoted tobroadening its temporal dimension byforecasting trends with different timelines,taking climate change into consideration.

Considering the political and economicproblems to be faced, and recognising thatmore often than not the conservationmovement is swimming against the current, thePRCM must develop a strategic alliance withcertain partners who have the capability toincrease its powers of influence. One of thelessons learned from the first phase is thatMembers of Parliament and journalists havesignificant potential to do just that, and itwould therefore be beneficial to step uprelations with them, chiefly through training,study visits, and provision of information.Stronger links with the artisanal fishing sectorwould also make it possible to influence policyon certain issues more decisively. Those thatspring readily to mind are offshore oilproduction, industrial trawling or dragnetfishing, the latter being an area in which theinterests of artisanal fishers andconservationists converge.

On a more general level, communication andadvocacy work should be significantly steppedup so as to heighten the Programme's impactsand achievements. Communication materialcontent should be designed and disseminated totarget groups having common concerns and

comparable levels of training. For example, thesame material and methods might be used forMembers of Parliament, journalists, teachersand management-level staff of governmentdepartments. Many of them have access to theInternet, so documents could be sent to thesegroups at little cost to the Programme.Advocacy, on the other hand, requires a morespecific approach which warrants thedevelopment of a full strategy by PRCMpartners, some of whom (i.e. WWF andOceanium in Dakar) have solid experience inthis area.

Last, but possibly most important, thesustainability of conservation action dependslargely on the young people of today.Implementing a regional environmentaleducation programme is thereforea top priority if children are togrow up to be thinking and awareagents in their own development,able to grasp and rise to thechallenges of the day, strong in theconviction that they share a singlecoastal and marine heritage withother countries.

30 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] Appendices

Appendix 1 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] 31

The participants to the Praia regional Forum (2007) stated that PRCM:

• Contributes to sub regional integration in devoting its priority efforts to regional or crossborder issues while integrating an intergovernmental organization (SRFC);

• Is an inter sector dialogue framework between various categories of actors who arecapable of addressing relevant issues at regional level;

• Provides for coordination and exchange mechanisms which strengthen the globalcoherence of interventions and limit duplication risks;

• Create synergies between stakeholders and enables scale economies;

• Allows to make greater benefit of its partners specific skills through complementarity;

• Allows to raise sensitive issues without running the risk of standing against nationalspecificities;

• Provides for interesting partnership conditions for donor visibility, global coherence,partner clustering, and regional dimension;

• Uses an innovative eco systemic approach in serving as a relay between the local, nationaland the eco regional within a multi-stakeholders dynamics;

• Enriches the content of other regional or international programs and offers collaborationopportunities with other initiatives in the sub region;

• Gathers a strong coalition of stakeholders capable of impacting on policies;

• Allows a capitalization of good practices through exchange visits;

• Is at the origin of a greater awareness of the necessity to ensure the protectionand management of the region's coastal area by means of an integrated approach;

32 PRCM / Assessment report of phase 1 [2004-2007] Appendix 2

Marine Protected Areas-MPAs are

considered as one of the strongest

tools for protecting biodiversity and

contributing to a sustainable

management of marine and coastal

areas.

They play an essential role in protecting somehabitats such as marine grass beds mangrove areas,muddy grounds, estuaries and deltas, insular areasetc, considered as essential to the renewal of marineresources and associated biodiversity. These areprivileged environments for species reproductionand juvenile population growth; and thuscontribute to sustaining human activities based ontheir exploitation. In Western Africa, these protectedspaces are furthermore specific in the sense thatcommunities are the traditional users who are theholders of our rich cultural heritage which helped -in many instances- in preserving practically all therelated natural environments.In view of their knowledge of environments andresources as well as their presence on the territory,local communities directly contribute to themanagement and surveillance of theaforementioned habitats.The presence of these communities and theprotection status has led to the necessity to set upspecific governance systems whereby participatoryapproach is systematically favored ; and also toidentify sustainable resources managementschemes.

For all these reasons, MPAs in West Africa constitutenowadays real experimentation poles forsustainable development that can be used asexamples for the remaining part of the coastal area.However, it is obvious that MPAs should not beconsidered as a panacea in view of the dysfunctionsas observed, but as one of the global coastalplanning mechanism component.Considering the existence in the Sub-region ofmigratory species, shared resources, users mobility,fishermen in particular, as well as the impact ofexogenous activities and benefits as produced byMPAs beyond their boundaries, and therequirement for maintaining the structure and theregional marine and coastal ecosystems functions,coastal and marine preservation stakeholdersdevised in 2002 a Regional Strategy for MPAs, witha view to putting in place a coherent network ofmarine protected areas in Western Africa. Thestrategy was strongly supported by the politicalauthorities of involved countries, through thesigning in 2003 of a general policy statement by 10ministers in charge of environment, protected areasand fisheries in 6 countries. This common willmaterialize through the launching from 2004, ofthe Regional Program For the Conservation of theCoastal and Marine Area, under the initiative of fourinternational organizations (FIBA, IUCN, WetlandsInternational and WWF) and in cooperation with theSub Regional Fisheries Commission.The objective of PRCM is to « better protect andensure the management of biological and culturaldiversity and the integrity of coastal and marineecosystems in Western Africa through sharedinitiatives which are promoted as part of adiversified regional partnership ».To meet such objectives, seven components wereidentified among which the one on the « Support toMPAs Creation and Co management ».


The component has for specific objective «theestablishment of a functional MPA network which isrepresentative of key habitats as well as cultural andbiological diversity, the management of which isensured in participatory manner and contributes tothe sustainable development of the area».

The expected results of the aforesaidcomponent were:1. The creation process of new MPAs are

strengthened through an identification ofpriority areas and processes already in place.

2. MPAs efficiency and management isimproved through human, institutional,material and financial capacity building oflocal, national and regional actors.

3. The integration of MPAs in the Sub Region'sinternational and sector policies is improved.

4. The Sub-Region's MPAs creation andmanagement experiences are capitalized onand disseminated.

1. Setting-Up a Network of MarineProtected Areas in Western Africa -RAMPAO

The official creation of a Network of MarineProtected Area in Western Africa (RAMPAO) isundoubtedly one of the main achievements of thefirst phase of PRCM partners, which answersprecisely the specific objective of the component.The long process of managers dialogue led to theconstitution of the general assembly on April 16th2007 during the 3rd Regional and coastal Forum ofPraia. Two formal regional preparation meetings -Mauritania in 2005 and Dakar in 2006 - in additionto the informal meeting held during the BanjulForum were of particular importance for theapproval of the Charter, by-laws and membershipcriteria by the heads of institutions in charge ofprotected areas, with the participation of few actorsfrom the Fisheries sector, research and otherinstitutions involved in the management of the SubRegional marine and coastal resources.

The Regional Network of MPA in Western Africa

The final goal of RAMPAO is to «ensure, within the WesternAfrica marine eco region, the continuing existence of acoherent set of critical habitats which are necessary to adynamic operation of ecological processes that are neededfor natural resources regeneration and biodiversityconservation to the benefit of societies».More specifically RAMPAO aims at:

• Promoting experience sharing and mutualapprenticeship,

• creating synergies between MPA on issuesof common interest,

• making MPAs of the region functional andoperational structures,

• building mutual capacities in advocacy, interestand representation of MPAs of the regionat international level.

These objectives are shall be met through the implementationof a regional network work plan, which is operated inpartnership with various sub regional and internationalactors involved in the conservation and management ofcoastal and marine resources.

The selected full membership( MPA) criteria include theofficial recognition of the protected area, including thedefinition of management objectives; the existence of anoperational MPA management structure ; the existence of amanagement plan or a multi-annual plan of activity alongwith an area mapping plan which delineates the site of thearea to be preserved. The membership criteria reflect theconcern of sub regional actors as to the need for improvingexisting MPA management efficiency and strengthening themajority of them.

The creation of RAMPAO answers the will of the Sub region'sStates , but meet equally the requirements of manyinternational recommendations , specifically that of theworld summit for social development, the 5th Parks worldcongress, the biological convention on biodiversity and theinternational congress on MPAs, for establishing MPAnetworks by 2012.


Therefore, 15 marine protected areas from 4countries (Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia andGuinée Bissau) selected on the basis of criteriadefined by MPAs officials, are the foundingmembers of this network and seven other applicantMPAs should - in order to join the network - workwith the support of RAMPAO Secretariat and PRCMpartners towards satisfying a few criteria, such asthe conception of Management Plans or multiannual work plans and the operation ofmanagement structures.Today, RAMPAO is comprised of more than 90% ofthe area under protection in the concernedcountries and covers a major part of the sites thatwere so far identified as of priority. The areas thatare not yet represented are located on the CapeVerde Archipelago and the southern part of the ecoregion (Guinée and Sierra Leone)The present major challenge of the network will beto strengthen the global coherence through theimplementation of a work program based onpriorities of higher regional connectivity andfunctionality while taking individuals needs ofMPAs into consideration. A first step was made inthat direction with the development of a data baseon MPA, which should allow an analysis of gapsnoted within the networks and the definition ofpriority actions with a view to ensuring a bettercoherence and representation activity fromRAMPAO.

2. Supporting MPA Creation Process

One of this component expected results was thatthe process of creating new MPAS should bestrengthened through a support to priority areasidentification and setting-up processes. In 2005,priority sites for conservation and biodiversity forspecies, habitats and biological processes wereidentified and mapped, with the participation ofexperts from the Sub-Region.The creation of MPA is a long lasting process whichcomprises a synthesis of scientific local knowledgeand extensive dialogue with users and institutions,the identification of borders and area mappingswhich correspond to the various uses made of spaceand resources according to practiced and agreedrules; the setting-up of concerted managementmechanisms and bodies as well as systems ofsurveillance; the implementation of concernedcommunities priorities; social communication andextended outreach; the quest for financialpartnerships etc…

One of the major difficulties encountered duringthis phase is the ambiguity of roles and prerogativesof MPA sponsoring institutions which translatesinto a difficult collaboration in some countriesbetween Fisheries and Environment or MaritimeEconomy Departments in some countries.However, combined efforts of PRCM partners incooperation with political, administrativeauthorities and national non-governmentalorganizations in the 6 first intervention phasecountries enabled PRCM to bring a direct support tothe creation process or to newly created MPAs.Furthermore, the dynamics started since 2002 hasindirectly inspired other actors to create someimportant MPAs in the region, though the latterhave received no direct financial support fromPRCM.Thus, over the twelve (12) PMA which were officiallycreated since 2003 in five countries of the Sub-Region, two were entirely supported (technicallyand financially) from PRCM as part of their creationprocesses; these are the community MPA of Urokgroup of islands in the Bijagos Archipelago inGuinée Bissau and the cross border biosphereReserve of the River Senegal Lower Delta.Six other MPA sites received the direct support(technical and financial) of PRCM for capacitybuilding after they were officially created, whereasother processes were indirectly influenced by theongoing PRCM dynamics (see table 1). Now thatPRCM phase 1 is coming to an end, four processesfor creating new MPAs are ongoing in threecountries with the direct support (technical andfinancial) of PRCM.If some sites - specific in character due to thebiological resources available therein- have alreadybeen identified in the Sub Region and benefit froma protection status, it is still necessary to identifythe sites and habitats which are not well known orunknown, with a view to ensuring a betterconservation of the areas. The first phase experiencedemonstrated a participatory dynamics as well as agrowing interest for the setting up of communityMPAs; however the creation process of some MPAshas not always led to a completion of long butnecessary preliminary negotiation phases amongvarious stakeholders.This aspect should be devoted particular attentionin the next phase.

The following tables give a summary of the level ofprogress of processes started since 2003.


Name Location Year ofcreation Area (ha) Management Plan Official Decree of

Recognition

Urok (a) Guinea Bissau 2005 54 500 Operational Yes

Cross borderBiosphere Reserve ofthe River SenegalDELTA (a)

Senegal &Mauritania

2005 641 768 Under development Yes

Joal Fadiouth (b) Senegal 2004 17 400 Under development Yes

Abene (b) Senegal 2004 11 900 No Yes

Kayar (b) Senegal 2004 17 100In the Process ofFinalization

Yes

Saint-Louis (b) Senegal 2004 49 600 No Yes

Bamboung (c) Senegal 2004 7 000 No Yes

Santa Luzia,Raso and Branco (b)

Cape Verde 2003 105 000Ongoing developmentProcess

Yes

Sal/Murdeira (b) Cape Verde 2003 2 063Ongoing developmentProcess

Yes

Îlot de Baluarte (c) Cape Verde 2003 No Yes

Îlot de Curralvelho (c)

Cape Verde 2003 No Yes

Tanbi wetlandcomplex (c)

The Gambia 2003 6 000Ongoing developmentprocess

Yes

(a) MPA that received a Full support from PRCM as part of their creation process.(b) Process that received a full support from PRCM after its official creation.(c) Process that indirectly received benefitted from the PRCM ongoing dynamics.

Name Location Area (ha) Process Status

Tristao and Alcatraz Guinea 85 000Negotiations within and between village communitiesand islands; identification of management rules in dueprocess.

Pointe St GeorgesSenegal(Casamance)

limites précisesen cours de

détermination

Negotiations between various communities;Identification of limits and management procedurein due process.

Petit CassaSenegal(Casamance)

En cours dedétermination

Setting up of local management entities;management rules proposals under discussion.

Baie de l'Etoile Mauritanialimites précises

en cours dedétermination

Ongoing Process of initial Dialogue betweenvarious stakeholders.

Table 2: MPA in creation with PRCM Support

Table 1: Officially Created MPAs


3. Improving MPA managementefficiency through human,institutional, material and financialcapacity building to the intentionof local stakeholders.

The MPAs management issue in Western Africa istightly linked to an availability of technical skills andsufficient financial resources. As a matter of fact,the boos currently experienced in the creation ofMPAs within the sub region required increasedneeds in national stakeholders managementcapacities. In view of an availability of technical skills andsufficient financial resources the boost that iscurrently experienced in the creation of MPAS in theSub-region involved increased needs in nationalstakeholders management capacities.PRCM partners have initiated synergy andcomplementary actions for backing upstakeholders' structuring on one hand; and theirparticipation to the MPAs management; along withan improvement of the main actors knowledge andthe availability of technical means on the other,with a view to scaling up interventions. On the sameoccasion, they have started a reflexion, though anincipient one, on MAPs financial sustainabilitypossibilities in Western Africa.

3.1. Putting in Place ParticipatoryManagement Mechanisms

The presence of traditional communities around orwithin the MPAs should no more be considered asan advantage for a sustainable management andoperation of MPAs. The approaches in favour ofdialogue, accountability and equitable access to thebenefits deriving from resources preservation andspaces concur to a better understanding and use ofMPAs management measures.

That is how: • Dialogue fora intended to gather various

protection actors and stake holders are organizedon a regular basis at the PNBA, in Urok, ParcNational d'Orango (PNO), at PNMJVP3, at theRBAB (the Biosphere Reserve of BijagosArchipelago) a dialogue framework for all actors isbeing set up on the TRISTAO islands

• Management structures involving representativesof various stakeholders operate at PNBA, atBamboung, at Joal Fadiouth, at Saint-Louis, atUrok, at PNO, at PNMJVP, at RBAB and discussionshave been engaged into with a view to creatinglocal entities in the other MPAS for a greater

involvement of local actors in managementmeasures implementation;

• Maritime Surveillance teams are comprised ofrepresentatives of the populations in Bamboungarchipelago MPAs, at the PNBA and the BijagosArchipelago MPAs;

• Participatory Surveillance actions are organized inthe PNBA et Urok, PNO, the PNMJVP, and at theRBAB with traditional authorities and officialservice units involved in marine and Coastalresources management;

• Participatory resources monitoring systems arebeing developed at the PNBA and Urok;

• Management plans of the Nivmi, National Parkthe Bijagos Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, theNational Park of Orango and that of Joao VieiraPoitao were updated during the years 2006 and2007 for updated, improved and more efficientneeds management;

• The conception of management plans for Sal andSanta Luzia in Cape Verde are in due process.

At sub-regional level, a reflexion has been initiatedto create a regional forum of MAP end users, with aview to ensuring a wider implication andconsideration of their interests in the regionaldynamics. A first series of discussions led to thedefinition of objectives, modus operandi and firstactions of this future forum.

3.2. Improving the Skills and Availability ofrelevant technical and logistical means foran efficient maritime surveillance

The regulation and effective application of measures,in particular through an efficient maritimesurveillance remains one of the major priorities ofMPA due to the growing pressure of illegal andunreported fishing activities. In some cases thestates face real difficulties in making sufficientsurveillance means available to the MPAs.

3 National Marine Park of Joao Viera Poiloao


The efforts made since 2004 for strengtheningmaritime surveillance capacities were concretizedthrough the implementation of a regional trainingprogramme. With the technical support of the officeFrançais de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage ONCFSfour annual training sessions strengthened thecapacities of 37 agents (8 captains) from fivecountries.A practical guide to the intention of surveillanceagents was finalized, printed in 3 languages andhanded over to the relevant national institutions.The guide was not only an important work forsurveillance agents, but during the 2007 trainingsession, it turned out to be a training and refreshertraining media for the agents.Efforts were also made on surveillance equipmentacquisition (vehicles equipment and motor boats).Thus, through the support of PRCM donors (MAVA,the Netherlands, Embassy, and the SpanishCooperation), five motor boats were acquired andput at disposal of the more exposed MPAs (ParkNational Banc d'Arguin PNBA, Orango National Park,PNO and Marine National Park of Joao VieraPoinloao PNMJVP) a sixth motor boat which wasmeant for the Niumi national park, was deliveredwith slight delay in February 2008.These capacity strengthening actions not onlyimproved the knowledge and capacities of agents toplan and conduct surveillance missions but alsoscaled up the efficiency and security of saidmissions, thus contributing to an improvedintervention capacity of protected areas managersface to likely infringements through these effortsrequire heavy investment at the beginning, theeffects are directly borne on species and habitatprotection as could be noticed for example on theSeals Coast in Mauritania, where efficient anddeterring surveillance actions were instrumental inthe spectacular recovery of the monk sealspopulation.In Guinée Bissau, the equipment helped insupporting the actions on the Fisheries Ministries ina first instance and stimulated the reconstitution ofa national fleet. On the other hand it allowed thedismantling of all fishing camps which settled intothe Orango and Joao Vieira Poilao Parks, thuscontributing to reducing significantly the pressureexerted on the resources inside these MPAs.

In the PNBA, the acquisition of motor boats led to a28% increase in the number of surveillance hours in2007. The 18% decrease observed on the number ofsecured traditional boats in 2007 compared to 2006despite a more sustained patrolling activity wouldfind its explanation in the low presence of poachersdue to inspection risks they are faced with inforbidden areas. Hence the assumption that heretoo, pressure decreases progressively as the parkintervention capacity increases.

3.3. Strengthening human capacities throughtraining and dialogue promotion

Institutional dialogue notably around the variousaspects linked to MAP management such assurveillance and law enforcement was encouragedamong MPAs, particularly at the PNBA, Niuminational park and in the Bijagos Archipelago MPAsand with services involved in coastal and marineresources management.A dozen of exchange visits to the benefit of MPAsusers and managers took place between variousMPAs, particularly in relation to the creation processand participatory management based on thenecessity to endow MPAs managers with knowledgeand tools; three regional training sessions werecarried out as part of participatory governancepromotion in 2005 in Bamboung, in 2006 in CapeVerde and in 2007 in Mauritania. As a total 113participants from pilot sites public services andcommunities benefitted from skills capacitystrengthening in co-management, socialcommunication, preparation processes,management agreements negotiation andfinalization, including conflict resolutions schemesfor litigation that arise during negotiation andimplementation phases as part of the training,incipient MPAs plans of action were reviewed andfinalized during mutual support sessions. Throughthe said visits and training sessions, various MPAsactors were able to exchange and mutuallystrengthen the different themes as related to thesetting-up and management of MPAs, andtherefore capitalized on their mutual experiences.


3.4. Putting in place sustainable fundingsystems for contribution to MPAmanagement

The MPA component also benefitted from PRCMactions in other fields, particularly in sensitizationand advocacy for political dialogue between theenvironment and other development sectorsand for a sustainable management of resources. TheMauritanian state has taken the sovereign decisionto allocate one part of the income derived fromfishing agreements with the European Union to thePNBA, the same for the DSPCM (fishing activitiesSurveillance Unit) and at IMROP (fisheries and

oceanographic research) which are institutionsunder Fisheries and the Ministry of MaritimeEconomy , as a recognition of the role that MPAsplay generally and that of the PNBA in fish stockconstitution in particular and biodiversity ingeneral. In addition, in that same park, a reflexionwas initiated for the creation of a Trust Fund.

The positive experience of PNBA and Mauritaniashould inspire other RAMPAO MPA members as wellas the rest of the countries through a regionaldialogue effort.

Sites Country Date ofcreation Area (Ha) Management and for

development plan

National Park of the Banc d'Arguin Mauritania 1976 1,170,000 Yes

Cap Blanc satellite Reserve Mauritania 1986 210 Yes

National Park of Diawling Mauritania 1991 16,000 Yes

National Park of the Deltadu Saloum

Senegal 1976 76,000 No

Réserve de Biosphèredu Delta du Saloum

Senegal 1984 180,000 Yes

MPA of joal Fadiouth Senegal 2004 17,400 Development process

MPA of Bamboug Senegal 2004 7,000 No

National Park of Niumi The Gambia 1986 4,940 Yes. Updating process

RB Arquipelago Bolema Bijagos Guinea Bissau 1996 839,200 Yes. Updating process

Parque Nacional de Orango Guinea Bissau 2000 158,200 Yes. Updating process

Parque Nacional Marinhode Joao Vieira e Poilao

Guinea Bissau 2000 49,513 Yes. Updating process

Urok islands MPA Guinea Bissau 2005 54,500 Yes

Santa Lucia Reserve Cape Verde 2003 105,000Ongoing developmentprocess

Sal/Murdeira Reserve Cape Verde 2003 2,063Ongoing developmentprocess

Future MPA Islands of Tristaoand Alcatraz

Cape Verde Is in due course 85,000 No

Table 3: MPA which received PRCM support for capacity strengthening in management skills


3.5. Contribution of MPA to the criticalhabitats socio economic and ecologicalprotection and preservation of relatedfocal species

The effective implementation of managementmechanisms in the MPAs contribute to protecting

Marine Protected Areas Habitats Protected and related focal species

National Park of Banc d'ArguinGrass beds, sandbanks, muddygrounds, rocky areas, sandy bea-ches, desert environment

Selacii, (guitar ray, nurse shark) sea mam-mals (Tursiops truncates, Souza teuszii etOrcinus orca), yellow mullet, atlantic croa-ker , migratory and afro tropical birds, seaturtles, dorcas gazelles

Satellite Reserve of Cap Blanc Sandstone limestone rock, Monk seal

Marine National Parkof Joao Vieira

Sandy beaches, muddy groundsmangrove, sandbanks, forests,grass beds

Sea turtles, water birds, grey parrots(E rythacus psittacus), rays and sharks

National park of OrangoMangroves savannah, lagoons,sand beaches, muddy grounds,grass beds

Manatees, hippos, sea turtles, dolphins,water birds, rays, sharks, crocodiles

Community MPA of UrokMangroves, muddy grounds,forests, sand beaches, tannes,(salt marshes)

Manatees, shells (Anadara senilis, Tagellus,adansonii, Pgilina morio, Cymbium sp.),water birds (greater flamingos, herons andshore birds), hippos, otter, selacii

Community MAP of Bamboung Mangroves, muddy groundsManatees, numerous marine species(coastal demersal species, coastal palgicspecies, shrimps, mollusc)

Integral Reserve of Santa LuziaCoral reef, mountainous dunes,inter tidal zone

Birds, in particular (the Calonectrisedwarddsii petrel, the meadowlark of RasoAlauda Razae, the red billed tropic birdPhaeton aethereus, the Sula leucogaster,the osprey (pandion haliaetus), theRhincodon typus ray sharks, dolphins,marine turtles (Caretta caretta), corals

Natural Reserve of SalCoral Communities Millepora alci-cornis, Siderastrea radians, Poritesastreoides, favia fragum

Marine turtles (Caretta caretta andChelonia mydas), bumped whales(Megaptera novaeangliae), red billed tropicbird (Phaeton aethereus), Ospreys, (Pandionhaliaetus),strombs, (Strombus latus porgies,Diplodus sargus lineatus, Diplodusprayensis)

Niumi National ParkMangroves, muddy grounds,savannah

Manatee, dolphin, whales, and sea turtles

NP of the Saloum DeltaSmall islands, sand banks, tannes(salt marshes), mangroves, clearforests, savannah areas

Manatees, sea colony birds, dolphins,sea turtles

Table 3: Direct Contribution of MPA to the protection of habitats and related species

critical habitats for the preservation of relatedemblematic or strategic species - Ecologicalmonitoring and surveillance actions supported byPRCM mainly took place in the PNBA, PNMJVP, PNOand are under preparation in Casamance, at Tristaoand Urok. According to MPAs, we bring a directcontribution to the protection of the critical habitatsand related species cited here under:


4. Improving the integration of MPAsin Sub regional countries nationalinternational and sector policies

The legal framework is undoubtedly the basis forthe recognition of the specificity and importance ofMPAs on one hand, and the reference frameworkfor the protection, management and promotion ofMPAs at national and cross border level on theother.

As in the all other fields related to sustainablemanagement of marine and coastal resources,dialogue among MPA and other institutionsresponsible for sector development has beenpromoted with a view to further integrate MPAs asmanagement tools.Therefore, through the efforts of local stakeholdersand government institutions, significant resultswere noted in three countries, which give accountof the growing awareness of MPAs in fishing andpreservation sector measures.

• In Guinea Bissau the decree on the officialcreation of the UROK community waspromulgated in 2005. From 2006, MPA are bytheir names referred to as areas in which fishingis forbidden as spelled out clearly in fishinglicences.

• In Mauritania, the promulgation in 2006 of twoenforcement decrees of law 2000/024 on thedevelopment, conservation, preservation andsurveillance of the PNBA. These tools furtherreinforced the ongoing efforts at country level toregulate essential resources access andexploitation inside MPAs

• In Guinée an inter-ministerial steering committeeon the process of creating Tristao and AlcatrazIslands MPAs was set up as early as 2005. The saidcommittee is comprised of representatives ofvarious ministries, notably Fisheries, Environment,Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Planning,Economy, Defence Departments as well as otherresearch institutions and civil society. This multisector composition is a sign of good will fromGuinean authorities who right from the beginningtook into account the MPAs creation process aspart of the various development sectors policymeasures.

• In Senegal, an administrative decision is taken bythe inter ministerial technical committee that wasmandated to facilitate the coordination of MPAScreation as well the definition of concerted MPA

management procedures. The creation of suchcommittee which is comprised of the varioustechnical units of Environment, Maritime Fishing,Armed Forces and Interior Ministries is anillustration of the admitted necessity to improvethe legal framework and collaboration betweenvarious ministries involved in the marine andcoastal resources management.

• A study was equally carried out towards the endof the phase, with the objective to undertake acomparative analysis of legal frameworks relativeto protected areas at sub regional level and makerecommendations for their improvement andprogressive harmonization at sub regional level. Itis however noted that efforts remain to be madein some countries, with a view to clarifyingprotected areas legislative framework in generaland MPAs in particular, concerning theinstitutional anchoring in particular.

Technical support and actions along with thesensitization of authorities are still to be carried outfor the creation or improvement of the variouscountries MPAS legal framework.

A growing inter sector collaboration dynamicsfor an efficient and concerted management ofMPAS

Dynamics of inter sector collaboration areprogressively being developed during the phase;however the volume and intensity of activities canbe increased with regard to areas and fields whichare yet to be covered. In the field of maritimesurveillance particularly activities are sharedbetween parks and reserves such as the PNBA,PNO, PNMJVP and the RBABB in addition tofisheries surveillance services in Mauritania andGuinée Bissau. Collaboration links have beenexisting for a long time between PNBA and IMROPwhich inspired other MPAs for the sub region inthe conception of collaboration protocols withresearch institutions, notably in Guinée Bissau(between IBAP and CIPA ).


5. Experience capitalization in MPAcreation and management wasessentially made through exchangeand study visits between variousMPAs.

On the other hand, many training workshop wereheld on key topics related to MPA managementsuch as participatory management, surveillance,management efficiency evaluation; these wereopportunities for exchange and mutual knowledgebuilding for high level managers, agents and MPAsusers.Studies carried out in the various MPAs led - atvarious levels of progress- to the development of atypology of actors, the validation of naturalresources units and dialogue around consensualmanagement measures; the identification ofmanagement issues and priorities, mapping andaccess rules as well as the conception of a commonvision for stakeholders.Articles of scientific interest and variouscommunication media for a knowledge andpromotion of MPAs were drafted on various marineprotected areas. Best practices dissemination wasmade in situ through much instructive exchangevisits to community representatives on one handand managers on the other.As part of participatory management capacitybuilding and the various actors' involvement in theprocess of MPA creation and management, a guideon MPAs participatory management is beingdesigned for trainers and political authorities.The guide will be based and shall capitalize on otherfew successful examples and best practices issuedfrom the sub region in the field of MPAparticipatory management.

ConclusionTangible progress was made as to the creation andmanagement of MPAs and the establishment of aregional network of MPA in western Africa.The role of local communities in the setting up andconcerted management of protected sites is moreand more recognized and institutionalizedparticularly with the creation of community MPAs.Institutional dialogue should be actively supportedto favour collaboration between MPAs and thevarious institutions involved in the management ofmarine and coastal resources.Therefore, a more systematic inter ministerialdialogue is noted along with the recognition ofMPAs as a management policy tool for fisheries byvarious actors. Though, in view of the cases ofincoherence which is still high, such inter sectordialogue seem to be poorly efficient and needs to bestrengthened. The Praia SRFC Ministers Meeting inOctober 2006 which recognized the MPAs as afisheries management tool will probably boost thedynamics and promote inter sector dialogue at leastbetween the Fishing and EnvironmentDepartments for a better knowledge of the role ofMPAs and increase in means allocated for theirmanagement.PRCM should, during phase 2, take up the challengeto ensure better efficiency as part of the MPA plansand other management tools implementation, whileensuring that the latter represent a coherent systemof marine protected areas which can positivelyimpact on the ecosystem quality regional level. Witha view to harmonizing approaches and promotinggood practices as identified during phase I, aguidance document on MPA creation processshould be developed to offer a framework ofreferences to all stakeholders in the sub-region.Sustainable alternative mechanisms should beidentified for MPAs and implementation plansproposed in the second phase.The economic valorisation of MPAs services andbiodiversity in general, which as now is not muchtangible, should undoubtedly serve as a catalyst toestablishing favourable public policies and to themobilization of sustainable funding.PRCM and its partners should strive, in the secondphase to produce communication media andcapitalize on good practices for the creation ofMPAs; and highlight successful experiences ofMPAs, in order to ensure a better structuring ofapproaches and knowledge of MPA creation andmanagement.


The objective of implementing that

component was to «strengthen the

status of conservation of critical

habitats along with patrimonial

species in the eco-region covered by

PRCM».

The expected results were: 1. The level of knowledge and its dissemination

is improved both at national and sub-regional level through sub-regionalcollaboration,

2. Eco-regional preservation plans weredeveloped in a participatory manner,

3. Technical and institutional capacities arestrengthened,

4. Experiences issued from the component arecapitalized / valorised in order to changebehaviours and make impact on policies,

5. Common IEC operations are implemented aspart of an integrated approach.

Sharks, rays, manatees, sea turtles, seal monks arethe target species in view of their emblematic andpatrimonial nature, and of overexploitation, as faras sharks are concerned. As to the mangrove, it wasraised in the component both as a species and ahabitat. However, there are other threatened speciescovered by the program but equally a modestprogram of habitat preservation through the coralreefs conservation project in Cape Verde.

1. Habitats Preservation

Various initiatives from IUCN and WetlandsInternational on mangroves were brought togetherto constitute a coherent set at eco-regional level.Globally, the mangroves initiative in Western AfricaIMAO (MIWA) has been started to implementcollaboration actions with all involved actors bothfor resources exploitation (agriculture, fishing,wood exploitation, salt production....) andecosystem preservation or restoration (officials,research, NGOs, communities etc...) with theobjective to make actors adopt preservation andvalorisation practices which will guarantee in fine awell balanced environment.

In 2007 a launching workshop was convened withnational focal points and the project promoters soas to define procedures and collaboration methods,as well as partnership issues. Besides, a regionalworkshop gathered 81 participants representingstakeholders, for experience sharing and a reviewover of intervention priorities with a view to devisea regional Charter and a Plan Action. The solemncommitment of parliamentarians during the closingsession illustrated, at the highest level, howparticipants were ready to be involved. Studies werecarried out in ecology / climate sciences, socio-economics and mappings; they were subject torestitution and feedback during workshops whichmobilised resource persons from each country.Studies in Forestry and Policy, similar to thosealready carried out by IUCN Senegal, The Gambia,Guinée Bissau were carried out in Mauritania,Guinée, Sierra Leone within the perspective of afuture regional Charter.


2. Improving the level of knowledgeon species as well as habitatsand dissemination

Actions carried out to this effect led to importantdata collection with professionals and populations,and the completion of in-depth studies wasachieved in order to improve scientific knowledge.The said studies focused on the operation ofecosystems and resources as related to humanactivities carried out therein, as well as sociocultural representations with regard to someemblematic and patrimonial species. The action ofPRCM and its partners was among others to build aregional network of observers, the preparation ofdocuments meant for knowledge capitalization anddissemination.

Putting in place data bases for species follow-up Rays and sharks referred to as Sharks are among thespecies which suffer the most from fishing activityconsequences. All along the first phase, PRCMpartners, under the leadership of FIBA and the tightcollaboration with the SRFC worked for a betterunderstanding of rays and sharks in order to furthertarget and ensure a coordination of preservationactions. As a consequence, a data base on sharkswas developed to allow the disclosure andvalorisation of information on stocks status andexploitation.This information as issued from by-catch surveys byresearch institutions as part of PAN-Requins (SharkNational Plan of Action) and data bases of “thefisheries information system and analysis - SIAP”, aProject funded by the European Union andImplemented by the SRFC from 2000 to 2002.

Studies implementation and documentscapitalizationAs part of PRCM many actions were favoured by thesynergetic of a multiplicity of actors working in the

sea sector and which allowed to documentknowledge on Sharks.

The major results are as follows:- An identification guide of species (rays and

sharks) was printed in there languages (French,English, Portuguese) and disseminated toresearchers, scientific observers, managers ofPAN-Requins, fisheries professionals anddecision-makers.

- In collaboration with the Noé Conservation NGO,surveys on coastal communities empiricalknowledge on saw fishes and threatened sharkspecies were carried out. Surveys were made in 5countries (The Gambia, Guinée, Guinée Bissau,Mauritania and Senegal). Following theseenquiries one initiative for the preservation of thesaw-fish is in process in the biosphere Reserve ofthe Bijago's Archipelago, which would constituteone of the last sanctuary of the species in the eco-region.

- Project data base valorisation and SIAP Projectdata bases enabled an updating of the IUCN RedList for Western Africa Sharks and contributed toclassifying saw fishes in annexes I and II of CITES

- A study led to the characterization of specializedfishing sites in 6 countries (The Gambia, Guinée,Guinée Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and SierraLeone)

- A synthesis of the trajectory of elasmobranchs(ray and sharks) in 7 countries of the SRFC led toa better understanding of sharks exploitationgenesis and dynamics in SRFC space.

- The compilation of data on biology and fishingstatistics for some species on some countries(Senegal, Mauritania, Sierra Leone) as well as thedescription of shark fishing actors in Senegal,Mauritania and Guinée Bissau are available

- A document on the project results capitalizationwill be edited during the year 2008, which is theoutcome of the project's achievementcapitalization workshop during its first phase.

The eco-region covered by PRCM is characterized bythe presence of important populations of turtles,green and cacouane turtles in particular. Under theconduct of WWF and in partnership with national(DPN and GIRMAC (Senegal), INDP (Cape Verde),Natura 2000 (Cape Verde), CNSHB (Guinée), theIBAP (Guinée Bissau), PND and PNBA, (Mauritania)


and regional institutions (URTOMA), WetlandsInternational), a plan of action was conceived andimplemented as part of PRCM from 2005. Duringthat phase, partners' efforts allowed to put at thedisposal of actors knowledge skills and tools for abetter preservation of marine turtles.

A relevant documentation is available on thefollowing themes:- The exploitation of the marine turtle in Joal

Fadiouth: importance and evolution trends;

- Ethno zoological knowledge on sea turtles in theWest Africa marine eco-region (Senegal,Mauritania, Cap Vert, Gambia, Guinée, GuinéeBissau);

- A Guide for the identification biology and followup of the marine turtles laying beaches in WesternAfrica.

The West Africa manatee, a major aquatic mammalof secret habits living in the rivers and mangroves,is part of the eco-region's emblematic species. Theactivities piloted by Wetlands International allowedto have an idea of the species status at the level ofthe sub-regional coastal area and the acquisition ofadditional elements on the knowledge of species.With this information, a regional strategy for theconservation of the species has been devisedthrough the collaboration of the various actorsconcerned in the region. With a view to improvingknowledge and contributing to its conservation,four major books were written in collaboration withregional partners.

- A Bibliographic synthesis of the manatee status inWestern Africa;

- A survey report on the status of the manatee inthe 6 sub-regional countries in which it is presentand the validation of documents during nationalfora (The Gambia, Guinée Bissau, Mauritania,Sierra Leone et Senegal);

- The manatee distribution map in Western Africa;

- Various information targeted posters on the roleplayed by the manatee in local communities'myths and cultures, which put an emphasis on thethreats the species is faced with.

In addition, a scientific and school booklet havebeen developed which will be disseminated at thebeginning of the second phase.

Through surveys made in six PRCM countries andnational reports compilation in other Africancountries a relevant data base exists now on thestatus of the species notably as to the countries inwhich it is present, its population, socio-economicvalue, legal status and recommendations on thespecies preservation.Besides, with these new scientific data, PRCM bringsits contribution to the species classification at theannex 1 of CITES.Water birds which get reproduced in colony areparticularly vulnerable.It is undoubtedly such vulnerability, associated withthe spectacular character of their concentrationthat led to the creation of many marine protectedareas. As fish consumers, they also constituteindicators of the situation of their preys. Under thedirection of wetlands International, anidentification guide of otoliths was produced aswell as a manual for monitoring breeding colonies.All the information collected on main speciesbiology and ecology were disseminated in variousreports.

The monk seal is part of the 10 most extinctionthreatened mammals in the world. The reproductioncolony is located along the Cap Blanc Peninsula.In collaboration with Mauritanian Institutions andwith the support of the Bonn Convention, the NgoCBD-Habitat is implementing a species salvationplan to register the birth growth which has reachedpeak levels in 2006 (48 births) and in 2007 (46births). The project contributed to improvingknowledge in producing a brochure on accountablefishing drawn to 16000 copies in 5 languages anddisseminated with the support of the SpainCooperation Nauta program. A comprehensiveInternet site has also been put in place(www.monachus.es) with a view to providing mostrelevant information on the species.


Establishing a network of observersfor the Identified species An efficient preservation plan implementationrequires the mobilization of actors for datacollection and species monitoring. During the firstphase of the program a network of observers wasestablished for each of the species, notably seaturtles, sharks and the manatee. Given the fact thata number of issues are common not only to thethree groups of species but also to other speciesand habitats of the region, and that technical andhuman resources could be pooled for improvedefficiency, a network for the protection of marineand coastal biodiversity in western Africa (BIOMAC)is being conceived. Initiators are getting closer tothe convention on migratory species- CMS with aview to pooling resources.

3. Developing regional and nationalparticipatory preservation plans

National action plans - PAN- Requins of Senegaland Guinée were made official through decrees. Astrong communication around the official adoptionin 2006 of these actions Plans through the PRCMNetwork and that of CAPE (Coalition For EquitableFisheries Agreement) created a positive competition

among the region's political authorities. As aconsequence Mauritania adopted its national actionplan whereas in Cape Verde the plan of actionobjectives for sharks' protection was integrated intothe National Fisheries Management Plan. In theGambia, Guinée Bissau, Sierra Leone action planswere discussed with all concerned actors whoapproved the requirement and are waiting for statesto approve them through official action. A plan ofaction for the conservation of sea turtles wasadopted in Guinée Bissau where it is beingimplemented, whereas in Cape Verde the draftinghas just been completed which is to be officiallyapproved.Concerning the manatee, national preservationplans were designed in all PRCM interventioncountries unless for Sierra Leone and were fed intothe strategy for conservation of the manatee whichthe Abidjan Convention focal points were deeplyinvolved in.The sub-region Plan of Action for the conservationof sea mammals is, for its part, being finalized.

4. Strengthening Technicaland Institutional Capacities

The strengthening of actors capacities isone of the necessary leverage for sustainingconservation actions and strategies. Within suchperspective, PRCM partner efforts, in collaborationwith other international actors, concentrated onregional or local training sessions to the benefit ofactors as well as the organization and facilitation ofexchange visits among actors coming from variousareas.


As a consequence, the following training sessionswere initiated:

- Four regional training sessions on speciesidentification ecology, biology, statistical datacollection and the management of shark fisheries.The sessions were targeted 7 SRFC memberscountries citizens notably the managers of PAN-Requins, fisheries technicians and observersembarked on vessels i.e a total number of 90participants

- Two training sessions on sea mammals to thebenefit of Mauritanian research conservation andsurveillance technical agents.

- As to the improvement of actors capacity forprotecting sea turtles, two regional trainingcamps were held on the technical follow-up ofmarine turtles egg laying sites identification.

As part of the research on colony birds, trainingsessions on birds reproduction parameters and foodregime data collection were organized for the 5national parks staff of the Sub Region.

5. Capitalizing and ValorizingExperiences in View of a Changein Behavior and Policy ImpactAchievement

Partners were able to identify in some actors'successful experiences the elements required formobilization and adhesion of other actors.Endogenous knowledge and actions by mobilizedcommunities to adopt practices favorable to speciesconservation were valorized through various mediabased on the thematic that was dealt with.• The fact that fishermen stopped fishing selachii in

the PNBA was presented as an experience to theInternational Symposium on “Charting a Courseof Action For the future of Oceans “ (Vancouver,February 2005) .

• The PLAN-Requin implementation experiencewithin the SRFC space was presented at theEuropean Conference of Selachii in November2007 at Brest (France).

• A Film on the conditions for shark fishingemergence and development in the SRFC waspresented and will be broadcast on SRFC membercountries national television networks andthrough mobile projections.

• The national strategy for the manateeconservation was launched and presented duringthe COP 5 of the Abidjan convention in 2007. Theelements of the strategy were also reported on aspart of a CMS meeting : “Western Africadiscussions on whales and their habitats”(WATCH).The results of the sea turtles prospectionCampaign in the Tristao (Guinea ) Archipelagowere analyzed and presented under the form ofan advertising poster.

• Presence of sea turtle in the previouslyunexplored island of Tristao Guinea” at the 27th

annual meeting of the International sea TurtleSociety (ISTS) (Myrtle Beach , South Carolina ,February 2007 ) .

• Finally the study on the “exploitation of the seaturtle at Joal-Fadiouth: “importance andevolution trends” made recommendations onalternative activities. Furthermore, discussionswith former exploiters (fishermen, sellers etc…..)of marine turtles in Fadiouth allowed to create anassociation to protect sea turtles protection anddevelop micro-credit schemes for actorsretraining

6. Establishing regulatory toolsfavorable to conservation in thecountries of the Sub Region

The PRCM partners' approach is to work as a paralleltowards adopting regulatory tools at nationalregional\international level. Consequently resultsissued from NAP-Sharks surveys led to the proposalof regulatory measures favorable to conservation.The convening of a workshop for updating the IUCNRed List of selachii in Western Africa gathered 25


Scientists from England, USA, Portugal, Russia andFrance as well as participants from the 7 SRFCmember countries which allowed an updating ofthe status of 42 species. Thus, are now classified inthe category of critical extinction risk the followingspecies: Rhynchobatus, Lübberti, Negaprianbrevirostris Sphyrna mokarran, Pristidae. TheRinabatos Cemiculus, Rhinobatos rhinobatos,Rhynchobatus are in danger of extinction. TheGymnura altavela and Leptocharias smithi, Sphyrnalewinii are in the category of vulnerable species.Equally, the status of saw-Fishes was revised in June2007 as part of CITES, this is how the Pritispectinata species and Pristis pristis were put inannex I and the Pristis microdon in annex II.

7. Information-Education-Communication-IEC- and Advocacycommon Actions Implemented Bymeans Of An Integrated Approach

While mobilizing their networks for sensitization onthe status of targeted species conservation, PRCMorganizations also developed communicationstrategies to inform and educate the public at largeand some key groups of actors. The manateebulletin was edited and information publications onthat species are published twice a year in Sirenewswithhttp://www.sirenian.org/sirenews.html. A website is functional and give essential information onthe species, project and available communicationtools along with a network of scientific experts andnational focal points.

Likewise, articles on sharks were published inscientific magazines and national plans of actionwere made official which led to IEC activities withthe production of communication media, targetingthe public at large. In order to level-up the adhesionto the manatee conservation, a film was producedon the salvation of a manatee trapped in Senegal“SOS Lamatin: Kanel se mobilise” (Save the manatee:Kanel Gets Mobilized). The film is also projectedduring international events.

More generally, IEC campaigns on the necessity toprotect turtles guided their efforts toward thepublic at large (T-Shirts, flyers, posters, site web),experts (scientific booklet). A greater integratedcommunication impact on targeted species is felt atthe level of organization leaders which allowed theconception of sensitization campaigns onnumerous species. The allocation by the Ross Bethiorural community of 250ha for the creation of afuture community reserve to protect manatees andturtles around the Lac de Guiers testifies of Rivercommunities' interest in protecting targetedspecies.


As part of PRCM, the fisheries

management component has for

objective to “Promote a sustainable

exploitation of marine resources which

pay due respect to the integrity and

operation of ecosystems and

participate to socio-economic

development.

Expected results were:1. Concerted and accountable methods of sea

resources management are developed and/orstrengthened;

2. The Institutional Capacities of SRFC MemberStates and bodies are strengthened;

3. The economic and social status ofcommunities (fishermen processors'communities …) is locally improved throughvalorization and support to alternativeincome generating activities;

4. Experiences and knowledge of managementmethods, resources and products valorizationare capitalized and disseminated.

Concerning the global dimension of fishing whichrepresents in the region a sector of considerablesocial and economic importance, the initiativesengaged into by PRCM are undoubtedly modest.Deriving from experiences developed in marineprotected areas, PRCM projects contributed toidentifying an innovative approach which givesascribes a lead role to co-management within eachfisheries, along with a parallel integration ofresearch, management and development. Thoughthese projects were carried out as experiments atlocal level for some and at borders for others, theprivileged collaboration with the sub-regionalFisheries Commission -SRFC would have favoredconditions for a likely capitalization of experiencesat regional level.

1. Developing or StrengtheningConcerted Management Methods

Common Management Planon Countries Shared Stocks Though the countries that have not yet reached thelevel of a really harmonized management of sharedstocks or of common interest to date,recommendations for establishing cross bordermanagement plans were issued from the September2006 Praia workshop on artisanal fishing, organizedby the SRFC, does confirm the interest of the SRFCmember states to develop concerted managementmethods to the benefit of fisheries.In sharing such observation and understanding thenecessity to support efforts by SRFC member statesto use Fisheries concerted management methods,PRCM partners developed concrete actions andstrived on the other hand, to implement therecommendations issued from the Praia Workshop.Therefore, and as part of PRCM, the Support Projectto a Concerted Management of mullet, Atlanticcroaker, and blue fish stocks shared between


Mauritania and Senegal, under the leadership ofIUCN, aims at establishing a mullet fishingmanagement plan between Senegal and Mauritania.Such plan has not yet been developed but fisheriesare subject to monitoring and the process isongoing. Collaboration between the Centre deRecherche Océanographique de Dakar Thiaroye(CRODT) in Senegal and l'Institut Mauritanien deRecherche Océaonographique et de Pêches -IMROPled to the setting up of joint task forces in the twocountries which developed a data analysis on thethree targeted species from 2005 to 2007 . Likewise,a diagnosis of mullet fishing in Mauritania andSenegal was made with all concerned actors onboth issues related to research, exploitation andsurveillance, as well as on valorization andmarketing concerted management and planning

Disseminating concerted management methodto the intention of numerous fisheriesAll the initiatives carried out with PRCM on thefishing sector have presented a number of elementsas factors for success which were promoted as such.Therefore, co-management is now considered as abasic principle which allows all actors in a givenfisheries (fishermen, vessel owners, fish sellers,administration services, researchers and NGOs) toimplement a concerted resource exploitationsystem. Furthermore, the eco systemic andintegrated approaches of scientific research,fisheries management and development actions aretwo additional success factors as part of fisheriesmanagement initiatives implementation. Theconcerted management support project on mullet,Atlantic croaker and blue fish shared stocksbetween Senegal and Mauritania has largelycontributed to strengthening the relationshipbetween fisheries administration entities andprofessional organizations in the two countries. Atlocal level, initiatives for a concerted management

The agreements signed between the African States andthe E.U are subject to comments, analysis, and oftencritics from international observers (States, NGOs, andother international institutions.) One of the reasons islinked to the fact that they are midway between sectorpolicy (Common Fisheries Policy) and developmentsupport policy. Hence the presence of two departmentunits within E.U having contradictory positions most ofthe time, as to their intentions and understanding offishing agreements. NGOs specialized in Europeancooperation policy issues have highlighted the negativeeffects of the agreements as to sea resourcesoverexploitation and denounced unbalanced negotiationconditions. Finally, international organizations in chargeof international regulations denounce the saidagreement because the financial compensation resemblesto subsidies; which leads to an increased interest in overexploiting the resourc.

Despite all critics, European agreements are everlasting.Only if they are changed into partnership agreements byvirtue of which one part of the financial compensationis directly paid to the fishing sector, a real innovationcould not be achieved; whereas neither negotiationprocedures nor signed agreements formats can be thesame.

The negation of a commercial vision of the agreement issuch that no concrete solution is implemented bycountries of the sub region. The permanent claim for noncommercial agreement leaves the African countriesgovernments in a non economic vision of the fishingactivity as well as an ambiguous vision of the role playedby the fisheries sector in the development of Africaneconomic systems. The importance of the fisheries sectoreconomic share is almost always underestimated. Thepotential revenues of the resources associated toefficient regulation mechanisms which requires that overexploitation and overloading situations are corrected arebut rarely estimated as an indicator of the sector'scontribution. Therefore, the technical part ofnegotiations (volume of negotiable rights, set oftechnical measures and conditions for establishment,follow-up, and control) would become homogeneousand would be integrated to management plans withoutany a priori technical discrimination, unless to correctcomparative advantages which are non compliant tointernational trade rules (subsidies for example).

Negotiation preparation could equally benefit from abetter coordination, within fisheries regionalorganizations. For instance the organizations could helpin sharing the analysis of environment as well as data onthe content of fisheries management plans and theenforced exploitation systems.

Many NGO support projects (WWF, IUCN) for instance inWestern Africa or other international initiatives havetried to improve international agreements technicalnegotiation capacity. The paradox of these negotiationsis that they are complex as to the composition of


of shells in the Saloum area led to the emergence ofdialogue and negotiation dynamics between thevarious categories of local actors on themanagement and sustainable conservation ofresources in Dionewar, Niodior, Falia, and Fadiouthvillages. The organization of inter-village exchangemeetings led to a concerted definition and adoptionof resources management rules as ensured bysurveillance committees which were established onthe basis of democracy rule. Therefore, theintervention capacity of surveillance committeesthrough the establishment of an institutionalsupport mechanism enables the observance of anaffective biological rest in Niodior, Dionewar, andFalia villages. However, the growing presence ofexternal exploitation agents makes it difficult toimplement such measure.

Conflict Mitigation between intercommunityand regional tradesTraining sessions on intercommunity conflictmanagement to the benefit of professionalsexploiting the same resource were organized inMauritania and Senegal. They have demonstratedthat there is an interest in solving frequent crisisbetween users, or between users and administrationentities. What remains to be done is to extend thesetraining sessions to other countries of the sub-region. The events that occurred between the Cayarand the Guet Ndar Communities in Senegal is aproof of the requirement to train actors so as toprevent such conflicts.

Vulnerable Resources Access Limitation RulesPRCM partners have also worked in collaborationwith fisheries public administration entities for theuse of specific permits for fishing sharks in Guinéeand Sierra Leone as well as the official recognitionof Sharks Plans of Action in Senegal and Guinée.These measures have also for objective to limit theaccess to vulnerable resources. However, to date,only the shark is subject to such limitation andmerely in Guinée and Sierra Leone.

negotiators groups and their diverging objectives. Inreality, they should have been simple due to the subjectunder negotiation since it is about negotiating naturalresources exploitation rights.

These are negotiations where stakeholders are not equalin strength: (1) preparation of a supra nationalorganization (in the case of Europe facing one State (or2), representation of a private professionals associationfacing a state in the case of agreements with Asiancountries or (3) representation of a State facing anotherState but under the aegis of a North/South relationship.Stakeholders attending these meetings are numerous,and sit for multiple interest, each party being part of anational delegation. Objectives can even contradict oneanother due to the very nature of public policies whichoften target many contradictory objectives ; i.e increasein the number of staff members, improved efficiency,modernization and increased contribution of fisheries topublic revenues, trade balance, currency income etc….Tosimplification ends, negotiations should be based on aglobal diagnosis including: i) needs in productionmeans; ii) the quantity of resources that could beallocated through these rights international agreements;ii) the needs as associated to a control of rights.

Each State should express its development preferenceson the basis of the intrinsic value of its marine resources(marine economic benefits) and obligations.

Building the negotiation capacities are important for thecountries of the sub-region in the sense that they arenot endowed with relevant technical skills to get ofteninvolved in complex and hard negotiation processes.

However, it is important to keep in mind that suchcapacity building should also be made through technicaland economic advice, arising from situations faced withand which aim at impacting on the content and thesensible significance to be given to national and regionalpublic policies


2. Regional Negotiation CapacityStrengthening and FisheriesGovernance

The industrial fishing concerted management andpolicy harmonization among countries constituteone of SRFC main objective with whom PRCM hassigned a partnership agreement. Consequently,upon request of Ministries in charge of fishing inthe SRFC member states, a new web site wasdeveloped www.accordsdepeche.com as part of thefishing agreements negotiation capacity buildingproject, which led to a strengthening of regionalcooperation mechanisms. Still in tight cooperationwith the SRFC a fishing agreements negotiationcapacity building manual was developed and atraining held in Dakar in October 2007. It allowedparticipants to better take into account theirnational experiences in the content of the manualand exchange on the fishing agreements theme.

PRCM partners are equally involved in the issue ofindustrial exploitation of cherry stones clams inMauritania which was subject to a solicitation fromNetherlands ship owners.Due to important environmental hazards(degradation of the substratum, waters turbidity inthe proximity of the PNBA) and socio-economic(impact on artisanal fisheries) technical advice wasgiven to the Ministry for Fisheries and theconcerned stakeholders during a workshop thatgathered 40 participants. An importantdocumentation on this type of fisheries throughoutthe World (Netherlands, France, Argentina, Usa) wascompiled on a DVD. The workshop concluded with aset of recommendations that notably urged not toopen commercial fishing activity before sound andrelevant impact studies are carried out onexperimental fishery.

3. Products valorization and Supportto the creation of incomegenerating activities for fishermenand the community of processors

Artisanal fishing products valorization has beendeveloped with the perspective to reduce fishingefforts through decreased losses inherent to by-catch surpluses.

Improving the quality of traditionalfish productsProduct valorization is progressive and remainslocalized; it concerns only a restricted number ofproducts and countries.

- In Senegal, initiatives for improving the safety ofmarine products and landing sites were carriedout in Cayar, in collaboration with the cityadministration. Training sessions in hygiene andmarketing were delivered with the objective toincreasing fish products added value to thebenefit of trade associations (Groupementd'interet Economique-GIE) of shell collectingwomen in the Saloum area. The supported GIEparticipated to national trade fairs to ensure thepromotion of their products.

- In Mauritania, actions emphasized on theimprovement of tishtar (mullet meat) qualityconservation and the bottargua (dried mullet eggsthrough the vacuum drying package system andloss minimization. Such support went to 10cooperatives comprised of 445 women throughtraining in sea products processing hygiene, theacquisition of tiny material, and credits, thesetting up of a conservation and packaging unitalong with the building of traditional sea productsselling depot of Imraguen at Nouakchott as wellas the promotion of these products.


Important achievements were made for the Bancd'Arguin mullet fishery eco certification, as well asfor the perspective of labeling the bottargua. Aftera workshop held in Mauritania, the said fishery wasselected by the Marine Stewardship Council -MSCas a case study for developing guidelines to be usedfor the eco labeling of small scale fisheries in theSouthern Hemisphere countries.

Alternative development activitiesto the fisheryTo support the resources sustainable managementprocess, the initiatives undertaken as part of PRCMwithin the fisheries management component weresustained with development actions. They consistedin essentially putting credit lines at the disposal ofactors and delivering management training tosupport income generating alternative activities.Therefore, the setting up of a savings mutual fundfor the Cayar women led to an increase in thenumber of women-initiated activities. Besides,equipment was made available to womenprocessors and a school program for fishermen'schildren initiated as part of the Cayar sea resourcescommunity management project.With a view to diversifying their activities otherthan processing, a micro credit fund wasestablished for developing small alternativeactivities (millet hulling, running small shops, ) for aGIE of shell collecting women. A technical supportwas brought to another women's economicassociation to help them develop their forestproducts processing and marketing. The varioussupport actions all had for objective to offer realalternatives to a category of actors and incentivesto comply with targeted management measures.

4. Knowledge and experiencecapitalization of managementmethods and products valorization

The internet site on fishing agreements(www.accordsdepeche.com) is a tool whichfacilitates the availability of the information sharedby various countries of the SRFC. It has been openedto fishing agreements in general including regionalfishing accords. It has been validated by the SRFC.The fishing agreements training guide is tocomplete knowledge acquired on negotiation skillson the field and to the benefit of member countriesSRFC member countries administration entities.A taskforce has been set up which is comprised ofresearchers of the sub-region and IRD has tabled onthe development of a wide range of biologicalindicators (environment, biological wealth, fishpopulations structuring, population abundance,trophic relationship, level of exploitation), so as tocompare a dozen of estuary systems in five countriesof the sub Region (Gambia, Guinee,Guinée Bissau,Mauritania and Senegal) subject to various levels ofenvironment antrophic pressure. The work asproduced will allow to make available to SRFCmember countries and non-governmental actors anevaluation tool of fishery effects on ecosystems, butalso of marine protected areas effects as a fisherymanagement measure. Therefore, it is an importantcomponent which brings improved coherenceamong PRCM components.

Concerning shells, research activities carried out inpartnership with the IRD led to a betterunderstanding of ecological constraints related tothe reproduction of main commercial interest shellspecies and allowed to derive the most potentiallymanagement efficient options such as the fallow orre-fish stocking systems. Research was notablycarried out on population ecology, analysis of thetrophic network, level of pollution and


contaminants, as well as exploited productionassessment. Dialogue workshops were organized ineach of the villages with a view to setting upresources management and conservation rules ,leading to commitments on the use of selectivescreen for collecting arches, the biological recoveryperiods, the fish stocking of devastated areas, wastemanagement or the necessity to get rid of pilefoundation latrines.A product marketing study was launched on thebasis of the work carried out on the outlet last year,in order to identify market features for the threehighest economic potential products which arearches, melongenas and oysters. Finally, a study wasproposed on energetic alternatives to the use offirewood through high performance ovens notably.

Concerning mullets, Atlantic croakers and the bluefish, studies carried out to date on the three speciesled to an updating and improvement of the level ofknowledge and also to an awareness of theeconomic, food and social importance of thesefisheries , but also the required conception ofresource operational management systems.Exchange visits are a power apprenticeship toolamong actors of different area and experience.PRCM has privileged those which constitute anapproach for extending some practices and positiveexperiences in the region between two or manycountries or within one same country.

That is how exchange visits made in Dakar, on theprocessing sites of Rufisque, Yoff, Mbao, and Sicaphave enabled women in the Saloum Islands todiscover new experiences notably in the field oforganization and sea products processingmanagement activities. As inspired from theorganizational pattern of their colleagues andwomen processors in Dakar, they equally identifiednew market opportunities in particular for freshproducts, and linked up with Enda Graf partners in

Dakar. On the other hand, exchanges on theconstraint to develop the sector allowed to startexamining the creation of a national network so asto improve their advocacy capacities.

The visits also allowed women processors in Senegalto share experiences with Mauritanian and Gambianwomen on hygiene conditions during workshopsheld on processing. The training as delivered duringthese meetings on organization leaders negotiationcapacity building enabled women to develop arelationship with local authorities notably, and toparticipate for some cases to local processesdecision making on the sea product processingoutlet.


This component had for objective to

«Promote a tourism pattern which is

respect full of the environmental,

socioeconomic and cultural

equilibrium in the coastal area of those

countries covered by PRCM».

The expected results were:1. The demonstrative value of ongoing projects

and experiences in the region is capitalizedto promote a sustainable and integrateddevelopment of tourism,

2. The capacity of actors intervening inecotourism development inside MPAs isbacked up.

3. Populations' social and economic conditionsas well as the preservation of MPAs culturaland environmental heritage are improvedthrough the development of eco touristicactivities.

PRCM action was mainly guided towardsdemonstrating the feasibility of ecotourism alongwith an approach for a better knowledge ofopportunities and potentials. Ecotourism finds itsrelevance in the preservation issue, in the sense thatit ensures the improvement of communitieslivelihoods who live on the sites that were identifiedwhile safeguarding and restoring biodiversity,resources and environment.The direction taken by the sustainable TourismComponent figured out in the Prospective GeneralReport Evaluation, which is one of the researchproject implemented as part of PRCM was mobilizedto support the improvement of knowledge and skillscapitalization.

1. The demonstrative value of ongoingprojects in the region is capitalizedto promote a sustainable andintegrated developmentof ecotourism

PRCM actors' activities allowed to inform, sensitize,identify and show within areas what intervention tocarry out in order to ensure the development ofecotourism. Such demonstrative approach wasimplemented in the Biosphere Reserve of the SaloumDelta in Senegal in 7 village sites. Seven incomegenerating eco touristic destinations are developedand surrendered to populations through committeesthat they created themselves and that were madeoperational through the project by means of trainingmodules (7 thematic available modules), equipment(traditional boats, and ride caleches VTT; picnicequipment etc..) and structures (pontoons, lanes, ecotouristic accommodation huts, etc.). Ecotourism is anew activity which requires a community adhesionso as to be developed harmoniously. The participatorywork of all social and socio professional layers led tothe awareness of an abusive exploitation along withan assessment of some resources heritage value. Thisfavored the emergence or the strengthening of newsocial or socio economic links through villagecommittees, who have more legitimacy to take incharge community concerns relating to environmentand preservation. Among major changes noted withthe populations is a better understanding of landvalue, an essential resource at their disposal, for apartnership development which is adequate with theconcept and principles of ecotourism. The projectdeveloped an approach capable of creating largeadhesion (or adherence) as well as local ownership(through local and central government authoritieswhich allowed in some municipalities to considerecotourism when conceiving development planswhich are legitimate and legal tools for piloting localdevelopment.


2. Building the capacities of actorsintervening in the development ofecotourism within MPAs

An Eco Tourism Development Strategy Project Exchanges were undertaken at the level of theDelta du Saloum Biosphere Reserve -RBDS- whichallowed a definition of an eco tourism vision andobjectives. The drafting of the plan was delayed dueto information collection and analysis relating toother sectors' political processes which are tightlylinked to ecotourism (crafts activity, culture,training, environment). The information issued fromthe exchange discussion on eco tourism and studiescarried out on the subject led, in the absence of ecotourism promotion plan, to the development of aproject for the second phase of PRCM, which takesinto account the vision and diagnosis defined inaddition to the progress made.

Ecotourism is considered in the LocalDevelopment plan Sensitization and information actions towards localauthorities of the RBDS area led to a better awarenessof eco tourism potential in local development. Twocomprehensive identification and specificationstudies on eco touristic potential were carried out bythe rural communities of Fimela and Djilor, which willcontribute to developing Local Developmentplanning-LDPs as they are referred to in those areas.The participation of the team project to the LDPplanning in Diossong led to the consideration of ecotourism in the development of the Diossong ruralcommunity.

Available tools and studiesThe following tools and studies were realized tocontribute to promoting and implementinginitiatives on eco tourism in the region:• Multi-disciplinary approach to inventory and

specify the eco touristic potential;• Method to identify education and training needs

in eco tourism;• A study on the RBDS sensitive sites was carried

out and a conception methodology which wasmuch inspired from that of X. Izureta (tourismactivity environmental monitoring in marineprotected areas- MET/AP) will improve the MPAsmanagers capacity as part of the said studiesimplementation.

Knowledge in hosting, management,restoration, guidance and interpretationWith the objective to endow human resources withcapacities, 15 individuals (guides, MPAs managers)collaborating with the RBDS received a trainingarticulated around 7 main modules: sea fauna,ornithology, botany, communication and touristguide skills, information collection skills in history,culture, ethical values, along with eco tourismbehavior. The training documents were duplicatedand distributed at a wider scale in the RBDS.

3. Populations' socio economicconditions and cultural andenvironmental heritage preservationof MPAs are strengthened througheco touristic activities development

A local development fund is put in place witheco tourism benefitsIn the Delta Du Saloum Biosphere Reservenegotiations with local authorities andcommunities led to the equal sharing principle offunds generated from the exploitation managers ofthe, the activities preservation of the village. Theseagreements have been formalized in a protocolduring tourist tour transfers. Beyond the resultwhich is undoubtedly an interesting one, it is thewhole process that led to reach the target which isto be valorized and capitalized on. Infrastructuressuch as small built bridges (pontoon), beyond theirusefulness for ecotourism, facilitate and ensure thesafety of neighboring populations movements.Furthermore, populations are increasingly sensitizedon the capacity for ecotourism to give moreacceptable social solutions.


This component has for specific

objective to «Promote decisions taken

on exploration, exploitation, and oil

transportation which are compatible

with a sound management of marine

and coastal environment by the

countries covered by PRCM».

The expected results were:1. The targeted audience was informed through

relevant communication tools;2. Expertise and action capacities are built at

national and regional level;3. Tools and mechanisms meant for hazards

prevention and management are adopted;4. A legal and legislative framework which

allows a sound management of the oil sectoris adopted and implemented.

Not provided for in the initial conception of theprogram, the creation of this component is asymbol of the reactivity and capacity for adaptationby PRCM to the evolution of its environment as wellas the manifestation of the value added by the nongovernmental organizations coalition which isPRCM. It started first of all with sensitization andlobbying actions, then training under the leadershipof WWF, and finally the implementation of a formalproject of «Independent Panel of Expert on oilexploitation in Mauritania».

1. Target audiences are informedthrough relevant communicationtools

Une visite d'étudepour les acteurs et la société civileA visit study organized in February 2005 for elevenpersons in Mauritania, in Senegal, in the Gambia,and Guinée Bissau from public entities, the media,parliaments and civil society allowed to that groupto exchange with actors endowed with ascertainedexperience on oil exploitation; and also to observesocial and environmental impacts of oil exploitationin the Niger Delta. The multiplying effects werenoted through the echoing made by participants intheir countries to leading bodies through networks,the media, and through restitution meetings in eachcountry.From the visit a series of recommendations wereformulated by the participants and addressed togoverning bodies during a regional workshop on theoil sector held in Nouakchott in February 2005.During the workshop, two technical brochures,which were issued under the initiative of foundingorganizations were largely disseminated andproposed a bibliographic synthesis of environmentimpacts of oil exploitation, along with apresentation of some experiences around the world, (Canada in particular) of international instrumentsat the disposal of states and meant for assisting thedevelopment of this sector of importance to theregion's national economies.


Here under is a list of the lessons learnt by theMauritanian delegation and presented at arestitution meeting.4

• Have in mind the oil resource is not an unendingproduct;

• Know that the real challenge is investing oilrevenues in the health, education, and othersustainable sectors (fisheries, renewable energy,agriculture, trade…);

• Creation of a framework (laws, strategies, andconvention) for structures in charge ofenvironment;

• Set up development funds for local communitiesand strengthen their independence vis a vis oil;

• Build the capacities in good governance(transparency, co management);

• Master oil technology and the progressivenationalization of the exploitation sector.

The Nouakchott regional workshop, organized withthe support of the private sector (Woodside, an oilexploiting company) and the government ofMauritania on «environmental and oil exploitationmanagement capacity building» gathered 77participants from 8 countries from Africa, a numberof European countries and Australia.

The major achievements are:- The sensitization of political and public authorities

responsible for oil issues in the interventioncountries. In Mauritania, recent governmentaldecisions favor the taking into account ofenvironment in oil resources managementpolicies: the request for an expertise, and the willto strengthen the legal framework, the acceptanceof the Initiative for Transparency of ExtractiveIndustries (EITI), the will to forbid explorationactivities in the most sensitive blocks in the samegeographical situation as the PNBA.

- Dialogue promotion between the various actorsconcerned with the oil sector

- Putting relevant information available toparticipants which allow an upstream integrationof oil industry incidence in the marine and coastalmanagement policies.

Sensitization and dialogue workshopsFollowing the Nouakchott workshop, a restitutionworkshop was held in Guinée Bissau in September2006. If the non participation of the government isto be lamented, the workshop organized under theleadership of the Assemblée Nationale Populaire,was much attended to all along the proceedings, bymembers of parliament, civil society, and the media.70 individuals received information onenvironmental impacts of oil exploitation. A plan ofaction was conceived to build the capacities ofactors, initiate exchange of ideas and dialogueframeworks and ensure sustained sensitization.Parliamentarians also committed to require fromthe government the ratification of some key texts aswell as an updating of the national legislation.The launching of the “Panel of Independent Expertson oil exploitation in Mauritania started in April2007. Many encounters were organized with thevarious parties so as to explain the Panel missionand ensure the adhesion of various actors, privatesector, civil society, and governmentrepresentatives. Furthermore a workshop was heldby the Junior Ministry in charge of environment incollaboration with IUCN, on October 25th, with theattendance of participants representing oiloperators, public service authorities and civilsociety. The panel focused its intervention on theyear 2008, during which a strategic environmentalstudy will be carried out with the help of the WorldBank, following the recommendations of thevarious partners to development of which PRCMorganizations. The government will consequentlyhave a set of technical recommendations which areyet to be gathered.

Press communiqués and information availability The regional workshop of Nouakchott and therestitution meeting of Bissau were relayed by thenational public and private media thus giving a wideaudience to the issue. Two press releases wereissued, distributed and put on line on PRCM'spartners' web sites. A web site is totally devoted tothe Panel Project. The most important documentshave been put on the web to this effect on the panelwebsite (www.panelpetrole.mr).

The example of the Mauritanian enabled to enrich dialogue inEastern Africa and the Indian Ocean, which is beingprogressively disseminated to the countries faced withhydrocarbons exploitation issue. Therefore, Kenya, Mozambiqueand Tanzania made a joint exchange visit to Nigeria at the endof which a workshop was organized. Recommendations weremade on how to mobilize administrative and politicalauthorities in the management of hydrocarbons exploitationimpacts. A similar workshop was held in Madagascar at the endof which the government expressed its intention to subscribeto EITI principles.

4 Bowba mint ELKHALESS : Impacts of oil exploitation In Nigeria : what lessons for Mauritania


Conception and distribution of documents invarious languagesThe production of PRCM brochures is mainly gearedtowards sensitizing the populations andstakeholders as well as expertise building, throughan extended presentation form of texts andreference international provisions:• Dissemination of the book on offshore

exploitation and oil maritime transportationenvironmental management” in its completeversion and summarized French and English .booklet: The Authors are Sandra Kloff and CliveWicks;

• A bibliographical synthesis on the ecologicalimpacts and regulatory aspects of off shoreexploitation. Author: Julien SEMELIN;

• A film on oil exploitation impact in Nigeria (notproduced by PRCM) is used as sensitization tool.

2. Expertise Capacity and actionsare strengthened at nationaland regional level

A training session on environmental impact studiesto the intention of some thirty governmentalinstitutions (environment and hydrocarbons) andNGOS in the Gambia was held as part of the secondregional marine and coastal forum. As a privilegedexperience exchange and knowledge transmissionframework, the training sessions will be extended toother countries so as to involve a critical number ofpeople endowed with expertise and action capacityin that field area. Within such perspective, anothertraining session took place in December 2007 inGuinée Bissau which gathered about thirtyparticipants.

Production of supportive decision making toolsIn relation with WCMC, maps which gatheredinformation on oil blocks and oil exploitation andexploration concessions, the fishing sector activityareas which host a specific bio diversity orecological processes that are key to the renewal ofsea resources was produced in Mauritania andGuinée Bissau. The documents meant forinstitutions and various concerned actors can beused for guiding the development choices as madeand for defining vocational skills in the variousmarine and coastal areas.

3. Tools and Mechanisms forPrevention and Risk Management

Mauritania engaged itself into the realization of aStrategic Environment Evaluation of hydrocarbonsdevelopment and coastal management in thatcountry. The advice given by the NetherlandsEnvironmental Evaluation Commission on terms ofreference is available. PRCM would havecontributed, along with other actors to that processby putting its network available to the team, itstechnical resources and knowledge of theMauritanian coastal area.In addition to Mauritania, the promotion ofstrategic environmental evaluation was extended toregional meetings. This is how the joint meeting ofthe parties to the Abidjan and Nairobi convention inNovember 2007 was a privileged opportunity forPRCM to make presentations on hydrocarbonsimpact. PRCM advocated with the signatories ofthese two conventions- for the necessity topromote the resort to strategic and other types ofenvironmental evaluations notably in cross borderprojects and programs, in order to avoid thenegative incidences on the marine and coastalenvironment notably as far as off-shoreexploitation and exploration activities areconcerned, which engender many environmentalconcerns in the region. The advocacy was heard astestified by the excerpts of the Nairobi and AbidjanConvention Heads of Delegations joint declaration:

Conscious of the importance to carry out strategicenvironmental evaluation and other studies to avoidor curb the negative incidences on environment andthe ecosystem services notably in relation to theincreased activities in the oil and gas, mineral sector,make the resolution to:

- To carry out strategic environment evaluations andother studies on activities likely to have negativeimpact on the coastal and marine area and notablyoil, gas and mineral products exploration,exploitation, transportation and explorationactivities in particular while taking the role of theInternational Maritime Organization intoconsideration.

- To carry out strategic environmental evaluationsbefore the undertaking of any hydrocarbonsexploration or exploitation activity.


During that meeting, the results of various groupworks were compiled in a project document.

Mauritania was the first country to require from itspartners the launching of a strategic alliance, whichwill take place in 2008 with the support of theWorld Bank to produce opportunity analysis ofcosts relating to the sector's development andrecommendations on said sector environmentalmanagement conditions.

As a parallel, project activities “Independent ExpertPanel on oil exploitation in Mauritania” started onApril 2007 following a request by the MauritanianGovernment to IUCN to establish an independentpanel with a view to studying the social andenvironmental aspects of agreements signed withattending oil and gas exploitation operators.As an independent scientific study group, theindependent panel of experts responsible forstudying the social and environmental aspects ofthese agreements shall have for mission to assessthe various environmental provisions of theagreement(s) and impact studies as well asmanagement projects. It will allow to determine thequality of the information as used, the relevance ofexploitation actors conclusions working in the offshore country waters and the likely efficiency ofmitigation measures, along with proposeddevelopment and preservation plans. It shouldcontribute to the adoption of rigorous social andenvironmental measures for current and future oilexploitation and exploration activities in Mauritaniaand the region as a whole.

The panel focused among others on subjects such as:

(1) A quality assessment of all technical andscientific documents on social andenvironmental impact studies;

(2) The identification of lagoons, where necessary,within social and environmental exploitationactors development projects, as well as theirpolitical, legislative and regulatory frameworks;

(3) The importance of supporting through thepanel's activities, the development of referenceenvironmental standards in the field of oilexploitation;

(4) The development of a governmental capacity forensuring the management of off shore gas andoil exploration activities and the establishmentof standards applicable to Mauritania whichcould serve as an environmental reference forthe oil extraction industry.

Today, PRCM constitutes a powerful means ofadvocacy and has often been cited both by national(government and civil society) and internationalactors for its significant role in the sub region inview of the current and future major challenges ofmines and hydrocarbons exploitation. The space ithas opened for dialogue initiatives among actors -which are difficult to promote through institutions,private companies or civil society - are welcomed byvarious parties. This is a sign of recognition of theefforts provided and the high expectations fromvarious partners from the coalition. For instance,the Abidjan Convention COP 8 meeting appeals toPRCM for it to support the Abidjan Conventionratification process in the sub region, notably inMauritania, Guinée Bissau, and Cap verde.(http://www.unep.org/AbidjanConvention/The_Convention/COP/index.asp).

In consideration of the various requirementsSOLLICITATIONS and in awareness of the major rolethat PRCM can play in the sub region for promotingcollaboration between governments and nongovernmental organizations, PRCM partnersproposed a project on hydrocarbons managementas part of the future phase 2 of PRCM.


The research component was designed

with the specific objective to «develop

required knowledge, tools and skills for

an integrated management of coastal

and marine areas in Western Africa».

The expected results are:1. Creation and strengthening of a regional and

scientific collaboration dynamics for anIntegrated Management of Coastal Areas;

2. Improvement of knowledge on coastaldynamics and management practice;

3. Increasing national and regional expertisecapacities;

4. Production of tools to assist in making therequired decision for IMCA (an IntegratedManagement of Coastal Areas).

Therefore, two additional projects which arecomplementary in nature as to approaches usedand inter related in their subject matter, areimplemented by PRCM partners under theleadership of FIBA, and in collaboration with IRD forthe “Prospective Global Report Project; and alsothrough the collaboration of IUCN as part of theMauritanian Coastal Planning Project (PALM). TheProspective Global Report Project seeks to ensure abetter understanding of the chain of events whichled to a moderate use of resources and environmentas well as areas, current waste situations and majorenvironmental hazards. The objectives were gearedto research training (university training inparticular), regional cooperation through thesetting up of scientific and research networks andthe production of management facilitating tools forthe Western Africa Coastal and marine area.

PALM has the same objective as the “ProspectiveGlobal Report Project” which with collaboration tieswas established. However, it adopts a researchaction approach with a view to answering the needsfor an Integrated Management of the MauritanianCoastal Area which, as a rich biodiversity area, hasan enormous potential in the field of socioeconomics and tourism, hence the major changes itfaces caused by anthropic actions.

1. Improving the Level of Knowledgeon Coastal Dynamics andManagement Practices

The availability of knowledge and managementpractices have been a central issue to thecomponent, which are extensively shared among allactors, research institutions and decision makers. Avariety of themes (methods and models; a regionalGIS development; shoreline anthropization,shoreline dynamics and related hazards; dynamicsof agricultural and forest coastal landscapes; searesources dynamics, urban dynamics and touristdynamics) were identified and subject to studies.Given the complexity and diversity of exploreddomains, the pooling of human resources and themeans of various institutions and actors of theregion and Europe have been of necessity toexperienced success stories. Therefore, studies werecarried out according to the various themes citedabove and some of them published in internationalscientific magazines.

Thematic Studies are Made AvailableTo date, many thematic studies were producedwhich consequently contributed to improving theknowledge of actors involved in coastal areaintegrated management.


These are among others:• The report on agricultural and forest landscape

characterization in Western Africa coastal area,which led access to many doctoral papers andPHD works;

• A summary report on fishing techniques in thesub region;

• The Ground Swell Atlas in West Africa;• The Study Report on wind direction and speed

scope characterization in the West African Coastalarea from data chronicles provided by ERS-1,ERS-2 and QUIKSCA satellites;

• A list of the region's water species (biodivbp.xls),acquired through “data mining” from existing filesand data bases (SIAP, FIGIS…): it is comprised of1686 species;

• Group work meetings' reports on estuary areascharacterization as well as the identification ofbiological indicators and exploitation of marineareas resources.

In view of the difficulties encountered mainly as tothe availability of moderators of thematic areas,many themes are still ongoing and should becompleted by the end of the year 2008. Thesethemes among other research studies, deal withaspects that have been sufficiently covered to date:

- A global report on tourism in each country so asto identify failure and success factors.

- A data base under the form of a regional touristicresource Center.

- A global report on urban occupation trends in thefive countries of the Sub region.

Finally workshops on the results of each thematicfield area along with a synthesis of researchfindings to transfer to beneficiaries are planned forthe year 2008.

Scientific Publications Many scientific publications were issued:• Georis6Creuseveau J.., Guormelon F., Rouan M.,

2007. CIAO (Catalogue d' Information pourl'Afrique de l'Ouest). RapportPRCM/IUCN/FIBA/UBO-CNRS.

• Abilio Rachid Said : « Global Prospective Report” -Eixo 4: Dinamica a Paisagem Agricola e Florestal.

• Missao Itinerante para a Implentaçao dos SitiosAtelieis do Eixo 4, nos Cinco Paises da Sub-regiao

• Abilio Rachid Said et Frédéric Alexandre:dynamique des paysages agricoles et forestiers.

• Saoudou Ndiaye, 2007 : analyse critiques desdonnées disponibles dans le CIAO ; mémoire demaster II -UBO/Géomer ; 53 pages.

• Aboubacar Soumah, 2007 : la pêche au filettraditionnel tété yélé dans la presqu'île duKaloum : impact on marine resources exploitation.Mémoire de DEA Chaire UNESCO-UCAD, 57 pages.

• Oumar Bah, 2007 : impact of rice growing onmangrove vegetal formations in the Sangareahbay, district of Dubreka. Mémoire de DEA CaireUNESCO-UCAD, 78 pages

• Y.-F. Thomas & A. M. Senhoury, “the significantheight of waves in Western Africa, Observation bymeans of Radar Altimetry”; Journal PHOTO -INTERPRETATION N° 2007/1 (pp. 25-48)

• A. Moustapha Senhoury, F. Levoy, O. Monfort &V.G.Koutitonsky; “a Numerical Forecast of ShorelineEvolution after Harbour”; Journal of CoastalResearch, vol. 23; N°6 (pp 1409-1417), November2007

• Y.F. Thomas & A. Senhoury: “Significant WaveHeight Distribution in Western Africa measured bymeans of a Topex radiometer”, “article submittedto scientific review” Photo Interpretation forpublication in 2006.


Participation of Scientists of the Sub Region toRegional and International Conferences onshoreline issuesThese meetings are part of the valorization ofproduced knowledge and scientific findings in thesub region. The participation of 7 west Africanresearchers to the Symposium on West AfricanEcosystems was held in Brussels in February 2005was highly appreciated. The conclusions of thatsymposium were produced and re printed twice tomeet the demand. A total of 500 copies wereproduced.In addition to this event, PRCM was represented tothree other major meetings. The first conferencewas held in Brest on «the Management of marinemolluscan fishes». The second was an internationalgathering on MPAs (Mekhnes, Morroco). The thirdmeeting was that of PRCM/CIDA in Stockholmwhich was an opportunity to meet 8 scientists ofthe West African sub region along with theircolleagues from Eastern Africa and Sweden.Another meeting which gathered the same expertswas held in Durban (South Africa) in 2007. Thismultifarious participation offered opportunities topresent communications on coastal issues in WestAfrica and laid the ground for a partnership amonginstitutions.

2. Increasing national and regionalexpertise capacities

In view of weak human and technical capacity, theavailability of a critical mass of national andregional experts capable of producing tools tosupport decision making or give advice to decisionmakers on shoreline challenging issues, is animportant leverage and even, a sine qua noncondition for an integrated coastal areamanagement application. One of the component'smajor concerns is to help in training bothgraduates (masters and PHD level) and technicalstaff (technicians and engineers). Consequently,research modules moderators participated activelyto academics and students training as part ofproject structures and that of partner institutions;likewise, some students benefitted from regionaland international fellowships.

PHDs on Integrated Management TechniquesFour PHD works were engaged into between 2005and 2006. They are being prepared by students fromthe region at the Universities of Cheikh Anta DIOPof Dakar, Havre, Géomer Brest, at the MNHN-Parison the following topics:• The dynamics of sand shores coastlines in

Western Africa • Fisheries regulation in Senegal and its impact on

West African fisheries;• Review of the relationship between likely local

and regional management schemes• Contribution to the study on la Baie d'Etoile

ecosystemThe Nouakchott - Nouadhibou road: environmentalimpact on the Banc d'Arguin National Park.

Fellowship Sponsoring for PHD studentsA dozen of students from the sub region or thenorth have received logistical support, fellowshipand training from some theme moderators, to


prepare masters or PHD graduation lectures. Theyare registered either in the sub region's universities(UNESCO Fellowship, Centre d'Etudes et deRecherche en Environnement - Université deConakry) in the universities of the North (Universitéde Versailles -IRD, Université de Brest). Five of thestudents who are fellows of the Prospective GlobalReport, conducted various research topics andobtained their PHD in 2007:• Impact of rain fed rice on mangrove plant

formations in the Sangareah bay (dubrékadistrict);

• Traditional «tété yélé» nets in the Kaloumpeninsula, impact on the exploitation of marinesresources;

• Feasibility study of a GIS dedicated to the Africancoastal area: critical analysis of available data inthe Western Africa Catalogue of Information(CIAO);

• Contribution to the study of tourists flows allalong the Mauritanian shoreline;

• Occupation of the peripheral space of theNational Diawling Park: analysis of conflicts andthreats on an artificialized system.

Training of traineesSeven student trainees were supported by theproject for the years 2005 and 2006 of which 3were hosted by IRD in Dakar and 4 at GREZOH ofNouakchott University. In 2007, 2 trainees of theUniversity of Versailles -Saint Quentin and twofemale students of the UNESCO Fellowship werehosted by the LINUS laboratory of C3ED/IRD ofDakar.

Sustained Training For ProfessionalsA training module on GIS was organized in 2005 for14 participants from the sub region: 8 UNESCO PHDFellows and 6 professionals. Some of them wereused as focal points for the development of theCIAO (Catalogue of Information for Western Africa).

A multi disciplinary higher education devotedto the integrated management of coastal areasA Masters Degree of the University of Cheikh AntaDiop - Dakar devoted to coastal zones managementhas been developed with the support of the GlobalProspective Report and UVSQ partners. Validated bythe University scientific bodies, its implementationis in process at the UNESCO Fellowship in view ofthe LMD reform at Cheikh Anta DIOP University.

Trained Students MonitoringIn 2007, the Global Prospective Report started tomonitor the students who were trained in theircountries: the two Guinean UNESCO Fellows arecurrently teachers and researchers in marinedisciplines; the Mauritanian female student trainedin Brest is being monitored so as to be able toparticipate to the ongoing management of the CIAOcurrently being established in Mauritania.

3. Creation and Strengtheningof a regional scientific collaborationdynamics for an Integrated CoastalAreas Management

A University Network under creationConcerning research, the various actionscontributed to strengthening thematic networks inthe fishing and tourism sector, coastal dynamics,urban dynamics, and forestry dynamics. Theyequally helped in pooling initiatives for theestablishment of a regional GIS through theconvening of meetings between projects andprograms which are active in the field of geomaticapplications (BAGIS, SRFC, CSE). The variouscontacts and meetings were opportunities to makeassociated research and training institutes alongwith foreign partners to contribute to theemergence of a regional expertise and adhere to theestablishment of an inter-university network. This


major initiative led to the proposal of aninstitutionalization project for such network as partof PRCM Second phase.

A Research Project shared by many institutionsOne of the major challenges of the GlobalProspective Report is to arrive in involving themajority of research and training bodies in itsactivities. Among the most cited reasons for noninvolvement, there is the lack of skilled humanmeans on aspects related to shoreline management,as well as the fact that sustained funding is notavailable.A project on the coastline area hydrodynamicmodeling in Western Africa has been proposed byteams from various sub regional institutions.Project implementation is conditioned to theacquisition of funding that is being currentlysecured. An inter- institutional collaboration for acontribution to the integrated management ofcoastal systems is already in due process.Consequently the contribution of some sixtyresearch institutions and universities of the regionand roughly a dozen of partners from theinstitutions of the North has been recorded. Theestablishment of an Observatory of the Mauritaniancoastline offered the opportunity to transfer skillsto Mauritania (coastline areas management,geomatics,…) and favored the setting up a networkof national, regional and international partners(PNBA, PND, IMROP, University of Nouakchott,PRCM, CNRS…).

4. Production of Support ToolsTo Management

Tools were designed for actors and decision makersfor a cautious planning and management of thecoastal area. The sub regional Plan of Action for theconservation of priority sites has been developed bya workshop of experts that met under the initiativeof WWF from 2003; the plan provides a mappingand information on the most sensitive areas of thesub region which are comprised of the majority ofthe MPAs that were created to protect fragilehabitats and nurseriesIn Mauritania, decision making tools wereconceived; it is notably «the Biodiversity andHydrocarbons Map in Mauritania» in collaborationwith the Prospective Global Report/PRCM, IMROPand UNEP/WCMC as well the «Mapping of shorelinehazards in the city of Nouakchott» with thecollaboration of the Global Prospective Report andthe University of Caen Basse Normandie (France),through the conception of a Land Digital Pattern(LDP); As a parallel, a topographic study of the cityof Nouakchott was carried out to identify the areasexposed to flooding, erosion and port facilities sandsilting through a mapping of all hazards.To date, the Main Planning Scheme of theMauritanian Shoreline comprising an inventory ofthe country's potential, as well as strategies forsustainable development has been conceived. As acentral, participatory and consensual documentwhich defines the relevant planning anddevelopment framework for the Mauritaniancoastline, the PDALM answers the needs for anIntegrated Management of the Coastal Area. The promulgation of decree n° 2007-037 relative tothe shoreline by the Mauritanian governmentconfirms the importance granted so far to coastalareas by official authorities: coastal planningprocess ownership, strengthening of legislation oncoastline management and its resources,


consideration of the coastline environment in thenational strategies and of some developmentpartners, implementation of preventive measures(for instance the rehabilitation of the dune belt).In consideration of the requirement to create aframework for dialogue on the issues related to theMauritanian shoreline, a Technical Committee wasset up, strengthened and extended to key actors ofthe coastal areas (representatives of civil society,private interests, scientists, decision makers, coastalinstitutions, local authorities and otherstakeholders) in order to exchange information andfeed in to the exchange of views on coastal areamanagement and planning.Other tools to support decision making weredeveloped, among others:

• A sub regional plan of actionfor the conservation of priority sites;

• A land digital Model for Western Africa;• An ongoing mapping of flooding hazards

for the city of Saint Louis;• A map presenting the biodiversity and oil

activities all along the Mauritanian shoreline;• The conception of a digital catalogue of

information on the coastline in Western Africa.

Conception of a regionalgeographical information systemTo date, a Catalogue of Information for WesternAfrica (CIAO) is freely available on internet(www.premarine.org/ciao) in collaboration withGéomer. In its first version, the CIAO cataloguecontains 236 sheets which give the informationavailable in the three main themes (natural,anthropic and regulatory), at various spatial levels(local or regional) and which have different qualitycriteria ( timeliness, accuracy, exhaustiveness…)As a dynamic tool, CIAO has for calling to getprogressively enriched through the collaboration ofall coastal actors. The conception of the CIAO is thefirst step of a Geographical Information Systemfeasibility study dedicated to PRCM coastal areas.The GIS model of Cape Verde would be used as areference for establishing a foundation basis.Actions are ongoing with the Red Afrimar Network,the Spanish Cooperation and the SRFC to valorizethe CIAO as part of a regional GIS on the fishingsector.

Furthermore, the Mauritanian shoreline Observatorythat has been put in place allowed to develop astructured approach with a view to ensuring thefollow up of long term changes of the Mauritaniancoastline, taking into consideration the specificcontext of that environment. To that end, a multi-disciplinary GIS organized around the themes of«The Dune Belt Evolution Monitoring», «Access toWater», «Infrastructures», «Socio Economic Issues»and «Pollution» was put in place to enable a listing,storage, synthesis and dissemination of informationproduced by various bodies. However, data collectedon the themes of pollution and socio economicsector remain modest and require increased means.

Programme Régional de Conservation

de la zone Côtière et Marine

en Afrique de l’Ouest

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BP 4167 Nouakchott, Mauritaniatel. +222 529 09 77www.prcmarine.org

A joint initiative by

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