Contribution to the conservation of the threatened biodiversity of the Community Nature Reserve of Palmarin and the Marine Protected Area of ​​Joal in the Saloum delta Senegal

This project aims to restore and conserve threatened biodiversity in the Community Nature Reserve of Palmarin and the Marine Protected Area of ​​Joal in the Saloum delta in Senegal. The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) which is located in the Joal area is now seriously threatened and is also classified in the IUCN red list “Endangered” (EN). Beyond the ecological threats to this species, there is also strong predation by monitor lizards, dogs and men, which drastically reduces the chances of survival of baby turtles and often makes them almost nil. The establishment of a nursery makes it possible to create a system of protection of an important cycle in the stage of reproduction of turtles: without it, the chances of hatching of eggs and birth of turtles is very low, especially with all the predations that exist around. It is therefore contributing to the reproduction of this “Endangered” species.

This project also contributes to the benefits of tourism for local communities, in particular through remuneration for eco-guards, income paid to families accredited to welcome tourists, but also income which will go to women’s groups and enable them to finance certain their income-generating or environmental protection activities such as the manufacture of straw charcoal, oyster farming or the reforestation of mangroves.