Participatory and sustainable conservation of the Marine Protected Area of ​​Gandoule

Located within the Saloum Delta Biosphere Reserve (central western Senegal), the Community Marine Protected Area of ​​Gandoule (AMPG) is home to remarkable biodiversity: mangroves, manatees (Trichechus senegalensis, VU), dolphins, migratory birds, etc In this area of ​​28,121 ha also live about 45,000 people whose daily life is closely linked to natural resources. Thus, for several years now, these local communities have participated directly in their sustainable management within a management committee.

Despite conservation efforts (patrols, reforestation, seeding of shellfish, local fisheries regulations, ecotourism, etc.), illegal activities and overexploitation persist: illegal fishing, cutting of mangrove wood, collection of marine sand, with a strong negative impact in particular on fish stocks, resting and feeding areas for the species present.