Posted on December, 23 2003

On 16 September 2003, in Durban, South Africa, the Fisheries Minister of Senegal, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Senegal, made public the creation of four marine protected areas in Senegal.These protected areas totalling 960 km2 include: Saint-Louis, Kayar, Joal-Faidiouth and Abéné.
 
"Knowing the social, economic and cultural importance of fisheries for this country, I am convinced that this step forward will be beneficial to people in Senegal" Said Dr. Pape Samba Diouf, WWF’s West Africa, Marine Programme Representative. 
 
Senegal is one of WWF’s six key countries for its West Africa Marine and Coastal programme. Other countries covered by its current marine programme include Mauritania,Guinea Bissau, Guinea, The Gambia and Cape Verde. In Senegal alone, a country of over 10 millions people, the jobs of over 600 000 men and women depend on fishing and fisheries related industries.Besides, over 400 000 tons of fish are caught every year in Senegal.
 
WWF also commends the original and rigorous scientific methods used in choosing these four protected areas as well as the close involvement of local populations in the process. 
 
"The establishment of Marine Protected Areas will help protect biodiversity, in particular key fish nurseries and spawning areas, and support the local fishing economy" said Dr.Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, the Director of WWF‘s Africa and Madagascar Programme during her visit to the Senegalese fisheries authorities on 11 December 2003. She also welcomed the decision by the President of Senegal, His Excellency Abdoulaye Wade, to call a summit on African Protected Areas, and pledged WWF's support in providing technical assistance for the organisation of such a meeting. 
 
Over 700 fish species have been identified in the Senegalese territorial waters but overfising is having a severe impact on the marine and coastal resources. 
 
WWF’s West Africa Marine and Coastal programme is based in Senegal and has been active in the subregion for nearly four years. The objective of the programme is to reconcile biodiversity conservation with the sustainable management and equitable use of marine resources.The programme addresses four main issues: Marine Protected Areas, Fisheries Agreements, Artisanal Fishing and Threatened Species.

For further information 
 
Papa Samba Diouf, Marine Programme Representative, tel.: +221 869 37 00
 
Frédéric Bambara, Communications Officer, tel.: +221 869 37 00