Posted on September, 01 2003

The Government of Senegal - in cooperation with local communities along the coast and several conservation, research and marine resources management organizations - has designated 4 new marine protected areas (MPAs), totalling 75,500 hectares.

This is an important step towards establishment of a viable, ecologically- representative MPA network in Senegal's waters. These new MPAs will support sustainable fisheries management by protecting important fish breeding and nursery areas, and by securing support from fishing communities close to the parks to help with monitoring and surveys. It is anticipated this will encourage other communities to seek establishment of MPAs.

Particularly significant in this process is the extremely strong community involvement starting with requests from coastal communities for MPAs, also in site selection and in final agreement on the establishment of these 4 new MPAs.

Senegal is at the heart of the West African Marine Ecoregion (WAMER), one of the Global Ecoregions - a science-based ranking of the world's most biologically outstanding and globally representative areas of biodiversity, and a conservation priority for WWF. WAMER countries include Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, and Guinea.

WWF recognises the creation of the 4 new MPAs as a Gift to the Earth - a globally significant conservation achievement, and an example of environmental leadership which can inspire others.