Dissemination of Innovative Experiences - Mangroves and Territories

African tropical forests represent about 11% of the 1.2 million m² of dense tropical forests worldwide. Over the past 25 years, the African continent has seen a loss of about a third of its mangrove forests, which provide vital economic and environmental benefits for communities.

The environmental, social and economic benefits of mangrove forests are generally underestimated, due to the poor production of scientific knowledge in most of these difficult-to-access areas. Also the weakness of conservation strategies, law enforcement and governance associated with the lack of incentives for a change in the behavior of riparian communities are among the factors at the origin of deforestation, degradation. and the loss of biodiversity in mangrove forests.

Moreover, these forests are often transboundary and their protection requires concerted action at the local, national and regional levels.

As part of the project “Sustainable management of mangroves from Senegal to Benin”, coordinated by IUCN and funded by the European Union and the Monetary Union of West African States (EMEA), the 5Deltas Collective deploys its intervention on the mangroves of southern Senegal (Casamance), Guinea Bissau and Guinea.

The action consists of building the capacities of local actors, by seeking a good link between local governance, valuation of mangrove products and conservation of ecosystems:

• Local governance by supporting local consultation spaces involving the various players in mangrove areas (communities, users, economic operators, tourism, etc.);
• Promotion of products by popularizing good sustainable management practices for the exploitation of shellfish, fish and timber;
• Conservation by preserving these natural resources of global importance (set aside, sanctification, management plans).