As part of ecosystem monitoring, the marine protected areas of Kalolaal Blouf Fogny, Kalone Bliss-Kassa and the Kawawana Indigenous and Community Heritage (ICCA) in the department of Bignona have been equipped with floating monitoring platforms.

According to Captain Nicolas Benty Gomis of the Directorate of Community Marine Protected Areas (DAMCP), "our protected areas suffered from a lack of monitoring, community pressure on mangrove resources, on fisheries resources, and overfishing. Today, the establishment of these areas as marine protected areas allows us to better conserve the resource. And in the policy for conserving this resource, monitoring appears as an essential element."

 

In addition to protection and facilitating surveillance, these floating surveillance platforms will generate savings. Captain Gomis: "These platforms in the bolongs won't lead to fuel expenses because they're always there. It's different from taking 60 liters of gasoline to cover at least 80% of the marine protected area and returning."

 

This endowment is part of the Natur'ELLES project implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in partnership with the Society for Cooperation for International Development (SOCODEVI), funded by the Canadian government through Global Affairs Canada.

SOCODEVI's country director, Frédérique Thomas, who took part in the ceremony to receive these tools, stated that this is a response to a crucial need to strengthen surveillance over very large territories and reduce high costs.

 

"This is the major concern of surveillance. The territories are very vast and fuel is expensive to make continuous outings to monitor all illegal fishing. Today, thanks to the support of the project, with the collaboration of partners such as the IUCN, the Directorate of Marine Protected Lands as well, we are making available to the populations three floating platforms which will allow a much more effective surveillance of these protected areas," said the country director of SOCODEVI.

 

The prefect of Bignona, who presided over the ceremony, emphasized the proper management of these floating platforms, inviting the beneficiaries to use them responsibly.

 

Furthermore, Mamadou Khouma stressed that "this ceremony illustrates the common will of the State of Senegal, local authorities, technical and financial partners and local communities to strengthen the governance of natural resources and to face the challenges related to climate change".