Senegal plans deep sea marine protected areas
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Senegal is working to create new marine protected areas in deep offshore waters, relying on scientific research and collaboration between different groups.
Government officials, scientists, and security forces met in Saly to plan data collection needed to officially designate strategic marine sites. The Directorate of Community Marine Protected Areas is prioritizing three locations, the Dakar Trench, the Kayar Canyon, and seamounts, for these protections. Establishing these areas requires stronger scientific justification than previous, locally-driven marine protections.
Authorities are gathering biological data on species present and their frequency, along with socioeconomic information including levels of artisanal fishing and maritime traffic. Colonel Paul Moïse Diédhiou, an advisor to the Directorate, emphasized the need for strong data to support the creation of these protected areas and the importance of physical presence at sea.
The government recognizes the need to include partners like the national Navy, the gendarmerie, border police, and financial/technical organizations to build a lasting framework for governing these areas. Officials also aim to protect the livelihoods of coastal communities, as artisanal fishing is a vital part of Senegal’s economy, and want to establish these protections through consensus and inclusion.
By combining monitoring, research, and collaboration with organizations like Global Fishing Watch, Senegal hopes to sustainably manage its fisheries and preserve its deep marine environment.
