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Senegal Makes History with Approval of Sardinella Management Plans

COM11_mgtposterpicTwo years of persistent, participatory work guided by the Coastal Resources Center (CRC) have culminated in a historic approval of fishery management plans in Senegal.

On September 30, the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy signed and formally approved three sardinella collaborative Fishery Management Plans for the fishing zones of the Petite Cote, Grand Cote and Cap Vert. These three zones make up a majority of sardinella landings and represent key supporting management mechanisms to the national sardinella management plan.

The approval is a result of the two-year inclusive, participatory, and capacity building process for fisheries co-management guided by USAID/COMFISH initiative implemented by CRC, which is part of the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

Approval of the plans represents a unique achievement in one of the most important marine fisheries in Africa. Local fisheries governing bodies, known as Local Artisanal Fisheries Councils, have developed and will implement the management plans.These plans and the process for their development have the potential to be a game-changer in Senegal’s fisheries sector and are concrete symbols of the trust and appreciation from partners and beneficiaries for the partnership effort.

Sardinella is a pelagic species of great importance to the Canary Current marine ecosystem. The species alone accounts for over 80 percent of fish landings by artisanal fishers in Senegal, and is one of the main sources of animal protein in Senegal – over 70 percent. The management plans are a boost to long-term food security in the country. They serve the goals of safeguarding livelihoods for communities working in all aspects of sardinella fisheries (including small-scale fish processing), and optimizing revenues produced by fisheries resources while helping keep fisheries stocks in good health.

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Local fisheries councils take an active part in shaping the sardinella management plans. (Credit: USAID/COMFISH)

USAID/COMFISH (United States Agency for International Development/Collaborative Management for a Sustainable Fisheries Future in Senegal) is working with local fisheries actors and relevant fisheries departments to promote the development of similar participatory plans for other sardinella fishing zones, and to develop collaborative management plans for the estuarine species locally called bonga (a shad species).

USAID/COMFISH is a five-year project funded by USAID to support the collaborative and sustainable management of fisheries in Senegal. CRC implements the project in partnership with national and local actors in Senegal.

Senegal Leads the Way in Climate Change Fisheries’ Preparedness

Senegal has adopted a national plan for addressing climate change impacts on marine fisheries. (Credit: USAID/COMFISH)
Senegal has adopted a national plan for addressing climate change impacts on marine fisheries. (Credit: USAID/COMFISH)

Senegal has established itself as one of only a few nations to develop a national Climate Change Adaptation Plan specifically for marine fisheries. High-level U.S. and Senegalese government representatives launched the plan in October with the goal of helping the sector and its fisheries communities to cope with the negative impacts of climate change and climate variability.

A partnership of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries spearheaded the development of this plan with support from USAID, through its fisheries project, USAID/COMFISH, implemented by the Coastal Resources Center at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography along with local partners.

Like other key sectors of the Senegalese economy, the fisheries sector is hard hit by climate change. Manifestations of climate change in this sector include changes in fish location and migration patterns, increasing climate variability and number of accidents at sea, coastal erosion affecting fishing communities and landing sites, and flooding.

This national plan is part of a long process that will help the entire fisheries sector in Senegal better adapt to climate change by helping to increase the resilience of coastal/fishing communities. Fisheries play a critical role in the Senegalese economy. This sector involves over 17 percent of the working force, contributes over 2.5 percent to GDP and is one of the main sources of animal protein (over 70 percent) in the diet of the Senegalese people.

Since its inception in 2011, the USAID/COMFISH Project has been working with the Government of Senegal to assess the vulnerability of coastal communities, strengthen the capacity of local actors and institutions in the fisheries and climate change sectors while helping communities plan and undertake proactive adaptation actions to climate change.