Joal-Fadiouth MPA: The withdrawal of financial partners puts community activities to the test

With over 80% of its previous management plan completed, the Joal-Fadiouth Marine Protected Area (MPA) has achieved significant progress. However, the decline in the number of financial partners, while needs are increasing, now poses a serious challenge to conservation, monitoring, and the development of community activities.

Gathered to evaluate the previous PAG (Protected Area Management Plan) and prepare the next one, stakeholders in the Joal-Fadiouth Marine Protected Area (MPA) presented an overall positive assessment. According to the warden, Captain Assane Diallo, several significant achievements were recorded, including improved equipment, the acquisition of canoes and a vehicle, and the development of income-generating activities in agriculture and beekeeping.

Despite these advances, some activities could not be carried out due to a lack of sufficient financial resources. "Over the past five years, we have managed to acquire new premises for the management committee. We have significantly improved the equipment of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) through the purchase of canoes and vehicles. Therefore, the development of income-generating activities (IGAs) such as beekeeping and agriculture over the past five years represents a major achievement. With the previous plan, we had a success rate of over 80%. This was thanks to the participation of the communities and the various conservationists who have worked here. Nevertheless, difficulties have arisen. There are shortcomings related to funding. Today, there are activities that we are struggling to complete because the funding is not available," explains Captain Diallo.

Abdou Karim Sall, president of the Joal-Fadiouth MPA management committee and president of the Senegal MPA management committee, deplores this situation. According to him, the number of marine protected areas has increased sharply while several long-standing partners have withdrawn from the West African region. "The number of NGOs has decreased, and the number of MPAs has increased. Therefore, we have less funding," he emphasizes.

The new PAG will therefore need to be realistic and more supported by technical and financial partners. Officials also want to focus on young people and new technologies, particularly social media, drones, and digital surveillance and research tools.

Thus, the objective for the managers of the Joal-Fadiouth AMP is to achieve at least 90% of the actions of the next plan over the next five years, thanks to better mobilization of resources and strong involvement of communities.