Description of the project target area

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1.4 Description of the project target area

The administrative map presented below fig. 1 shows the project target area. It demarcates the range for project activities as well as the map zoning the MPAs in Cayar, Joal and the Saloum Biosphere Reserve, which are the protected areas where project activities will take place. As regards the targeted fishing sites, the project considers the CLPA as the administrative entity acting as proxy for the CLPA Chairperson. Figure 1. Administrative map of the project area source: CSE All the CLPAs covered by the project are located in the regions of Thies, Dakar and Fatick fig.2. This area has over 65 of Senegalese fishermen, about 65 of active fishermen engaged in the fish- ing effort, and between 70 and 80 of the landings of small pelagics. Considering the priority stocks the project is targeting, any management measures initiated on the stocks in this area could have an impact on 80 of the fishing effort DPM Statistical Reports. Figure 1 and Figure 3 show that the fishers in three CLPAs aim for catches from the same stock. This makes it easy for them to under- stand the UGD concept on stock based management. At the same time, and for the sake of continuity in USAID work, the USAIDCOMFISH project will support past USAID initiatives in the Sine Saloum. The USAID Wula Nafaa project 2008-2013 and the USAIDIUCN 2002-2005 project worked respectively on the management of shellfish and shrimp stocks Wula Nafaa focused on cobo in Niodior and in Bassoul, Tambacounda, and Missirah Foundiougne, while IUCN worked in the CLPAs in Niodior and in Foundiougne, Kaolack, and Gan- diaye Missirah. The USAIDCOMFISH project uses the same CLPAs that IUCN is using for its ac- tivities on shrimps. It will also use the same CLPAs as Wula Nafaa when work begins on cobo in FY2014. For the activities planned to begin on shrimps in Casamance by FY2014, the project will rely on the CLPAs and local governance units supported by Wula Nafaa. 9 Figure 2. Location of targeted CLPAs Source: CSE The map below fig. 3 shows the distribution of targeted resources as well as the fishing sites cov- ered by stakeholders in the project area. Given the scale of fish harvesting in this area, the need for sustainable management rules has been a priority for several donors engaged in the sector, including the USAIDCOMFISH project. Figure 3. Map on the distribution of resources and areas covered by fishers 10 Regarding the priority species identified in the project areas, the table below summarizes the charac- teristics of the species involved and the synergies between USAIDCOMFISH and the other pro- gramsprojects in the process of establishing management plans. Table 1: Characteristics of priority species identified and targeted by the USAIDCOMFISH project source: USAIDCOMFISH PRIORITY STOCKS STRATEGIES Context and factors influencing fishing - Species: Sardinella aurita and sardinella maderensis - Local name: Sardinella, Yaboï - Family: CLUPEIDAE - USAIDCOMFISH project contribution: USAIDCOMFISH has taken the initiative to de- velop this species: Developing a national collab- orative management plan by building stakeholder and CLPA capacity, initiating inter-CLPA con- sultations based on the locally binding agree- ments; improving the data collection system IUPA, CRODT, conducting a stock assess- ment, identifying climate change impacts; sup- porting the CSRP sub-regional development plan; contributing to stock assessment; Assessing IUU fishing. - Landings of this species mainly by Senegal’s artisanal fishers - Product is accessible and affordable, plays a key role in food security - Fished on a large scale by industrial fisheries - The impact of IUU fishing seems strong and perhaps under-estimated - Sensitive to climate threats upwelling sea temperature, wind, current, etc., as evidenced by changing migration and reproduction trends. - Main species for the ecological and trophic balance of the region’s ecosystem. Migrates on a large scale each season to areas that may range from Ghana to Morocco. - Species: Ethmalosa Fimbriata - Local name: Bonga, Cobo - Family: Clupeidae - USAIDCOMFISH project contribution: Building the capacities of CLPAs targeted by this fishery Saloum Delta; Developing consul- tation frameworks inside CLPAs Conventions locales and in the UGD inter-CLPA consulta- tions; Improving the stocks information and as- sessment system IUPA; assessing the stock. Where the stock is shared with Gambia, consid- ering pathways for dialogue between the two countries - Affinity for estuaries and bays. - Older individuals prefer the marine environment - Certainly one population covering the Saloum estuary and Gambia. - At sea, this species seems to stay in near coastal shallow areas less than 15- 25 m deep. - Harvest potential between 9 and 10,000 tons in the Saloum estuaries and Casamance. - Intense fishing activity in Gambia and the Sine Saloum estuaries, - Low pressure observed on part of the stock present in the coastal area. - Species: Penaeus notialis - Local name: coastal shrimp, Sippah - Family: PENAEIDAE - USAIDCOMFISH project contribution: Building CLPA capacity Saloum Delta; frameworks for consultation inside CLPAs Conventions locales and in the UGD inter- CLPA consultations; socio-economic studies; stock information and assessment system IUPA; creating frameworks for dialogue to in- volve the industrial and commercial sector in sustainable fisheries management; development of a value chain for this species; eco-labeling. GIRMAC has the lead role. - Shrimps of the family Peneidae live in tropical waters and breed at sea. - After fertilization, the eggs are hatched into the water to develop through the different larval stages: - The larvae survive as plankton and are carried away by the water current to estuaries during their post-larval phase. - The shrimp post-larvae stay for a few months in the estuary 3 to 4 months, depending on food availability and environmental conditions, before returning to sea. The time spent in the estuary plays a decisive role in the success of estuarine fisheries. - High-value export species harvested by industrial fisheries 11 PRIORITY STOCKS STRATEGIES Context and factors influencing fishing - Species: Epinephelus Aeneus - Local name: White grouper, Thiof - Family: SERRANIDAE - USAIDCOMFISH project contribution: Building capacity for target CLPAs, UGD con- sultation frameworks, improving the information system on captures and stock assessment with IUPA, CRODT, and IRDIFAN, opportunities for certification or eventually for labeling. - JICACOMFISH: lead - Lives in areas between 0 and 200 meters deep, but is most abundant in areas below 100 meters FISHER et al 1981. - Protogynous hermaphrodite species MF - There are large populations of non-migratory adults on the Petite Côte. Bathymetric movements seemingly tied to reproduction have been observed in them. Landings are mostly by artisanal fisheries 23. - There is little knowledge on how climate affects the stock - Has a pattern of seasonal migration into offshore areas and particularly influences the effects of upwelling. - Species: Octopus Vulgaris - Local name: Octopus, Yaranka - Group: Cephalopods - USAIDCOMFISH project contribution: Im- proving the information system on stock captures and assessment IUPA and CRODT; opportuni- ties for certification or labeling eventually. - Lead: JICA - High-value export species harvested by industrial and artisanal fisheries - Largest landings by artisanal fisheries. Little knowledge on how climate impacts stock - Fished all year round with well-spread seasonal peaks mainly in Mbour and Joal. - Stakeholders on La Petite Côte are implementing a biological recovery plan and a restocking and stock enhancement program for this species through the use of artificial reefs and Marine Protected Areas.

1.5 Legal and institutional framework for collaborative management in Senegal