AfricaSaw - Alert network for the protection of the West African sawfishes

Cécile BRIGAUDEAU/DRDH2014
Published: 30 March 2016
Last edited: 30 September 2020
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Summary

The solution allows for creating a rapid alert network in the event of sawfish captures, to harmonize and coordinate responses that aim at their protection in the West African sub-region. From village to village, along the coasts and up to the remotest 'bolongs' (salt-water channels) or islands, historic data on capture levels has been collected, fishers have been sensitized and representatives of the maritime sector have been trained.

Classifications

Region
West and Central Africa
Scale of implementation
Multi-national
Ecosystem
Estuary
Mangrove
Marine and coastal ecosystems
Theme
Coastal and marine spatial management
Culture
Fisheries and aquaculture
Local actors
Outreach & communications
Other theme
Collection of biological data
Challenges
Loss of Biodiversity
Unsustainable harvesting incl. Overfishing
Physical resource extraction
Lack of public and decision maker’s awareness
Poor governance and participation
Lack of food security
Aichi targets
Target 6: Sustainable management of aquatic living resources
Target 12: Reducing risk of extinction
Target 17: Biodiversity strategies and action plans
Target 18: Traditional knowledge
Target 19: Sharing information and knowledge

Location

Mauritania | Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone

Challenges

Conserve the critically endangered sawfish while managing conflicts related to fisheries. The sawfish is considered as a priority species for conservation (IUCN SSG). Its presence in West Africa was common until the 70s, declined until the 90s, and has since then become very sporadic. A few catch hotspots remain, and accessing them constitutes a real challenge for fishers operating in this sub-region where fisheries provide most of the alimentary protein supply.

Beneficiaries

Fishermen in coastal areas of the West African sub-region.

How do the building blocks interact?

Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘AfricaSaw, Réseau d’alerte/sauvegarde du poisson-scie, Afrique de l’Ouest’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.

Impacts

Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: 'AfricaSaw, Réseau d’alerte/sauvegarde du poisson-scie, Afrique de l’Ouest'" from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.

Story

Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: 'AfricaSaw, Réseau d’alerte/sauvegarde du poisson-scie, Afrique de l’Ouest'" from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.

Contributed by

armelle@desrequinsetdeshommes.org's picture

Armelle Jung Des Requins et Des Hommes (DRDH)

Other contributors

Des Requins et Des Hommes (DRDH)