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

Full Solution
by Armelle Jung, Des Requins et Des Hommes (DRDH)
Training Session with Sea Users
Cécile BRIGAUDEAU/DRDH2014
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.
Last update: 30 Sep 2020
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Context
Challenges addressed
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
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.
Scale of implementation
Multi-national
Ecosystems
Estuary
Mangrove
Theme
Local actors
Coastal and marine spatial management
Outreach & communications
Culture
Fisheries and aquaculture
Collection of biological data
Location
Mauritania
West and Central Africa
Process
Summary of the process
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'.
Building Blocks
Collection of historical and geographical information
Catch data from the last centuries collected from research institutes, libraries and maritime museums, and through surveys.
Enabling factors
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'.
Lesson learned
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'.
Resources
Awareness-raising of fishermen on the West African coast
In each country, a focal point supports awareness-raising through a poster in the national language, a radio spot and a T-shirt.
Enabling factors
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'.
Lesson learned
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'.
Resources
Radio Message (in French) to raise awareness of fishermen in West Africa
Sub-regional Alert Network of focal points
Visits to network members by the focal point of the country for data collection and awareness-raising.
Enabling factors
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'.
Lesson learned
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'.
Resources
Training of representatives of the fishermen institutions
Stakeholders (fishers, surveillance, MPA managers, processor of seafood, NGOs) are trained to respond to accidental capture.
Enabling factors
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'.
Lesson learned
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'.
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'.
Beneficiaries
Fishermen in coastal areas of the West African sub-region.
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'.
Resources
Links
Facebook page of the AfricaSaw Network
Connect with contributors
Armelle
Jung
Solution Provider
in Des Requins et Des Hommes (DRDH)
Des Requins et Des Hommes (DRDH)
1 People
Other contributors
Armelle Jung
Des Requins et Des Hommes (DRDH)
Other Organizations
Des Requins et Des Hommes (DRDH)
Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC)
University of Florida
Save our Species (SOS)
Save Our Seas Foundation