Improving MPA Management Effectiveness

Banc D'Arguin National Park, Mauritania

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Site Overview Location Information Goals and Accomplishments Site Management Other Site Evaluations and Research Contact Information and Web Links
Site Overview
General description of site: The Banc d'Arguin National Park is a 12,000 km² half marine and half continental area located North-West of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania at the limit of the Sahara desert and the Atlantic Ocean. The park, established in 1976, boasts an exceptional marine and coastal biodiversity. It is also home to a resident population of Imraguen fisherfolks who have exploited its marine bounty for several centuries. Date of establishment: 1976 Area (Km²): 12,000 Size of site (S <= 20Km²; M = 20 - 2000Km²; L >= 2000Km²): Large Ecosystem type/main ecological features: Sand dunes Seagrass beds Mudflats Sand islands and islets Description of special resources; important ecological features; reason for establishing a protected area: 1. Types Of Ecosystems: The Park is is characterized by its vast expanses of sea grass beds and mudflats (ca. 500 Km²) which offer ideal conditions for reproduction and growth of many species of birds, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and sea turtles. A permanent, stable upwelling located off the coasts of Mauritania maintain a steady flow of nutrients to the area. The continental part offers all possible desert landscapes from mobile and fixed sand dunes to ancient river beds and rocky areas. 2. Fauna: The Park is well known for its huge populations of wintering palearctic waders (> 2 millions) which flock to its mud flats between September and March. It is also home to more than 40,000 pairs of nesting birds including several species of terns, cormorants, pink flamingos, endemic grey herons, endemic spoonbills, white pelicans, slender bill gulls, etc. The marine fauna is very diversified including many fish species which use the Banc d'Arguin as a nursery and growing area; marine mammals and sea turtles. Drought and illegal poaching have almost eradicated the larger terrestrial mammal species (Oryx, Dama Gazelles, Ostriches). Only a residual population of Dorcas Gazelles remains on the Tidra Island. Jackals are abundant while Stripped Hyenas and wild cats are rare. Small desert dwelling rodents and reptiles come back seasonally with improvement of climatic conditions. 3. Flora: Despite a typically arid climate, plant diversity is surprisingly high. More than 200 species have been inventoried including the most northerly Avicenia mangrove and the most southerly Spartina meadows of the west coast of Africa. Along the coastline vegetation is characterized by a variety of halophytes able to grow in very salted soil and to use air humidity. The desert part exhibits all the range of typical Saharan plants, bushes and trees including Acacia, Caparis, Maerua and many others. 4. Resident Populations: The Park is home to ca. 1500 Imraguen who have exploited the marine resources for many centuries. Until two decades ago, their mainstay has been fishing for yellow mullet from the beach. This unique subsistence activity in an extreme environment gave rise to an original culture. Motorization being forbidden in the park, local fishermen are exclusively using small sail boats called "Lanches." More recently, overfishing by semi-industrial units south of the Park and solicitations from external operators have pushed Imraguen fishermen into unsustainable activities, mainly targeted at rays and sharks for the South-East Asia fin market. Camel herding activities, although still very much ingrained in the Imraguen mentality, has dwindled down in the past three decades due to heavy drought.
Location Information
Geographic coordinates (lat/long): 1645' W 1921' N - 2050' N Nearest major city: Nouakchott Region: Semi-arid
Goals and Accomplishments
Goals and objectives of MPA: 1. Efficient management systems are established 2. The Park and its resources are efficiently protected 3. The biological and economic importance of the Park is scientifically demonstrated and recognised 4. Development increases the Park's economic and aesthetic values, and improves Imraguen living conditions with no negative impact 5. Partners supporting the Banc d'Arguin are identified, contacted, and strengthened where necessary Site accomplishments to date: Enactment of a participatory management approach Establishment of a Marine Surveillance System Adoption and enactment of an Ecotourism Strategy Adoption of a Scientific Research Strategy Elaboration of an Environmental Communication Strategy Elaboration of a new Management Plan
Site Management
Management objective: Multiple Type of management structure: Conventional Challenges of site management: Illegal fishing by small scale canoes and semi-industrial boats Threats posed by oil exploration and major infrastructure projects like the Nouadhibou - Nouakchott paved road Social and economic development of resident populations in coherence with national policies Lack of global planning outlining clearly defined actions and adequate resources to reach objectives Does a management plan exist? Yes, but not operational (1993). No digital version exists. Summary of main aspects of management plan: 1. Efficient management systems are established 2. The Park and its resources are efficiently protected 3. The biological and economic importance of the Park is scientifically demonstrated and recognized 4. Development increases the Park's economic and aesthetic values, and improves Imraguen living conditions with no negative impact 5. Partners supporting the Banc d'Arguin are identified, contacted, and strengthened where necessary Main stakeholders involved: Stakeholders - Local authorities Local populations PNBA Partners - Donors: FIBA, French and German Cooperations, IFAD, WWF, IUCN, etc. National Institutions: IMROP, CNERV, IMRS, etc. Foreign Institutions: IRD, MNHN, CNRS, Natuurmo-numenten, etc.
Other Site Evaluations and Research
Description of any other site evaluations to date: No other site evaluations exist. Projects have been evaluated, but not management plans. Listing of current/recent research activities: Coming soon
Contact Information and Web Links
Main Contact(s) Information: Antonio Araújo Technical Assistant Surveillance and Conservation Parc National du Banc d÷Arguin BP 4249, Nouakchott, Mauritania South Africa Ph: +00 222 529-3268 Fax: +00 222 525-8542 e-mail: conserva-pnba@mauritania.mr Mohamed Ould Bouceif Director Parc National du Banc d÷Arguin BP 5355, Nouakchott, Mauritania South Africa Ph/Fax: +00 222 529-8542 e-mail: pnba@mauritania.mr Other Contact Information: Abdel Kader Ould Saleck e-mail: akmsaleck@mauritania.mr Link to pilot site Web page or other related Web pages: http://www.mauritania.mr/pnba/ (top)