Partially

As far as the exploitation of the shell middens is concerned, there are no current estimates of available volumes. Extraction of this non-renewable resource is on an opportunistic basis. Removal of shell middens causes the uprooting of baobab trees and environmental degradation. Initiatives are being considered to create alternative employment for the villagers.  One such initiative is to create an eco-museum and train eco-wardens. 

In a better-developed part of the Saloum Delta, the village of Dionewar, has benefited from alternative sources of livelihood.  Communities sell their agricultural products to local tourist resorts.  This village also hosts the headquarters of the rural community association. There is some competition among the villages to attract funds.

Slightly

UCAD works together with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the West African Association for the Marine Environment, and through this mutual cooperation, partnerships are established providing for capacity building of the NGOs and the UNESCO Chair. The local population develops its skills in planting and managing of mangroves based on experiments run in collaboration with UCAD scientists. 

In the past, the approach has been essentially top-down with the government playing the key role.  The implementation of a participatory process allows for a gradual change from unidirectional government-driven activities to community-driven initiatives, e.g. communities determine their own actions and implement them in partnership with other stakeholders such as scientists, government bodies, NGOs, funding agencies. This provides for sustainability.

Slightly

Some women members of the Dionewar Co-operative live in other villages. They are progressively transferring their experiences in co-operative management. It is, however, too early to say if the transfer is successful.

Fully

The project activities involve several different disciplines: agro-forestry, sociology, human and physical geography, tourism development, archaeology, and geology. Field investigations were carried out by an intersectoral group including researchers, staff from the Fisheries Service, planners, fishermen knowledgeable about traditional practices, ‘transformatrices’ (women in charge of fish processing), fish wholesalers, religious and customary authorities.

Fully

A participatory process is now a core element of the initiatives. Interestingly, the researchers emphasise that they too are part of this participatory process, as they need to be progressively accepted by the local communities so as to be allowed to work in the area. Some key contact persons, usually university lecturers, who originate from the area, help with establishing and maintaining local contact. 

The staff and students from the university collect reliable scientific data and have a wider view on natural resource management problems.  Both the data and the vision are shared with the communities. All the groups work together in a participatory manner to: 

• Assess resource availability and constraints,

• Assess production systems and their constraints,

• Develop a managerial process,

• Determine potential solutions to alleviate the identified constraints,

• Define priority actions.

Fully

Three general priority areas have been established: management of resources, conflict resolution, and development of income-generating activities. Specific priorities are then established based on field assessments and in collaboration with target groups.  For example, during the drafting of the fisheries management plan, meetings were held with the populations of Missirah and Betenti villages.  Three options, based on widespread consensus, were proposed for the sustainable management of Saloum fisheries: 

• Strengthening of coastal and marine monitoring,

• Use of adapted fishing techniques and gear,

• Preservation and restoration of natural habitats.

Fully

On each visit by the research team and students, a long meeting and discussion takes place with the different community representatives (chiefs, women, elders).  Although time-consuming, this meeting creates trust and triggers dialogue. The use of a consultative process in fisheries resource management involves all the fisheries stakeholders, and helps to ensure effective communication. Other communication tools such as chats, theatre, radio and television are also used.

Partially

The practice of removing shells from the burial mounds goes against general concepts for preservation and respect of ancient burials. Local communities do not accept this view, for in their eyes they have no kinship or ancestry relationships with the men and women buried within the middens. Some researchers try to justify respect for these burials solely on the basis of scientific interest. 

Research teams and students are careful to respect local customs, local communities and traditional hierarchies.  This is a key factor in the success of the project. Participatory fisheries management, with its emphasis on traditional practices and their value, shows for respect for local culture.

Fully

Women play a key role in the economy and vitality of the community.  Due to their level of organisational skills they are at the forefront of development. Land management in Dionewar is dependent on the work of women. The male: female ratio is strongly skewed due to the emigration of men aged between 15 and 40 to Dakar or abroad. A large proportion of the local economy is supported by money sent from the capital or abroad. Women manage the co-operative store and take care of cultivation. While men do the fishing, women are in charge of fish processing. This allows women to buy canoes, become owners of fishing units, and take part in fish wholesale. Women play a paramount role in the regional fishing economy.

Slightly

The different ethnic groups (Niominka, Mandingues) experience similar constraints in terms of resource exploitation.  They also adopt the same new resource management techniques (e.g. mangrove reforestation). However, this move towards a standardisation of techniques does not diminish the distinctive nature of their traditional livelihoods.

Slightly

All activities must conform to local and national policies so as to receive official support. The new practices have not yet shaped national legal policy.

Slightly

The community support and research project covers a wide area both in and near the Saloum Biosphere Reserve. There are, however, no spin-off effects, transfers or extension beyond the immediate project area. 

Partially

The involvement of scientists and the sharing of their findings conform to Article 27.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that everyone has a right to share in progress and the benefits of scientific knowledge[1].   

Fully

The list of final year and postgraduate diploma reports, theses and publications is given in the documentation section.

None

This is the first evaluation.