Implementation of the Convention
Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target
Strategies and plans have been incorporated into the Agriculture and Natural Resources Sector, Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme (PRSP) and a national biodiversity policy framework is being developed. Many species are now legally protected, including the Senegalese long tail parakeet, the common hippo, the Sitatunga, the manatee and nitrogen fixing trees such as Accacia albida. Sustainable farming techniques are in use and sustainable fishing techniques are being deployed. In addition, forest clearance and conversion into farmlands is discouraged. The forestry and wildlife laws both prohibit unregulated trade in all species of fauna and flora irrespective of status in accordance with CITES. Appropriate legislative measures to prevent the introduction of alien invasive species into the agricultural ecosystem have been enacted. Legislative measures on ballast water discharge are almost finalized and fisheries legislation on the release of fish in aquaculture facilities is in place. Import and Export regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of alien invasive species in drylands can be found in relevant sectoral legislations such as forestry, fisheries, and wildlife. Wildlife and Forestry programmes and activities put emphasis on traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities as they relate to protected areas and forest parks in different ecosystems. Finally several activities have been prohibited in order to protect biodiversity, such as the use of inappropriate fishing gear, the burning of charcoal, and the exploitation of certain animal and plant species.
Initiatives in Protected Areas
Before the CBD, the protected area coverage was 3.7%, which steadily increased to its present level of 4.09%. The Tanbi wetland complex and Niumi National Park, as important stands of mangroves along the West African Coast, have been given protected area status. A Programme to encourage the creation of community and private nature reserves and other categories of PAs is on course. Plans are in the pipeline to elaborate and or update management plans for existing protected areas. Plans are underway to accord Man And Biosphere Reserve (MAB) status to Niumi National Park, Baobolon wetland Reserve and Tanbi wetland Complex with the assistance of IUCN and UNESCO (MAB) offices in Dakar. There is an ongoing Integrated Coastal And Marine Biodiversity Management (ICAM) project to determine the status of and protect manatees, turtles and dolphins. Already, community representatives and protected area staff have been trained in species and habitat assessment and monitoring.
Initiatives for Article 8(j)
Mechanisms have been put in place to allow the participation of those who retain and utilize traditional knowledge in the decision-making process. Such mechanisms include the National Farmers Platform, the National Livestock Farmers Association, and the National Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners. The NGO Affairs Agency is collaborating with National and International NGOs through MOUs and other agreements to promote the participation of local communities in decision making through training and other forms of skills development. Even though the country has not developed national-scale mechanisms, isolated initiatives are conducted to increase participation of women in the decision-making processes. An example of this is women working in the artisanal fisheries sector who are trained in the techniques of fish smoking, drying, processing and marketing.
