Economic development in West Africa depends on sustainable natural resources management

For the entire African continent, fisheries represent one of the most important export commodities, comprising an annual export value of US$ 2.7 billion. In West Africa, fisheries generate over US$ 400 million annually. They support sustainable livelihoods, provide jobs as well as protein to coastal and inland communities. For example, in Senegal 30% of the population directly or indirectly depends on fishing for their livelihoods and fish products represent 30% of all exports. Fisheries contribute a large proportion of revenue to most national budgets in West Africa. In Guinea Bissau, fisheries contribute to 41% of the total budget, in Mauritania they represent 25%. The resource also represents the single most important source of foreign exchange. For Mauritania, fisheries partnership agreements with the EU provide 50% of the country’s foreign exchange.

Poverty eradication requires a healthy environment

The economies of all West African coastal countries are mainly based on direct exploitation of natural resources. Environmental degradation primarily affects the poor because of its impact on jobs and food security. Reversing this downward spiral is essential for poverty eradication. Sustainable natural resource management contributes to poverty eradication by enhancing people’s livelihoods and by reducing their vulnerability to environmental hazards. Sustainable resource management leads to better protection of freshwater, forests and marine areas. As a result, the rural and urban poor who depend on these resources will receive increased benefits from the goods and services they provide.

Unsustainable fishing methods endanger fragile economies and worsen poverty in the ecoregion

The impact of over-fishing has been dramatic in the last 50 years. In Senegal, a day’s worth of food could be caught in minutes. Now fishers must spend days at sea. Partnership agreements with foreign countries generate much needed income, but they also put unsustainable pressures on limited fish stocks. In Senegal, the quantity of commercially-valued fish caught in its territorial waters has decreased by more than 80% since the 1950s. This decline is critical since fishing represents one third of Senegal’s national budget. Given the serious economic constraints in the ecoregion and a lack of alternatives, many countries are caught between accepting money from fisheries agreements to support short term development priorities and the need to protect their natural resources for the long term.

Opportunities for jointly addressing poverty and environment challenges

National budgets: should integrate environmental concerns into the economic development process to encourage the EU and other donors to deliver more of their aid as budget support. Environmental planning: at all levels identifies emerging priorities, key environmental threats and their impacts on poverty. Integrating poverty-environment indicators into sectoral targets, priorities and budgets is important. Creating markets for biodiversity conservation: new legislative frameworks and voluntary initiatives help create markets for ecosystem services, e.g. for watershed and biodiversity conservation. Marine protected areas: are vital for sustainable fisheries management. They allow fish stocks to recover by protecting key spawning, nursery and feeding areas. This benefits fishing communities as a capital investment. Environmental integration in the CSPs: Country Strategy Papers are important aid vehicles. National governments should identify opportunities where ecosystem management can contribute to poverty eradication. Civil society engagement: civil society’s role in natural resource management should be strengthened to enhance participation in the preparation of CSPs and in environmental monitoring.