Current Articles
|
Search
|
Syndication
Wetlands International Africa launches Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Network (BIOMAC)
18-Feb-2009
Wetlands International Africa has launched the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Network (BIOMAC) in Guinea Bissau at the 4th Forum of the Regional Coastal and Marine Conservation Programme for West Africa (PRCM). BIOMAC addresses the many challenges facing the West African coast through information sharing, environmental monitoring, rapid reaction systems and capacity building. The mission of BIOMAC is ‘building strategic partnerships to protect our marine and coastal heritage’.
Wetlands International Africa office in Dakar, Senegal, is heading the Regional Coastal and Marine Conservation Programme for West Africa (PRCM). The West African coast is rich in resources and biodiversity, but at the same time subject to many threats. The last fifty years have seen a huge decline in animal and plant resources and an alarming reduction in fish stocks. This situation is being made even worse by the effects of climate change.
"Synchonise efforts"
To tackle these trends, it is essential, according to the Coordinator of BIOMAC Mamadou Niane, ‘’that the many different actors who working hard to address these issues should synchronise their efforts, share information and best practice, build their capacaties and monitor and protect the region’s species and habitats’’.
7 West African countries
This is the rationale behind BIOMAC, the West African marine and coastal biodiversity network, which aims to coordinate conservation efforts for the species and habitats of 7 countries: Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde.
For more information:
http://afrique.wetlands.org
Contact:
Mamadou Niane
mniane@wetlands.sn
Chargé de ressources naturelles
Wetlands International Africa office
Rue 111,Villa No 39,
Zone B Dakar,
Sénégal
Téléphone: 221 33 869 16 81
Fax 221 825 92 12