Project Detail

Conservation and sustainable management of the mangrove ecosystem of the TANBI National park and periphery communities.

The aim of the project was to conserve coastal biodiversity in order to sustain livelihoods and reduce poverty among the women of the Try oyster Association.
The specific objectives of the project were to sensitize and build the capacity of the oyster women harvesters on the sustainable conservation, management, and development of the mangrove ecosystem in order to enhance increased oyster and fish yields and ensure access to market and finance, thereby reducing poverty within the fishery sub-sector.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

TRY OYSTER WOMEN ASSOCIATION

Country:

Gambia

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP5- Y1 (Jul 11 - Jun 12)

Grant Amount:

US$ 20,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 10,000.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 5,733.00

Project Number:

GMB/SGP/OP5/Y1/CORE/BD/11/11

Start Date:

8/2011

End Date:

12/2012

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Project Characteristics and Results

Capacity - Building Component

During project implementation, there were various capacity building activities aimed at passing on skills to the beneficiaries the needed skills to sustainably manage the mangrove resources and reverse the current trends of mangrove destruction

Project sustainability

One of the objectives of the project is to improve the livelihoods of the members of the grantee which is an exclusively women CBO by promoting oyster farming through aquaculture. This approach will lead to improved incomes for the group and develop keenness of the group to protect the wetland reserve since it will be inextricably linked to their livelihood.

Linkages gef projects

Potentials also exist to link this project with other GEF FSPs.

Policy Influence

Since the project is working in a wetlands reserve which is a protected area, its impacts are likely to influence future policy in community management of wetlands and protected areas in the country.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The emphasis of the project was on improving and sustaining the livelihoods of the beneficiaries through better management of the mangrove resources.

Replication of project activities

The project has some potentials for replication in future given the unique nature of the area and the potentials to make an impact.

Notable Community Participation

The project was implemented in collaboration with about 15 peripheral communities living around the Tanbi national park. The communities were directly involved in all aspects of project implementation.

Planning gef grant

There will be potentials to link up with GEF MSPs in future.

Gender Focus

This project was executed by TRY OYSTER WOMENS ASSOCIATION which is a local CBO made up exclusively by women. This group of women who harvest and sell oysters for a living represent a marginalised group under threat from the destruction of the habitats of mangroves

Project Results

An inception workshop on the project and the importance of protecting mangroves in the project area was conducted for all the members of the association covering 15 villages living around the Tanbi wetland reserve.

Following site selection in October 2011, mangrove popagules were collected in 2 central sites: Faji Kunda (covering Faji Kunda, Abuko, Kubuneh, Lamin, Kerewan, Daranka, Ibo Town and Kembujeh) and Old Jeswang (covering Kamalo and Wencho) and planted at both sites with a total of 22, 143 plants planted in an area covering 6.71 hectares.

The planted areas have regenerated the mangrove vegetation and this is expected to impact positively on the local biodiversity immediately and improve the ecological functions of the ecosystem.

As a result of of its efforts, Try Oyster Women's Association was awarded the 2012 UNDP Equator Initiative in June 2012 with a cash prize of US $5, 000. The President of the Association was fiurther invited to attend receive the award in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in June 2012 with all travel expenses paid for by UNDP. A local celebration ceremony in recognition of the award was organised by UNDP CO on September 1, 2012 at the association's head office in Jeswang.

Again in August 2012, the Association planted a further 30, 000 mangrove seedlings in a an area covering 15 hectares.

On April 7, 2012, feasibility studies were conducted in the Tanbi wetlands to identify suitable sites for the aquaculture component of the project which would involve the construction of oyster racks to reduce the cutting of the mangrove roots during oyster harvesting by the women. The study involved members of the Association including a lead consultant from the Department of Fisheries.

With site identification complete, a training session was organised at 5 sites ranging in dates from November 21, 2012 to January 14, 2013 involving 93 women who received training on all aspects of oyster culture techniques.

At the completion of the oyster culture training, a total of 180 oyster racks were constructed at Wencho, Old Jeswang, Kamalo, Abuko, Faji kunda and Kubuneh

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Indicators

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 250

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