New Atlas of ecological and biological sensitivity in coastal and offshore areas of West Africa
November 11, 2021BirdLife International has just published a new “Atlas of ecological and biological sensitivity in coastal and offshore areas of West Africa, especially Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, with particular reference to the development of oil and gas in the region”. An executive summary can be found here and the full document here.
This atlas aims to consolidate knowledge on the state of the marine environment and on vulnerable marine areas in relation to oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities in West Africa. It will support environmental monitoring of pollution from offshore activities, the implementation of management plans for vulnerable marine areas, decision-making, etc.
The publication presents an overview of the distribution and status of ecosystem, biodiversity and natural resource values of the West African Marine Ecoregion. It presents these values in the form of distribution maps alongside supporting and additional texts that together aim to show where the key sites are for different taxa and habitats and to highlight their conservation and management status and risks, notably from the emerging offshore oil and gas sector.
This atlas was elaborated within the frame of the MAVA Outcome Action Plan on the sustainable management of oil and gas activities in West Africa.
Download the Executive Summary in English, French or Portuguese.
Download the full publication in English.