Cadre fonctionnel du PRAO Sénégal

In order to strengthen the achievements of their partnership in the fisheries sector, the Government of Senegal, the World Bank and the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (CSRP) are preparing the second phase of the Regional Fisheries Project in West Africa (PRAO-Senegal).

The objective of PRAO-Senegal / Phase II is to improve the management of the targeted fisheries, increase the post-harvest value of fish products in targeted landing sites, and strengthen an environment conducive to aquaculture development.

PRAO-Senegal / Phase II is articulated around these three technical components:

• Component 1: Improved management of selected fisheries
• Component 2: Improved processing of fish and fish products
• Component 3: Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Communication

Project activities will not cause physical displacement of populations; however, the implementation of some sub-components or sub-projects of Component 1, "Improved Management of Selected Fisheries", could result in restricted access of populations to certain resources found in protected areas that depend on them for their survival. In fact, the creation of Protected Fishing Areas (ZPP), and Artificial Reef Immersion Zones (ZIRA) and the Extension Zone of co-management, the implementation of the management plan of the volutes  fishery through territorial concessions and sub-projects of local co-management of small-scale fisheries and the application of the regulations are all management measures and awareness raising that aim to regulate management will lead to restrictions on access to fisheries resources in protected areas.

The Operational Policy 4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement of People stipulates that when a project financially supported by the World Bank is likely to cause involuntary restriction of access to national parks and protected areas defined as such legally, a Process Framework, prepared in close consultation with populations and centered on the interests of the populations, should be developed in accordance with the World Bank's operational principles and guidelines.

Project-Affected People (PAP) will be those who currently exploit natural resources before protection or reduction of access. They are mainly the local communities (fishermen and fishery operators in the maritime and coastal area). This list is not exhaustive and other categories may appear during diagnostics. Particular attention should be given to vulnerable groups, so they can participate in decisions pertaining to the reduction of access to natural resources.

However, it should be noted that the number of people using the resources well exceeds the populations living in the area; it includes the populations of the peripheral areas, from the mainland and "foreigners". Thus, it includes the population of these communities living directly from fisheries resources and likely to be directly affected by restrictions on access to ZPP, ZIRA, Extension Zone and replication site of local co-management.

The preparation of this operational framework was a participatory process focused on several consultations with the relevant communities and stakeholders (fishermen, fishmongers, women processors, technical services, NGOs, producer groups, etc.). This participatory process will be continued during the implementation of the process framework.

Drawing on the experience gained and lessons learned in the process of setting up the protection and co-management system, the process of creating and managing the ZIRA, ZPP,  Extension area and local co-management areas of artisanal fisheries will also be conducted in a participatory manner, by involving all relevant stakeholders at all stages (communities, associations, groups, civil society, administrative authorities, relevant technical services, local authorities, customary authorities, opinion leaders, the private sector, etc.).

To prepare and implement its marine and coastal ecosystems conservation program, the project will reduce the ability of populations currently using the resources in the areas of intervention to access certain multipurpose areas. This reduction of access will be carried out in a participatory manner, through consultations with the relevant stakeholders who will take part in the decision-making process and have a say in the course of actions to be taken. The major social challenge is to engage the groups concerned to take part in the decisions that will lead to the establishment of the territorial concessions of development plans and the areas of sustainable management of artisanal fisheries protection (ZIRA, ZPP, Zone d' extension and replication sites of local co-management), to ensure that they are not affected by the potential social risks of the project and that they share in the expected benefits.

In devising and implementing management plans (ZIRA and ZPP) and related development plans of the volutes fishery potential impacts have been identified, including:

• the restriction of access to resources in the 1.5 Km closed area of the ZPP of the Petite Côte;
• the restriction of access to the ZIRA;
• loss of income due to restricted access to fishing resources in ZPP and ZIRA;
• conflicts between local fishermen and those coming from other localities (competition on the resource, types of gear used, etc.)
• accidents at sea (bad weather, inadequate boats, lack of lifejackets, restrictions encouraging fishermen to fish further away, etc.) causing death by drowning and / or loss of equipment;
• reduced income for women processors and stakeholders in related trades (carpenters, mechanics, etc.) due to the restrictions (reduced landings and fishermen's income).

The above impacts have been identified in a participatory manner with the grassroots actors, particularly during the CF public consultation and restitution sessions.

To mitigate the potential impacts (restrictions on access to fisheries resources) brought about by the sustainable fisheries management activities under the PRAO II, the following potential mitigation measures have been proposed by the local fishermen communities., during public consultations, as possible examples of livelihood restoration:

• Supporting the diversification of the sources of revenue for fishery stakeholders, the conversion of (fishermen, fishmongers and women processors) and the families and households of fishermen towards other promising alternative activities (trade, transport, etc.) through access. a microcredit system adapted to their situation (repayment term, interest rate, etc.)
• Improve the mobility of rowing boats that are affected by the ZPP and resettle them in the fishery beyond 1.5 km (facilitate (facilitate the acquisition of 6 HP engines or any other social support negotiated and retained) with those groups of actors directly affected by the access restriction)
• Support (subsidize) fishermen's equipment: motor, canoe, net, bins, ponds, vest, boots, etc. or any other or other support negotiated and agreed with the actors directly affected by the access restriction
• Take into account fishermen aged 45-70 (vulnerable persons), without family support, in the provision of microcredit to finance subsistence activities alternative to fishing;
• Ensure good participatory, inclusive and transparent governance of local co-management of small-scale fisheries with CLP and CLPA
• Change other beach seine nets (25-60 mm) by other regulatory nets
• Facilitate fishermen's permanent access to weather information on navigation
• Strengthen local mechanisms for conflict management and prevention (awareness raising, mediation, dialog, consultation between communities)
• Help stakeholders of related trade have access to financing, production inputs and the acquisition of raw materials
• Strengthen institutional, organizational and technical capacities: Quality/Hygiene, Labeling, Marketing.

The Livelihoods Restoration Plan is the management scheme to be applied in the case of a project of access restrictions. Its development process will include the following standard steps: (i) Population information; (ii) Identification of stakeholder groups directly affected by access restrictions and vulnerable groups impacts and mitigation measures and planning; (iii) Identification of social support measures to mitigate the limitation of access to resource fisheries; (iv) Definition of responsibilities, budget and schedule for implementation of the Livelihoods Restoration Plan; (v) Validation of the Livelihoods Restoration Plan; (vi) Implementation of the Livelihoods Restoration Plan; (vii) Monitoring and evaluation of the Livelihoods Restoration Plan.

These Livelihoods Restoration Plans will accompany the local co-management management plans and sub-projects of the artisanal fisheries of which they are integral parts. As a result, they will be budgeted in local co-management management plans and subprojects in the same way as other accompanying measures (participation monitoring, training, monitoring and evaluation, etc.) and financed from project funds.

Accompanying social support measures for directly affected groups and vulnerable groups could include, inter alia: support for the search for alternatives to withdrawn resources, income-generating activities (IGAs), capacity building, economic support measures, etc. Further assistance measures regarding access restrictions will be identified with stakeholders during public consultations during the development of Livelihoods Restoration Plans.

Limiting access to protected areas resources could cause conflicts. The project must set up an information and awareness program and provide mechanisms for resolving conflicts, with a focus on local mechanisms.

The success of the social support procedure for directly affected groups and vulnerable groups will depend, to a large extent, on the organization that will be set up and the definition of the role and responsibilities of the institutions involved. . As project owner, the implementation of the Livelihoods Restoration Plans will be under the authority of the Project Steering Committee. The different institutional arrangements are summarized in the table below.