Grand Béréby: Ivory Coast’s first Marine Protected Area
On December 21, 2020, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) announced its first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Grand-Béréby. The 2,600km2 MPA location includes important sea-bed habitats and reef ecosystems, as well as globally significant nesting and foraging grounds for the leatherback, green and olive ridley turtles. It will also protect more than 20 species of sharks and rays, including hammerheads, manta rays and guitarfish – a group of rays now considered the world’s most threatened marine fish.
Prior to this stage, CEM (Conservation des Espèces Marines or Conservation of Marine Species), an African-European NGO founded in 2015, played an important role. Their primary objective always was to protect marine turtles at this 40km long coast of Côte d´Ivoire: The olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea, the leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea, and the green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, successfully reproduce at Grand Béréby.
The creation of the MPA is the culmination of years of work by the Ivorian government, the Abidjan Convention, the Swedish Government, and CEM as the essential local NGO. CEM worked, among others, in partnership with and received support from the University of Exeter, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Rainforest Trust, oceanBASIS, Manfred Hermsen Stiftung, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and from the German-based CEM-Europe. The later was established in honour of Olaf Grell, who had engaged himself several years on-site for CEM. The project “Grand Béréby” also received Blue Solutions‘ recognition (cooperation of GIZ, IUCN, UNEP and GRID-Arendal). LT&C had reported several times about the project development and involvement of its members.
Most important, however, for the success of the project is the support received from the local people and tourism businesses. Tourism is already a significant economic factor in Grand Béréby and the surrounding area. The location about 50 km west of San Pedro with a flight connection to Abidjan is already used by larger hotels such as “Bay de Sirenne”, “Katoum” and “La Flotte”. Smaller accommodation providers are located in Meneké and Maní. For tourism, the marine reserve is a major attraction.
There is great potential for nature- and ecotourism, as well as for guided day tours into the protected area, due to the beauty and diversity of the landscape. The hotel “Palm-Rock-Beach” in San Pedro also offers day tours and involves its neighbours, guests and employees in actions for the protection of sea turtles. For example, egg clutches endangered by the strong coastal dynamics are brought to a “safe” harbour. In addition, up-to-date information and contact addresses about the sea turtle project are also available in the hotels mentioned. The local residents could and should benefit more from day tours than they have so far. There is a need for investment and training here. Potential future starting points for guided tours are the staff of the sea turtle conservation project, as well as the “eco guards” from the adjacent protected area “Reserve Faune a l’embouchure du fleuve Dodo”.
In the course of the past years, local knowledge about the sea turtles, their biology and their habitat has been anchored and enormously expanded. The awareness has grown that the habitat of the sea turtles and these respectful organisms themselves represent a value for the local population, and is one of the cornerstones for sustainable development in the region.
Why is this case a good example of linking tourism and conservation?
Are there plans to further improve this example of tourism supporting conservation in the future?
How could this example be transferred to another protected area and knowledge be shared?
