Between 1980 and 2010, 25% of the mangroves in the Casamance and Sine Saloum regions of Senegal disappeared.
Rising sea levels have caused an increase in water salinity, which has contributed to the destruction of the region’s food resources.
Since 2009, the Océanium association, in partnership with the Carbon Livelihoods Fund, has been committed to restoring mangroves alongside the villagers: 79 million trees planted, the equivalent of 7,920 hectares restored.
10 years after the project was launched, a survey of 850,000 local participants was conducted to measure the social and economic impacts of this program.
The results of the study reveal that the Océanium project is one of the collective actions of which the villagers are most proud to date: 95% of them believe that the mangroves have had at least a positive impact on their lives.
The growing increase in fish, shrimp and oysters through mangrove restoration is contributing to the increase in fish stocks and improved food security.
Mangrove, a real barrier against salt, has a strong impact on rice cultivation: 15% of previously abandoned rice fields have been rehabilitated.
The Fondation Insolite Bâtisseur Philippe Roméro is a member of the Livelihoods Fund and has been supporting this project since 2010.