"Discovery of oil and gas in Senegal : marine environment, protected fishing areas and marine protected areas" : advocacy for collective prevention of ecological risks [résumé]

2017

Colloque

Gueye A., Klof S., Thiaw M., Faye S., Mbaye A., Ndoye S., Capet X., Diop A., Brehmer Patrice

Brehmer Patrice (ed.), Ba B. (ed.), Kraus G. (ed.), International conference ICAWA 2016 : extended book of abstract : the AWA project : ecosystem approach to the management of fisheries and the marine environment in West African waters

Dakar : SRFC/CSRP ; IRD, 2017, p. 119-120 ISBN 978-2-9553602-0-5

ICAWA : International Conference AWA, 3., Dakar (SEN), 2016/12/13-15

Senegal has a network of protected marine areas (MPAs) but also protected fishing areas (SPAs) with a view to conserving marine biodiversity, protecting and restoring habitats and managing fishing. Recent discoveries of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) were successively discovered in 2014 (Sangomar offshore deep 473 million barrels in the deposit) and in 2015 straddling Senegal and Mauritania in the deep offshore Kayar block and that of St. Louis offshore deep (450 billion m3). This type of exploitation refers to original issues because the economic resources coming from the sea are essential for the State (e.g. artisanal fishing and fishing agreements, tourism, coastal urbanization), but also because Senegal is involved in major international conservation agreements. The country is currently at a key moment in its oil history, whose production of the first barrels of oil is expected from 2021-2023. The technical and security arrangements necessary for the environmental management of petroleum exploitation refer to a major concern, linked first to ecological problems in the exploration phase. Impacts on marine biodiversity can be observed with the phenomenon related to the discharge of waste (spoil, sludge, waste etc.) or accidental spills (crude oil). In addition, mapping of sensitive areas on the high seas (surface and seabed) is not clearly defined by scientific research centers (CRODT, CSE, DGEFM, etc.). Thus, faced with insufficient knowledge and information on the Senegalese continental slope and the risks linked to the exploration and future production of fossil fuels at sea, the State must take measures to better control the whole process of the oil and gas activities taking place at sea but above all to be able to reconcile them with maritime fishing and the conservation of marine biodiversity in order to manage all its maritime resources on a sustainable basis. The data, in particular bio-ecological, fishing, physical and anthropological, acquired during the implementation of MPAs and ZPPs are all useful data for the establishment of benchmarks but must also be considered before the start-up phase. Recent exercises to monitor and model the hydrodynamics of the Senegalese continental shelf under the AWA project are also valuable pieces of information that could be used to manage potential impacts (eg Polmar; 07022 of 16/07/2009, on the organization and operation of the national plan to combat marine pollution). The project piloted by AWATOX also made it possible to carry out measurements of the ecotoxicological state of the peninsula of Cape Verde. This project can provide input and support with relevant scientific information. In view of this prospect of development of the Senegalese oil and gas sector, we emphasize that all actors, in particular those of the littoral, are encouraged to a participatory and inclusive management of fossil fuels located in the edge of the continental shelf.

Sciences du milieu [021] ; Pollution [038]

Fonds IRD [F A010071832]

fdi:010072144