At the heart of the flyway: Visiting Parc National du Banc d'Arguin

Following the FOMACO regional forum in Nouakchott, partners of the Climate Resilient East Atlantic Flyway (CREAF) project had the opportunity to visit Parc National du Banc d'Arguin (PNBA) in Mauritania, one of the most important coastal wetlands along the East Atlantic Flyway. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to experience the connections between people, science and conservation that underpin efforts to protect this globally significant site.

A globally important site for migratory birds

Located along the Mauritanian coast, PNBA supports internationally important populations of migratory waterbirds, seabirds and other coastal species. The park is also home to the Imraguen communities, whose livelihoods have long been closely connected to the area's marine resources.

Hosted by colleagues from PNBA, participants visited the field station at Iwik and travelled along the coastline, observing shorebirds such as sanderlings and whimbrels, flocks of feeding flamingos, and fish-eating birds including cormorants, gulls and terns. All of these species depend on the park's extensive coastal habitats and productive marine ecosystems.

Experiencing life in the Banc d'Arguin

The programme included visits to several villages within the park, providing opportunities to meet local residents and learn more about daily life in one of the world's most unique coastal landscapes.

A particular highlight was the opportunity to join Imraguen fishers on a traditional sailing boat, offering a glimpse into the close relationship between local communities and the marine environment. The warm welcome extended by the communities and the chance to share freshly caught fish made the experience especially memorable.

These encounters highlighted the strong connections between healthy ecosystems and local livelihoods, a relationship that is central to long-term resilience in the region.

Science supporting conservation

Another highlight was the opportunity to attend part of PNBA's scientific meeting. Discussions reflected the breadth of research taking place across the park, from seagrass ecosystems and marine ecology to the migratory waterbirds that rely on these habitats.

Together, these studies contribute to a growing understanding of how the site's ecological systems function and how they can be managed in the face of climate change and other pressures. The meeting also highlighted the strong collaboration between local scientists, park managers and international partners working to support conservation in the region.

Particular attention was given to the park's extensive seagrass meadows, which support fish populations, store carbon and form the ecological foundation of many of the food webs that sustain both local livelihoods and migratory waterbirds.

Connecting regional collaboration with local action

For CREAF partners, the visit provided an opportunity to connect regional discussions held during FOMACO with the realities of conservation on the ground. From scientific research and monitoring to community livelihoods and habitat management, PNBA demonstrates how people and nature are deeply interconnected.

The visit reinforced the importance of collaboration between local communities, site managers, researchers and international partners in safeguarding one of the East Atlantic Flyway's most important sites for migratory birds and people alike.