Mauritania: Development of mariculture in the Baie du Levrier

Project Background

The Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy (MPEM) intended to develop mariculture as an alternative to capture fisheries. This development effort had to take into account a variety of factors, including technical, environmental, legislative, economic, financial, organisational and other aspects, on the national as well as on the international level.

The MPEM asked GIZ for support in developing mariculture, and GIZ in turn commissioned the COFAD-GOPA consortium to conduct a multi-disciplinary study as a basis for strategic decisions on mariculture development.

Objectives

• General technical aspects of mariculture
• Specific aspects of mussel-and oyster culture
• Environmental aspects
• Legal aspects
• Marketing and other economic aspects
• Aspects of a suitable institutional framework, including incentives for investors to take up mariculture.

Activities and/or Results

• Technical, strategic and policy advice in aquaculture/mariculture development
• Environmental Services: assessment of the existing environmental situation and of possible impacts of different options of mariculture production
• Legal Services: Analysis of the existing legal framework (specific regulations on aquaculture, land and water use rise, environmental legislation, veterinary legislation, economic regulations, export/import regulations, etc.) and elaboration of recommendations for legal provisions conducive to mariculture development
• Institutional Services: Advice on suitable institutional arrangements and incentives
• Economic Services: Economic assessment of different types of mariculture and analysis of marketing opportunities.