Senegal

Mangroves, one of the world’s richest ecosystems, are declining in Casamance, southern Senegal, and thinning forests spurred the Senegal-based non-profit Oceanium to plant six million mangrove trees in a bid to reverse deforestation, thereby boosting fish stocks and reviving livelihoods. Up to 15,000 youths from 130 villages helped with the two-month replanting effort, just completed, which was the first of its kind in Africa, according to Oceanium. Mangrove trees and shrubs are home to rich sources of fish, shellfish and mollusks. In Casamance mangroves have created a fishing economy that supports thousands of locals. (IRIN)