Marsassoum sous menace : La disparition de la mangrove provoque l'effondrement de la pêche et de la riziculture
The town of Marsassoum, in the Sédhiou region, is facing a major ecological and socioeconomic disaster: the silent disappearance of the mangrove. This vital ecosystem, once a natural shield and nursery for the ocean, is dwindling at an alarming rate, leaving serious consequences for local life.
The causes of this environmental crisis are multiple, ranging from illegal logging (for fuel and commercial charcoal) to increased salinization of the land. Climate change is exacerbating the situation, with longer droughts reducing the freshwater supply needed for the survival of mangroves.
The devastating environmental consequences
The loss of mangroves has direct ecological repercussions:
Loss of Biodiversity : The destruction of this essential habitat leads to the loss of breeding and feeding grounds for fish, crustaceans (shrimp, crabs) and molluscs, directly threatening the balance of the ecosystem.
Erosion and Saline Intrusion: Without the intertwined roots of mangroves to stabilize the soil, riverbank erosion accelerates. Salt water penetrates deeper into the land, making it infertile for agriculture.
Economic collapse and the threat of emigration
The mayor of Marsassoum, Seyni Mandiang, expressed his grief at the disappearance of this "treasure" and especially regretted the economic and social consequences that impact the daily lives of the population. "The disappearance of this ecosystem directly affects the economic and social fabric of the communities of Marsassoum," the mayor laments.
The collapse manifests itself in two ways:
Artisanal Fishing : Yields have drastically decreased. The rarity of certain species (oysters, crabs, fish) is forcing fishermen to move away or cease their activity.
Agriculture : Saline intrusion makes the land unsuitable for traditional rice cultivation, one of the locality's major economic activities, forcing farmers to abandon their plots.
Faced with the social insecurity caused by the loss of traditional means of subsistence, illegal emigration becomes, for the able-bodied people of the locality, the only perceived way of salvation.
A hope for community restoration
Despite the bleak picture, hope remains thanks to local initiatives. Former Minister Aly Aidar had already made immense efforts to regenerate the green belt of the Soungrougrou River.
Today, young environmental volunteers and the municipality are multiplying their efforts to restore the mangroves and sustain their achievements. The goal is clear: "to restore the mangroves to their former glory" and thus save the ecological and economic future of Marsassoum.
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Renseignez vous sur l' « effet réserve maritime » qui a permis à de nombreux pays d'augmenter fortement leur ressources en poissons par des mesures de protection des zones de frai.
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