Banc d'Arguin National Park

• Management systems/management plan: Lack of adequate management systems/management plan
• Human Resources/ Financial Resources: Insufficient management capacity and resources
• Illegal fishing/collecting aquatic resources: Illegal fishing and Mechanical shellfish harvesting
• Marine Transport Infrastructure
• Effects arising from use of transportation infrastructure: Tourism and increased accessibility due to the new Nouadhibou-Nouakchott road
• Impacts of tourism/visitor/recreation
• Housing
• Illegal activities
• Mining
• Oil and gas: Oil exploitation
• Renewable energy facilities

Total amount granted: USD 150,000 in the framework of the World Heritage Centre's Marine Programme

On 27 November 2019, the Staty Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/506/documents/, which provides the following information:

• The management of the property has been strengthened, in particular with the increase in local actions and infrastructure, the involvement of the Scientific Council of the Banc d’Arguin (CSBA), the resident populations and technical and financial partners;
• Monitoring and consultation on fishing have developed. The capture of selachians has decreased and the State Party commits to ban it by the end of 2020;
• A management efficiency chart for the Banc d'Arguin National Park (PNBA) was designed and a first assessment carried out;
• Oil explorations are being carried out by Shell EPM in the C10 and C19 marine oil blocks near the property and have been subject to an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) evaluated by the CSBA. The State Party has committed to transmit a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the World Heritage Centre before a possible operational phase is launched in the C7 oil block;
• Concerning the extension of the Tasiast gold mine planned for 2021, studies on the hydrogeological impact and on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the water catchments of the PNBA have been carried out and assessed by the CSBA. A partnership between PNBA and the mine manager (Tasiast Mauritanie Limited S.A.- TMLSA) was signed to preserve the OUV of the property;
• A Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) of the development of the town of Chami, where gold mining activities are increasing, is being finalized;
• The relocation of villages threatened by climate change has been abandoned in favour of a project for the Green Climate Fund aimed at “improving the resilience of indigenous populations and the ecosystems of the Banc d’Arguin”;
• The process of classifying the PNBA as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) has not seen significant progress but should be relaunched;
• A study on the evaluation of ecosystem services of the PNBA was published;
• A 2020-2024 development and management plan is being drawn up;
• A strategy on ecotourism in PNBA has been developed;
• The State Party wishes to extend the attributes of criteria (ix) and (x) and consider other criteria;

In June 2020, the State Party submitted the SESA of the development of the town of Chami. On 11 February 2021, a meeting was held between the State Party, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN to discuss the strategy regarding ecotourism and the development of the town of Chami following the assessments by the World Heritage Centre and IUCN. The authorities in charge of the management of PNBA also took part in a technical meeting held on the same day with the State Party of Senegal and the authorities in charge of the management of the Diawling National Park (PND), organized by the World Heritage Centre and other organizations regarding the discovery of outbreaks of avian influenza in the PND and the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Senegal) (PNOD) (see also the state of conservation report of the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary).

In February 2021, the State Party submitted to the World Heritage Centre the Terms of Reference of a SESA for a proposed exploration project (seismic program, multi-beam echo sounder (MBES) and coring) in the Mauritanian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The State Party has made significant efforts towards the conservation of the property and it is recommended that the State Party continue these efforts, notably the finalization and implementation of the 2020-2024 development and management plan.

The abandonment of the village relocation project and the project to improve the resilience of ecosystems and local communities are welcomed, notably the proposed inclusive and participatory approach. The State Party is encouraged to continue to develop ecotourism as an alternative resource, ensuring strong involvement of indigenous communities.

The measures taken to protect endangered species, in particular regarding shark fishing and the establishment of sustainable fishing, are welcomed. However, fishing for other species is increasing and needs to be monitored to ensure its sustainability. The direct and indirect impacts of fishing, such as port development and their effects, need to be monitored and managed effectively.

Noting the different reported threats to the OUV of the property, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to continue to put in place the necessary measures to strengthen their monitoring and management, including intensifying efforts for waste management.

The SESA on the development of the town of Chami raises numerous and significant potential threats to the property and its OUV, requiring strict control of the development, implementation of mitigation measures or prohibition of certain activities. The approval of projects that could threaten the OUV of the property must be prevented. It should be noted with concern the conclusions of the CSBA on the gold mining activity in Chami and its potential impact on the OUV of the property and it should be recommended that the State Party implement the recommendations, in particular on the removal of gold panning sites from the PNBA borders and treatment of contaminated sludge.

Regarding the possible designation of the property as a PSSA, the State Party is encouraged to transmit to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) the national navigation data as soon as possible in order to explore the technical feasibility of a possible designation, prior to a nomination. If, however, a PSSA designation proved unsuccessful, it is recommended that the Committee should encourage the State Party to use all national tools to mitigate any risk of maritime traffic around the property.

It is regrettable that the ESIA of the oil exploration of block C19 was not transmitted prior to operations, in accordance with paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines. The reservations expressed by the CSBA on the insufficiency of environmental data and the real risks on the OUV of the property in the event of exploitation should be considered. It is therefore crucial that a new ESIA is carried out in accordance with international standards and good practices and, in accordance with the Operational Guidelines, that it be transmitted to the World Heritage Centre for evaluation before authorizing the transition to an operational phase.

With regard to the ESIA for a multi-block exploration project, the Terms of Reference should be revised to ensure that the ESIA is consistent with the principles of the IUCN World Heritage advise note on Environmental Assessment, including specific assessment of potential impacts on the OUV of the property and consideration of direct, indirect and cumulative impacts.

Regarding the water extraction field for the Tasiast gold mine, studies show that no threat to OUV caused by water extraction has been identified. The CSBA’s reservations on these studies and the request to limit water withdrawals as a precaution are noted. As an extension of the cooperation agreement between PNBA and TMLSA, it is recommended that the State Party consider undertaking a larger-scale strategic technical assessment of the hydrological system in relation to the property.

The discovery of outbreaks of avian influenza in PND and PNOD is worrying. Although to date no cases have been found in the property, it is important to closely monitor the bird populations and implement the guidelines of the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds to contain the outbreak, in close cooperation with the Senegalese authorities.

Finally, the potential addition of new criteria should be the subject of a new nomination, in accordance with paragraph 166 of the Operational Guidelines. The State Party is invited to engage in a dialogue with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN with a view to the potential integration of new attributes that could contribute to the OUV.