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Women in The Gambia are taking on a vital environmental role by restoring mangrove forests around Banjul while earning their livelihoods from the coastal ecosystem. Fatou Jarjue, a 34-year-old mother living near the Tanbi Wetland, has replanted over 5,000 mangroves in the past year while continuing to harvest crabs, oysters and fish that sustain her family. The salt-tolerant trees serve a dual purpose: they protect the shoreline from erosion and flooding while providing the marine resources that communities depend on for survival.
Jarjue grew up learning to harvest from the wetland at age 12, but has witnessed environmental changes including rising seas and coastal erosion. Rather than only extracting resources, she now dedicates time to monitoring seedlings, replacing damaged plants and inspecting restoration sites. “The mangroves are part of our lives,” she explained, viewing conservation and survival as inseparable. Other women in her community, such as 48-year-old Sussan Colley, have observed how declining mangrove coverage previously reduced oyster harvests and catches.
The Gambia’s Oyster and Cockle Co-management Plan mandates seasonal closures during rainy months to allow oyster populations to regenerate and grow. Marine scientist Dawda Saine noted the closure also protects food safety, as increased water runoff during rains can affect oyster quality. For women like Jarjue, respecting these conservation measures represents an investment in future harvests and community resilience.
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Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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