The
Banc d'Arguin National Park () lies in
Western Africa on the west coast of
Mauritania between
Nouakchott and
Nouadhibou. The
World Heritage Site is a major breeding site for
migratory birds. A wide range of species include
flamingos,
broad-billed sandpipers,
pelicans and
terns. Much of the breeding is on
sand banks including the islands of
Tidra,
Niroumi,
Nair,
Kijji and
Arguim. The surrounding waters are some of the richest fishing waters in western Africa and serve as nesting grounds for the entire western region.
The Banc d'Arguin National Park is a
Nature reserve that was established to protect both the natural resources and the valuable fisheries, which makes a significant contribution to the national economy (Hoffmann, 1988), as well as scientifically and aesthetically valuable geological sites, in the interests of and for the recreation of the general public.The park's vast expanses of
mudflats provide a home for over two million migrant
shorebirds from northern
Europe,
Siberia and
Greenland.The region's mild climate and absence of human disturbance makes the park one of the most important sites in the world for these species.The nesting bird population is also noted for its great numbers and diversity. Between 25,000 and 40,000 pairs belonging to 15 species, making the largest colonies of water birds in West Africa (
IUCN Technical Evaluation, 1989).
Conservation
Although the park was constituted as a way to protect its environment,
overfishing by...
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