IGC Publishes Baseline Situational Assessment for Sherbro River Estuary and Yawri Bay

March 27, 2024

West Africa Blue is excited to share the release of an important new report by the International Growth Centre (IGC) titled “Situational Assessment of the SRE and Yawri Bay: Baseline Report,” which provides comprehensive insights into the socio-economic and environmental conditions of the communities surrounding the Sherbro River Estuary (SRE) and Yawri Bay.

The report, authored by Rens Chazottes, Niccolò F. Meriggi, and Maarten Voors, was carried out with support from West Africa Blue and focuses on assessing community well-being, mangrove conservation, and livelihood strategies in the West Africa Blue’s project area. The IGC, known for its global expertise in economic growth and policy, commissioned independent researchers to lead this study. Their mandate was to deliver a robust socio-economic baseline that would inform conservation and development interventions in the SRE and Yawri Bay areas, both of which are significant for blue carbon initiatives.  The report’s findings are crucial for West Africa Blue’s ongoing work to support sustainable livelihoods and preserve mangrove ecosystems in Sierra Leone.

Key Findings:

• The Sherbro River Estuary’s mangrove forests face significant pressures due to deforestation, driven by economic activities such as fishing and wood extraction. The study found a 20% loss of mangrove cover in certain areas between 2000 and 2020.

• Local communities have a complex relationship with the mangrove ecosystems. While nearly all households rely on mangrove resources for fuelwood, fishing, and construction, there is limited awareness about the ecological benefits of mangroves, such as their role in carbon sequestration and flood prevention.

• Food insecurity is a critical issue for many of the surveyed households, with 61% identified as moderately food insecure, and 29% facing severe food insecurity. This is exacerbated by limited access to agricultural inputs and other livelihood options.

• The report highlights a pressing need for development interventions that address community priorities, such as improving fishing infrastructure, providing alternative livelihood strategies like aquaculture, and introducing micro-finance initiatives to help alleviate dependence on natural resources.

For a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the Sherbro River Estuary and Yawri Bay, we encourage you to explore the full report, which is available for download here.

This research will help shape the future of our conservation projects and community-focused initiatives, ensuring they are grounded in solid data and aligned with local needs.