SHELLFISH COLLECTION IN SENEGAMBIAN MANGROVES: A FEMALE KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM IN A PRIORITY CONSERVATION REGION

Shellfish collected in the West African mangrove ecosystem of Senegambia provide a crucial source of dietary protein, but the species harvested for household consumption have received little attention in conservation and socioeconomic research. This study examines the edible mollusks, gastropods, and crustaceans that figure prominently in a mangrove ecosystem that has emerged as a global conservation priority. Based on interviews and field observations, the species that are consumed are identified, as well as the locations within the ecosystem where they are harvested. Attention is also drawn to the gendered practices that inform collection and preservation. Edible shellfish hold considerable potential for monitoring mangrove ecosystem health, which is increasingly affected by deforestation and rising and acidifying seas. This paper highlights the importance of collaborating with local peoples who have cultural and economic ties to mangrove forests and ethnobiological knowledge about the management of these resources, which are essential for the development of effective conservation strategies.