Case 1-5 Consensus building for abalone resource management activities: case of CLPA Dakar Ouest

Key words	Consensus building, Atlantic abalone, CLPA Dakar Ouest, setting of closed season, selective collection
Context	Both the dimensions of Atlantic abalone collected in the waters near Dakar and the abalone harvest have been decreasing year by year. To introduce resource management activities to address the issues above, members of CLPA Dakar Ouest have held discussions with Fisheries Department officials since May 2022 with the support of the JICA project COPAO.
Content	In October 2022, CLPA Dakar Ouest reached a consensus within the CLPA Executive Committee to conduct resource management activities for the Atlantic abalone. Subsequently, it was determined that an agreement was necessary on resource management activities by the divers in each village who were the direct stakeholders of the abalone resources. Thus, at a diver group meeting in Yoff in January 2023, the members agreed to adopt two approaches: 1) establish a closed season, and 2) prohibit the harvest of abalone below a certain size. Separate diver groups also met in Wakam and Ouakam Ngor and reached the same conclusion as Yoff. In response to this situation, in March 2023, 26 people including the Fisheries administrator, COPAO members, CLPA Dakar Ouest executive, diver group leaders from each village, and abalone traders gathered to decide (1) when to set a closed season and (2) how many millimetres or less of abalone should be banned from being harvested. Intense discussions took place between the divers, who were concerned about the shrinking abalone population due to their diminishing size and reduced harvest, and the abalone traders who wanted to purchase as many abalone as possible. After three hours of deliberation, the divers’ concerns about the decline in abalone resources prevailed, and the participants reached an agreement on the following. ⑴ Abalone with shells less than 45 mm in length shall be prohibited from being harvested; ⑵ The abalone harvesting period shall be limited to three months from May to July; and ⑶ Abalone harvesting shall be suspended for nine months from August to April.
Lessons Learned	The following are some of the lessons learned at a consensus-building meeting. Clarify the purpose: At the beginning of a meeting, explain the history of discussions to date and clarify the purpose of the meeting. At gatherings attended by many stakeholders, it is often the case that a variety of opinions emerge and the content of the discussion becomes diffuse. It is important to organize the context of the discussion at each milestone and seek the possibility of consensus building. Do not exclude participants with different opinions: about abalone resources because of their decreasing size and harvest, and traders, who want to collect as many abalone as possible, often have conflicting opinions. At the meeting, it is important not to exclude the opinions of the traders, who are in the minority, while discussing the opinions of the divers and other participants individually, respecting each opinion and discussing it thoroughly. By doing so, even if there are parts of the agreement that not every individual consents to, there will be a recognition that such parts have been discussed in a detailed fashion, and all parties to the resulting agreement must comply with it.
Guideline chapter relevant to this case study	Chapter 1 Identifying the challenges of resource management activities and coordinating stakeholder interests 1.2 Coordination of interests and consensus building among stakeholders (4) Seek consensus through coordination of interests Establish both formal and informal venues and opportunities for consultation, and patiently coordinate the interests among the stakeholders on fishery resources co-management to solve the identified issues. Discuss the objectives, means, and implementation procedures of the co-management activities, and strive to form a consensus among all stakeholders on approaches to the issues.
Situation to which this case study could refer	This case study will be helpful in identifying issues on the ground, identifying stakeholders, sharing the issues among the stakeholders, reconciling mutual interests among the stakeholders, and reaching a consensus.