Cross-border capacity-building workshop for state institutions and local associations in Mauritania and Morocco

The cross‑border workshop in Nouadhibou brought together staff from Mauritanian and Moroccan institutions to strengthen skills in waterbird identification, monitoring, and wetland management. Participants also explored the broader flyway context, discussing threats to migratory species, the impacts of altered hydrology in regional wetlands, and the need for adaptive management in a changing climate. Taking place in the northern tip of Mauritania, this training addressed major gaps in monitoring of key wetlands such as Baie de l’Étoile and Baie de Lévrier, which face increasing pressures from climate change, pollution, and human activities, but the impact on waterbird populations is unknown due to lack of data.

The workshop’s intended outcomes included building a capable local network to conduct regular migratory waterbird counts, also within the framework of the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative monitoring. Special attentio was aid to enhancing community engagement, especially among women and youth. The creation of the new monitoring group GLOBE, distribution of field guides and equipment, and strengthened south–south collaboration with Moroccan partners aim to ensure sustained monitoring and advocacy. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to empower local actors to better protect critical coastal wetlands and contribute to long‑term conservation across the East Atlantic Flyway.