The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Gambia

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

GAMBIA / GAMBIE

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Gambia on 16 January 1997. Gambia presently has 2 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 26,304 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Baobolon Wetland Reserve. 16/09/96; North Bank Division; 20,000 ha; 13º50’N 015º90’W. Protected Wetland. A tidal wetland complex on the Gambia River consisting of six major bolons (tributaries), tidal estuaries, and three distinct wetland ecosystems: mangrove forest, saltmarsh and savanna woodland. The tidal flats have been dyked for fresh water retention and rice production. The mangroves provide important fish spawning habitat. The site borders Senegal, offering the potential for bilateral cooperation with management. Human activities are predominantly recreational (birdwatching, wildlife viewing, fishing, and canoeing) and also include mangrove and thatch grass harvesting. Ramsar site no. 860. Most recent RIS information: 1996.

Tanbi Wetland Complex. 02/02/07; Banjul, Kanifing, Brikama; 6,304 ha; 13°26'N and 016°38'W. A low-altitude zone formed from the deposition of marine and fluvial sediments, which constitutes estuarine and intertidal forested wetlands, 80% of which is dominated by mangrove swamps with Rhizophora mangle, R. harrisoni, R. racemosa, Avicennia africana, Laguncularia racemosa, Annona glabra and West Indian Alder Conocarpus erectus being the main mangrove species found here. It captures incoming water and rainfall, thus playing an important role in shoreline stabilization, sediment and nutrient retention and export, ground water replenishment and flood control, thereby acting as a hydrological buffer zone. This site harbours vulnerable species like the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), African Clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), and the Western Red Colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii). The shade of the mangroves provide an important breeding ground for the shrimp Panaeus notialis in the Western African Marine Eco-region. Activities carried out in this area include subsistence fishing and agriculture, oyster and mangrove harvesting and tourism. Exposure to negative influences such as rapid coastal erosion, industrialization and agriculture has been noted. The Integrated Coastal and Marine Biodiversity (ICAM) project, jointly implemented by the Government of Gambia, the World Bank and WWF, will update the existing management plan for this site as well as carry out sensitization and educational activities. Ramsar site no. 1657. Most recent RIS information: 2006.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 23 January 2000, updated 2 February 2007, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.