A stakeholder-informed framework for the sustainable management of coastal lagoons in West Africa

<p> </p> <p><em>Coastal lagoons are highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. In lagoons of the</em></p> <p><em>Global South development challenges and growing coastal populations compound climate</em></p> <p><em>stressors to create complex inter-connected problems that cross social, economic and</em></p> <p><em>environmental boundaries. The successful governance of lagoons thus requires</em></p> <p><em>multidimensional approaches that combine disciplines and incorporate multiple knowledges.</em>A stakeholder informed management framework was developed for West African lagoons</p> <p>using a transdisciplinary and participatory approach. A network of researchers from across the</p> <p>region, collectively known as the Resilient Lagoon Network, facilitated participatory platforms</p> <p>for stakeholders to share their experiences of the stressors facing lagoons and their</p> <p>management. Participants were from academia, government organisations, NGOs, traditional</p> <p>authorities and coastal lagoon communities. The information acquired enabled an</p> <p>understanding and relative importance of the challenges facing lagoons as well as what</p> <p>constituted good management practice and an appreciation for the breadth of lagoon</p> <p>stakeholders. From this information a framework was created comprising three strands that</p> <p>outlined the “what, how and who” of sustainable lagoon management. The “what” consists of</p> <p>a series of social, economic, environmental and governance indicators, linked to the sustainable</p> <p>development goals, that provide a checklist for lagoon sustainability. The “how” outlines</p> <p>tenets of good governance with an emphasis on equity, participation, cooperation and open</p> <p>communication. The “who” maps the range of possible lagoon stakeholders. The framework</p> <p>has been sense tested with lagoon practitioners and made available across the region. Although</p> <p>based on the experience of West African lagoon stakeholders, it could be used to inform the</p> <p>management of lagoons across the Global South.</p>