Strategy and National Action Plan for Biodiversity

The objectives of this Strategy and Action Plan for biodiversity conservation in Guinea-Bissau can be summarized as follows: Maintain biodiversity through the establishment of a network of protected areas to conserve ecosystems in its various components; Restore degraded ecosystems; Establish priorities in the use and conservation of species according to their economic importance and/or their conservation; Develop plans and integrated programmes for the conservation and development, especially in the sectors whose development is based on the use of biological diversity. The Strategy and Action Plan deal with several aspect of the natural resources sustainable use and protection. The exploitation of water resources is carried out mainly through wells. Considering the socio-economic importance, considerable effort was made by the Government of Guinea-Bissau, regarding the definition of policies and strategies for the sustainable development of resources in certain sectors, especially when it comes to those that focus on specific natural renewable resources.
The National Forestry Director Plan contained an analysis of the situation on the basis of which policies are defined, strategies, actions, and targets to achieve for a sustainable use of forest resources, and also defines the means necessary for their implementation. The Fisheries Master Plan (artisanal and industrial) are essential to define the main principles of development, guide and set the policy of this sector. These plans also propose actions and measures to define, organize and regulate the exploitation of fishery resources into coherent and sustainable scientific basis. The exploitation of natural resources and biodiversity is the basis of the Guinea-Bissau economy contributing to food security and improvement of people's quality of life. The forestry resources are primarily produced for energy in Guinea-Bissau, for building materials and medicines. The exploitation of the resources of terrestrial wildlife and fishing, essentially guarantee the protein intake of the population of Guinea-Bissau. The economy of Guinea-Bissau depends very much on the export of products derived from agriculture and forests, as cashews and timber, and fisheries products. Equally important, with considerable development potential is the tourism sector based on ecotourism, the hunting activities, and sport fishing.