Opportunities Generated by Surf Conservation in West Africa and Atlantic Maghreb

ABSTRACT Surfing's potential as a conservation tool is evaluated in West Africa and Atlantic Maghreb by analyzing the spatial overlap between surf spots and key environmental areas. Surfing communities often advocate for protecting their favored locations, linking wave preservation with broader ecosystem conservation. The methodology integrates surf spot data from reference guides with geospatial analysis to assess proximity to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Ramsar sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). Findings reveal that of 146 surf spots across 15 countries, 96 are within or less than 3 km from protected or labeled areas, including 59 near MPAs, 61 near KBAs, and 31 near Ramsar sites. High‐density regions, such as South Morocco, Senegal's Dakar Peninsula, Liberia's Robertsport, and Ghana's Gold Coast, offer significant opportunities for synergy between surfing and conservation. The concept of Surf Conservation and Wave/Surfing reserves could be integrated into coastal management policies to strengthen community‐driven conservation efforts. Such initiatives could raise awareness, engage local communities, authorities, NGOs, and foreign stakeholders, and promote sustainable tourism. By adopting these strategies, West African and Maghreb nations could protect marine ecosystems, create economic opportunities, and establish a development model where environmental preservation and local economies mutually reinforce each other, fostering sustainable livelihoods.