The Banc d'Arguin National Park (PNBA) is one of the largest national parks in Africa. The importance of the park in terms of biodiversity and cultural heritage requires guaranteeing its socio-ecological integrity. Aware of this situation, the PNBA managers and the Delegation for Fisheries Surveillance and Control at Sea (DSPCM) – now the Mauritanian Coast Guard (GCM) – set up a participatory maritime surveillance system in 1999 with the Imraguen, a local community of desert fishermen.