Gambia is also a dynamic country, currently undergoing profound social, economic and political changes. The efforts initiated by the government to democratize the regime and to modernize the economic structures, are inevitably intertwined with environmental preservation. Human development and economic growth increasingly depend on coastal and marine ecosystems and their capacity to deliver services. Most of urban areas, such as the capital city of Banjul, are located along the Gambia River and the Atlantic coast. Cities are steadily growing along with internal migrations of a young population. During the last decades, large investments have been made into eco-tourism which benefits coastal communities and represent 12% of the GDP. Additionally, agriculture and fishing employ 70% of the population. Along the littoral, rice fields, artisanal and industrial fisheries are crucial for economic and food security.