Participatory governance is a new experience developed by Senegal in the process of organizing, setting up and managing its network of marine protected areas. This approach enables Senegal to better fulfill its commitments under international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted in 1994, and to move from a regalian management model to a participatory process enabling it to transfer its powers to local authorities for the governance of their natural resources. This is an iterative and participatory process, encouraged and supported by the State to enable local communities to create and manage protected areas as a tool for the sustainable management of natural resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits.