CEM – Conservation des Espèces Marines

• conserve native animal and plant species living in marine environments, including estuaries and river mouths, in Cote d’Ivoire

• contribute to improve the quality of life of populations (especially women) living near the sea, through basic infrastructure and training across all sectors.

The Ivorian non-profit Conservation des Especes Marines (CEM) began work in the 1990s after the discovery of marine turtle nesting sites on beaches along south-western Cote d’Ivoire, particularly in the Bas-Sassandra district. At the time, local communities killed the turtles and harvested eggs for food or sale, unaware of the species’ vulnerability or the sites’ importance to their life cycle.

CEM began working with these communities to protect turtles and their habitat while helping improve their quality of life in harmony with their environment. It now works with local and international partners, national and regional authorities, and local communities to protect coastal and marine ecosystems and strengthen community involvement in conservation and sustainable development.