Participatory and community approach to the protection of endangered species and their habitats around Kribi

The Cameroonian coast is a privileged habitat for marine fauna since there are four species of marine turtles, all endangered: the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea, VU), the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea, VU), the green turtle (Chelonia mydas, EN) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata, CR) but also marine mammals such as the humpback dolphin (Souza teuszii), the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) frequenting these coastal waters in summer and manatees (Trichechus senegalensis) which are found in the estuarine waters of Nyong and Lokoundjé.

These species are subject to significant anthropogenic pressures with a strong artisanal and semi-industrial fishing activity carried out by local populations, illegal and non-regulatory fishing with accidental catches of some protected species in fishing nets but also the degradation of coastal habitats by deforestation due to agro-industries (rubber and oil palm), lumbering and the cutting of firewood, plastic pollution or pollution generated by oil exploitation.

Located around Kribi, in the Ocean Department, South Cameroon region, this project will concern an area of ​​8 villages with a population of around 5,000 inhabitants, currently not benefiting from any conservation status. The objective of this project is to sustainably improve the state of conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems around Kribi by placing the inhabitants of the intervention area in a more central and decision-making role on these aspects.