Gulf of Guinea

The Gulf of Guinea coastlines sustain significant marine mammal, sharks and marine turtle nesting and feeding grounds, and the region boasts globally significant biodiversity hotspots, especially in the Mayumba-Conkouati-Douli transboundary complex. The joining deep-water substrate features important populations of large pelagic fish and cetaceans, via the biologically rich edge of the continental shelf, to the shallow waters of the continental shelf itself. Continental shelf waters in this area play host to the annual breeding and calving grounds of up to 10% of the world’s humpback whales and the breeding and inter-nesting area of the world’s most important leatherback turtle nesting beach in Mayumba. While Gabon is becoming a model to follow in the region with regards to marine conservation and fisheries management, Congo engaged in the sector in 2015 and is learning from its neighbor. WCS is a longtime partner in the marine conservation efforts of these two countries.