Position Statement of the West and Central African Coalition for Whales
IWC70 – Hobart, Australia, September 2026
Repositioning Africa in Support of Whale Conservation
As the 70th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC70) approaches, the West and Central African Coalition for Whales recalls the urgent need for several countries in our region to evolve the positions they have taken within the IWC.
This position statement builds on the mobilization carried out in recent years by African scientists, biodiversity experts, civil society organizations, government officials and engaged citizens committed to ocean protection. In 2024, members of the Coalition had already initiated the co-signing of an open letter ahead of IWC69, which gathered more than 110 African signatories and helped raise regional awareness of the need for African countries to support whale conservation.
This mobilization has helped to better document the positions adopted by certain countries in the region at the IWC, raise awareness among a growing number of national and regional stakeholders, and open a broader dialogue on the need to align these positions with our countries’ environmental commitments.
Today, as IWC70 approaches, it is essential to take a further step by clearly affirming a regional position in favor of the conservation of whales, some of the most majestic and iconic species still existing in the world.
1. A concerning trend
For several decades, several IWC member countries in West and Central Africa have regularly supported positions favorable to commercial whaling and/or opposed to essential conservation measures within the IWC.
These positions have included:
• support for initiatives aimed at weakening the international moratorium on commercial whaling;
• support for proposals to allocate commercial whaling quotas;
• opposition to the creation of whale sanctuaries in the South Atlantic and South Pacific;
• the use of food security arguments to justify pro-whaling positions that are disconnected from the realities of our region;
• obstruction of decision-making processes, including by leaving the room during crucial votes in order to break quorum.
These choices are all the more concerning given that no West or Central African country practices, or has ever practiced, commercial whaling, and that several of them have national legislation protecting whales.
2. Positions that contradict our governments’ environmental commitments
The positions taken by several West and Central African governments at the IWC contradict their obligations and commitments under other international frameworks relating to biodiversity and the conservation of marine species, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Abidjan Convention.
They also contradict the national legislation of several African coastal countries, including Benin, Mauritania, the Republic of Congo, the Republic of Guinea and Senegal, which explicitly prohibit the hunting, capture or disturbance of cetaceans and which are actively working to establish marine protected areas at the local level for this purpose.
This inconsistency weakens our countries’ credibility within international conventions and undermines Africa’s image as a region committed to biodiversity conservation.
3. The South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary: a major issue at IWC70
At IWC70, a proposal to establish a whale sanctuary in the South Atlantic is expected to be considered once again.
Long championed by several South American countries and supported in particular by range states such as South Africa and Gabon, this proposal aims to protect an area that is essential for whale migration, reproduction and feeding.
The creation of this sanctuary would represent a major step forward for:
• the conservation of whale populations in the South Atlantic, several of which are still recovering from the decimation caused by commercial whaling in the last century;
• the strengthening of non-lethal research and scientific cooperation;
• the protection of marine biodiversity;
• the resilience of ecosystems and fisheries on which many coastal communities depend;
• the broader development of sustainable and non-lethal economic activities, such as coastal ecotourism and whale watching.
It is important to recall that this proposed sanctuary lies outside the national waters of all West African countries that have persistently opposed it. Their repeated opposition is therefore difficult to justify in light of the real interests of our countries and our populations.
4. Food security cannot justify support for whaling
The recurring use of food security arguments to promote commercial whaling deserves to be examined with the greatest caution.
In West and Central African countries, whale meat is not a source of food for local populations. It should also be recalled that the claim that whales are responsible for the decline of fish stocks is not supported by the current scientific consensus. Recent studies indicate, on the contrary, that whales contribute to the proper functioning of marine ecosystems by promoting nutrient recycling and ocean productivity, with potentially beneficial effects for fisheries. The main pressures currently affecting fishery resources are primarily the result of human activities, including overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and unsustainable fishing practices.
Whales also play a fundamental ecological role in maintaining balanced food webs and the overall health of marine ecosystems. They also contribute to climate regulation through their role in the carbon cycle.
They further represent a growing opportunity for sustainable economic development for coastal countries, particularly through coastal and marine ecotourism activities.
In this context, defending commercial whaling in the name of food security reflects neither the ecological realities nor the socio-economic realities of our region.
5. The need for greater institutional coherence
The members and supporters of the West and Central African Coalition for Whales call for stronger involvement, in each country, of the institutions responsible for the environment, fisheries, foreign affairs and cooperation in defining and representing the positions adopted at the IWC.
In several countries, the positions taken at the IWC appear to be determined primarily by fisheries administrations, without sufficient coordination with ministries of the environment, authorities responsible for marine protected areas, focal points for biodiversity-related conventions, ministries of foreign affairs and cooperation and, more broadly, scientists and civil society.
However, the issues addressed by the IWC go far beyond the fisheries sector alone. They directly concern our countries’ international commitments on the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife and marine species, environmental diplomacy and ocean governance.
Better interministerial coordination is therefore essential to ensure that the positions defended at the IWC are coherent, transparent and aligned with the long-term interests of our countries.
6. Call for Action: Position of the West and Central African Coalition for Whales
As IWC70 approaches, the West and Central African Coalition for Whales calls on governments in the region to adopt positions that are consistent with their broader environmental commitments and to make cetacean conservation a diplomatic and political priority.
In particular, the Coalition urges West and Central African countries, at IWC70, to:
• oppose initiatives aimed at weakening international whale protection or promoting the resumption of commercial whaling;
• support international initiatives for cetacean conservation, including the creation of the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary;
• ensure greater coherence between the positions taken at the IWC, those adopted under other international biodiversity conventions, and national legislation;
• ensure effective coordination between ministries responsible for fisheries, the environment and foreign affairs in the preparation of national positions;
• facilitate the participation, within national delegations to the IWC, of representatives of environment ministries, scientists and, where appropriate, qualified civil society actors;
• uphold the principles of transparency, integrity and accountability in decision-making processes within the IWC;
• fully recognize the ecological, climatic, economic and heritage value of whales for African marine ecosystems;
• engage constructively in IWC processes in order to advance cetacean research, as well as support for and implementation of its conservation and sustainable development programme.
7. Conclusion
Africa has an opportunity to bring a strong, coherent and credible voice in support of marine conservation to the international stage.
At a time when African countries are affirming their ambition to promote a sustainable blue economy, strengthen the resilience of marine ecosystems, achieve global biodiversity goals and preserve their natural heritage, it is essential that the positions they defend at the IWC reflect these ambitions.
Whale conservation is not an issue external to African priorities. It directly concerns the future of our oceans, the health of our marine ecosystems, the resilience of our fisheries and the prospects for sustainable development for our coastal communities.
As IWC70 approaches, the West and Central African Coalition for Whales therefore calls on governments in the region to choose a responsible, coherent position that is firmly oriented toward conservation.
Current list of signatories – updated every 48 hours
- Abba SONKO, CITES Management Expert, Member of the CITES Authority Senegal, Senegal
- Kossi Mawuli HUSUNUKPE, President, E.R.D.-AFRIQUE, Togo
- Aboubacar SANE, Cetaceans Focal Point, National Centre for Fisheries Sciences of Boussoura (CNSHB), Republic of Guinea
- Judicaël Régis KEMA KEMA, Programme Advisor for sustainable fisheries, cetaceans, marine turtles and crocodiles, Aquatic Species NGO, Gabon
- Josea Sagbo DOSSOU BODJRENOU, President, Nature Tropicale NGO, Benin
- Michael Philippe BESSIKE BALINGA, Executive Director, Earth Synergy Initiative, Ghana
- Guy Aimé Florent MALANDA, Director of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Ministry of Forest Economy, Congo
- Saïkou Oumar KIDÉ, Research Assistant Professor, Mauritanian Institute for Oceanographic and Fisheries Research, Mauritania
- Indi da Fonseca HERME, Focal Point for EMOA funds for artisanal fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Guinea-Bissau
- Abdoulaye NDIAYE, Secretary General, CONAPED, Senegal
- Abdoulaye NDIAYE, Board Member, PAPAS, Senegal
- Mika Samba DIOP, Project Coordinator, SRFC, Senegal
- Faya Nestor KONDIANO, Head of Wildlife and Nature Protection Division, National Directorate of Forests and Wildlife / Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Guinea
- Daniel MANGA, Head of Wildlife Management Division, CITES Focal Point/Senegal, Directorate of Water and Forests, Hunting and Soil Conservation, Senegal
- Yamoussa Salifou CAMARA, Researcher, National Centre for Fisheries Sciences of Boussoura (CNSHB), Guinea
- Romuald Ulrich AGOMMA, Legal Advisor, Nature Tropicale NGO, Benin
- Maximin DJONDO, Director, BEES NGO, Benin
- António Pansau NDAFA, Focal Point, CITES Authority, Guinea-Bissau
- Patrice SAGBO, President of ADeD; member of JINUKUN / Nature Tropicale, Benin
- Isaac OKYERE, Coordinator – Ghana Marine Mammals Network, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
- Dramane CHABI AKPO, SG / CCS / SYNPA, Synergie Paysanne (SYNPA), Benin
- Mamadou BALLO, Coordinator, 3AO, Burkina Faso
- Auvine Davina MISSIE-MBOUYOU, Member, Aqua Protect Congo, Congo
- Christy Achtone NKOLLO, President, Aquatic Species NGO, Gabon
- Jacques-Marie BOKO, Certified Expert in Environmental Assessment, Consultant, Benin
- Flavien DOVONOU, Head of HGRE Department, National Water Institute, Benin
- Pierre AHOUANOZIN, Environmental Governance and Communication Officer, Société Karmat Environnement (SKE), Benin
- Mohamed SYLLA, Research Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological Invention/Innovation, Guinea
- Issiakou KOMA, President, Green Environment for Sustainable Development NGO, Benin
- André DIOH, President, Local Platform for Resilience to Climate Change, Senegal
- Ndiogou DIALLO, Conservator, Directorate of National Parks, Senegal
- Balla KEITA, Officer in charge of Sanitary Control of Fishery Products, National Office for the Sanitary Control of Fishery and Aquaculture Products, Guinea
- Ousmane DIOUF, President, VEGETALE PLANETE Association, Senegal
- Innocent DASSEKPO, Secretary General, CRAC2D, Benin
- Aboubacar M’mah SYLLA, Medical Biologist, CERE, Guinea
- Mouhamed SYLLA, Communications Officer, CONAPED, Senegal
- Samba SECK, RAF, ADEPA, Senegal
- Ibrahima NIANG, Coordinator, CLPA Sindia Nird, Senegal
- Idrissa Lamine BAMY, Researcher / Research Director / Professor / Hydrobiologist / Marine Mammal Specialist, National Centre for Fisheries Sciences of Boussoura, Guinea
- Mor MBENGUE, Treasurer, CONIPAS, Senegal
- Mariano HOUNGBÉDJI, Technical Director, Organisation for Sustainable Development and Biodiversity, Benin
- Fodé CAMARA, Researcher, National Centre for Fisheries Sciences of Boussoura (CNSHB), Republic of Guinea
- Toumany KOULIBALY, Researcher; bio-environmentalist; fisheries engineer, National Centre for Fisheries Sciences of Boussoura / MPEM, Guinea
- Marie DOSSOU BODJRENOU, Wetlands Programme Officer, Nature Tropicale NGO, Benin
- Blandine MIMONZOUDE, Programme Officer / Finance Officer, Nature Tropicale NGO, Benin
- Malick DIOUF, Lecturer-Researcher, Faculty of Sciences, UCAD, Senegal
- Mohamed KOUROUMA, Technical Expert in Fishery Resources, Administration and Control of Major Projects (ACGP), Guinea
- Mahawa SACKO, Manager, Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Guinea
- Alpha Oumar BARRY, Research Officer, Institute for Research in Endogenous Technology, Guinea
- Aïssatou Ousmane TRAORÉ, Lecturer-Researcher, IRTEG, Guinea
- Mohamed BANGOURA, Accounting Assistant, National Centre for Fisheries Sciences of Boussoura (CNSHB), Guinea
- Mohamed SANGARE, Human Resources Manager, National Centre for Fisheries Sciences of Boussoura (CNSHB), Guinea
- Tamba Mathieu CAMARA, Fisheries Science Engineer, Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Guinea
- Sègnon Modeste BABA, Agronomist, PackPassion, Benin
- Lansana KOLIE, Head of Fisheries Management Plans Division, National Directorate of Fisheries Management, Guinea
- Harouna CAMARA, Master’s graduate, National Centre for Fisheries Sciences of Boussoura, Guinea
- Adolphe AVOCANH, Research Site Coordinator, Wascal, Benin
- Komla Victor SOKPA, Local Partnership and Intermunicipality Officer, Kloto 1 Town Hall, Togo
- Amaédé BODOMBOSSOU, Executive Director, Civil Society Organizations Platform of Kloto (PF.OSC-Kloto), Togo
- Camille B SODJI, President, Education and Development NGO, Benin
- Mahougnon Baudouin Geoffroy GOUVEITCHA, Researcher, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- Mensa ABOUDOU, Head of Forest Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest Resources, Coastal Protection and Climate Change, Togo
- Koffi Zacharie HOUNDO, Secretary General, Vie Épanouie NGO, Benin
- Sam Kudzo GBEMOU, CEO, Youth-Awareness-Action Association (JSA), Togo
- Noël Comlan AHONONGA, Programme Officer, Initiatives for Sustainable Development (I2D Benin NGO), Benin
- Betania FERREIRA, Director, Programa Tato, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Séverin TCHIBOZO, Ecologist, Centre for Biodiversity Management Research (CRGB), Benin
- Koen VAN WAEREBEEK, Member, COREWAM chapter Benin, Centre for Biodiversity Management Research (CRGB), Cotonou, Benin
- Maurras AKAKPO, Director, BIOSPHERE NGO, Benin
- Dunsin BOLAJI, Deputy Director / Head of Fisheries Technology and Safety Department, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Nigeria
- Justin Patrick Thierry OMAM, Deputy Coordinator, Centre for Agroforestry and Forestry Resources and Continuing Training, Cameroon
- Teddy Tanguy MBENG MENDENE, Technical Assistant, Aquatic Species NGO, Gabon
- Caroll MOUDACHIROU, Vice-President, ACT’ECO, Benin
- Boubacar Issa Bella DIALLO, Director of the Guemeyire Fishing Port, Prefectural Directorate of Fisheries and Maritime Economy of Boffa, Guinea
- Lamine KONATÉ, Head of Plankton Research Laboratory, CEREMAC-G — Marine and Coastal Research Centre of Guinea, Guinea
- Jacob AGOSSEVI, President, Vive le Paysan Nouveau Association, Benin
- Salifou SYLLA, Researcher in the Artisanal Fisheries Department, CNSHB, Guinea
- Abba BABALE, Facilitator, CERAF-Nord, Cameroon
- Aimé Patrick MISSAMBA-LOLA, Permanent National Secretary, Congo Mangroves Platform, Congo
- Cécé Maxime HABA, Bio-environmentalist, Agronomic Research Institute of Guinea, Guinea
- Nadine ASSOGBA, Coordinator, WEW NGO, Benin
- Gnido Amandine ASSOGBA DELEKE, Departmental Director of Water, Forests and Hunting for Zou, General Directorate of Water, Forests and Hunting of Benin, Benin
- Abiolla Robertson AMOUSSOU, Secretary, Youth for Climate Change Mitigation, Benin
- Marième MBENGUE, Journalist, La Voix du Littoral, Senegal
- Khar NIANG, Administrative Officer, Civil Service, Senegal
- Papa Ibrahima DIAW, President, National Union of Fish Wholesalers of Senegal, Senegal
- Mahoutondji Sidoine AKPOVO, Environmentalist, Défenseurs de l’environnement, Benin
- Aline Félicienne HESSOU, Natural Resources and Biodiversity Manager / Entrepreneur, Platinum Group Services SARL, Benin
- Mamoudou SANGARE, Deputy Director, Biotope Guinea, Guinea
- Simon ELWEN, Dr, Stellenbosch University & Sea Search Research and Conservation, South Africa
- Elizabeth AGYEKUMWAA, Ms, University of St Andrews / Ghana Marine Mammal Bycatch Network, Ghana
- Lamin JASSEY, Mr, Gunjur Conservationists and Ecotourism Association CETAG, The Gambia
- Lucy KEITH-DIAGNE, Director, African Aquatic Conservation Fund, Senegal
- Nathalie MIANSEKO NTONDELE, Director, Renatura Congo, Congo
- Clémence CHAMOUTON, Research Assistant, Renatura Congo, Congo
- Djafarou IDRISSOU, Conservator of the Abdoulaye Wildlife Reserve, Ministry of Environment, Forest Resources, Coastal Protection and Climate Change, Togo
- Hermann KAVOUGOUR, President, Collective of Nationals and Ecologists of the Batéké Plateaux, Gabon
- Kolanga CAMARA, Consultant, African Aquatic Conservation Fund, Guinea
- Nyan SANGBE, Guinean Network for Biodiversity Protection and Climate Change, NGO, Guinea
- Josué KPETERE, CTAF Coordinator, Ministry of Living Environment and Sustainable Development, Benin
- Tozie ZOKUFA, Executive Director, Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations, South Africa
- Houssoube KAKINE, National Coordinator, ZONAL, Chad
- Gabriel Hoinsoude SEGNIAGBETO, Zoologist, Full Professor, Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology (LaEE), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lomé, Togo
- Clinton FACTHEU, Postdoctoral Researcher, African Aquatic Conservation Fund, Senegal
- Abdou KAMATCHALO, Master’s degree holder in resource management, University of Lomé, Togo
- Timothy Kamuzu PHIRI, Executive Director, Mizu Eco-Care, Zambia
- Thierno Mamadou THIAM, Biologist, UGANC, Guinea
- Ndeye Seyni FAYE, Co-founder, Blue Earth Initiative, Senegal
- Christ Eminence LANDZI, President, Association Les Amis du Bassin du Congo, Republic of Congo
- Ndeye Binta NDOYE, Deputy Treasurer, Blue Earth Initiative, Senegal
- Alain Geraud Exhausse OTSIA, President, GINAGE Agro-pastoral Livestock Cooperative, Congo
- Hézouwè TSENGLE, Geographer / PhD candidate in urban ecology and sanitation, University of Lomé, Togo
- Akuwa Ewoe KPAKPO, Ecologist and Wildlife Resources Manager / PhD candidate in Life Sciences, Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology (LaEE), University of Lomé, Togo
- N Yaovi Sitsofe ATTIGAN, Prefectural Director for Golfe, Ministry of Environment, Forest Resources, Coastal Protection and Climate Change, Togo
- Ousseini ISSA IBRAHIM, Communications Officer, Blue Heart Initiative, Senegal
- Mourtada NDIAYE, Fish trader, Defar Ngaparou, Senegal
- Arfou SALEY, Conservator, MEHA, Niger
- Prudence WANKO, West Africa Regional Director, Blue Ventures, Senegal
- Souleymane SÉNE, Fish trader, Organisation, Senegal
- Soule HAMIDOU, Focal Point, CITES Authority, Union of the Comoros
- Amadou Babacar SARR, Technical Officer, Blue Ventures, Senegal
- Elie TOBI, Assistant Curator and Manager, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability, Gabon
- Mamadou Lamine COLY, President, Eco Rurale pour la Formation et le Développement Local, Senegal
- Bonheur SHEBALOLE, Facilitator / Environmentalist, PF-RDC, Congo-Kinshasa
- Babacar Ngor DIOM, President, Ambassadeur de l’Environnement, Senegal
- Sadou BA, Executive Director, Actions Citoyennes pour le Climat et la Conservation, Senegal
- Ndeye Ndiaye CAMARA, Fisheries and Oyster Farming Officer, AGIRE, Senegal
- Baye Biram FALL, Vice-President, UNAPAS, Senegal
- Abdoulaye NDIAYE, Campaign Manager, Blue Ventures Conservation, Senegal
- Salvatore CERCHIO, Scientist, African Aquatic Conservation Fund, Senegal
- Abdou Karim SALL, President, Association for the Integrated Management of Natural Resources and the Environment (AGIRE), Senegal
- Eugène KPODONOU, Water, Forests and Hunting Officer, General Directorate of Water, Forests and Hunting, Benin
- Hervé AKOUTE, Fisheries Technician at the DPH, Agronomist specializing in animal and fisheries health and production, Benin
- Benito Bienvenu LEGBA, Intern, DGEFC, Benin
- Cyprien EDAH, Head of Protection and Surveillance Division, Forest Management Technical Unit (CTAF), Benin
- Gautier AMOUSSOU, Coordinator, ECO-BENIN, Benin
- Mathias KPOULOMOU, Master’s student working on manatees, African Aquatic Conservation Fund, Guinea
- Didier DAGBA, Chair of the Board of Directors, Jeunesse Espérance Bénin, Benin
- Fleurielle AGBO-DJAGLI, Health, Safety and Environment Focal Point, AGIRE, Benin
- Modeste HODONOU, Education and Communication Officer, CREDI-ONG / Committee, Benin
- Mathieu DUCROCQ, Chair of the Scientific Council, RAMPAO, Senegal
- Alpha Oumar BALDE, Country Manager, Sylvatrop Consulting / Member of the Guinea Scientific Authority, Guinea
- Loubistell MPIKA NGOUBILI, CITES Focal Point, Ministry of Forest Economy, Republic of Congo
- Tess GRIDLEY, Dr, Sea Search Research and Conservation, South Africa
- Kofi AGBOGAH, Director, Hen Mpoano, Ghana
- Mamadou FAYE, Surveillance Member, CLP, Senegal
- Emile GNANHOUI, Secretary of the Board of Directors, AMSHARTE NGO, Benin
- Rose NAHA, Lawyer, Environmentalist, Benin
- Djibril DIOUCK, Biologist, Coordinator of the Marine Turtle Survival Project / DPN, Senegal
- Félix DANVI, Executive Director, CRIPADD NGO, Benin
- Datiagri YOA KASSA, Head of Service in charge of Environment and Economy, AVIGREF Pendjari, Benin
- Damien MARTIN, Director, Périchoux SARL, Benin
- Zacharie SOHOU, Fisheries Oceanographer, IRHOB, Benin
- Diana SECK, Research Assistant, African Aquatic Conservation Fund, Senegal
- Leondre Sylvain DIEDHIOU, Secretary, APAC Oulem Kuwii du Royaume de Mlomp Kssa, Senegal
- Benjamin Honoré NAHUM, Journalist and Media Manager, MEDIA, Benin
- Yasmina ADEBI, Researcher, expert in the protection and conservation of wetlands and protected areas, UAC, Benin
- Moustapha Ibrahima CAMARA, Programme Manager, RENASP, Guinea
- Amadou SYLLA, Facilitator, Ressource Naturelle Sans Pauvreté, Guinea
- Séraphin GBAMOU, Executive Director, Ressources Naturelles Sans Pauvreté, Guinea
- Fode Idrissa KALLO, Secretary General, CONAPEG – National Confederation of Fisheries Professionals of Guinea, Guinea
- Mamadou DIAWARA, Executive Director, Guinée Écologie, Guinea
- Hedman NKAYA, Research Assistant, Renatura Congo, Congo
- Sourou Innocent AVOGNON, Retired Magistrate, Cœur Suprême Bénin, Benin
- Mamadou DIALLO, Former CITES Focal Point / Retired, Republic of Guinea
- Cheikh Waly NDAO, Environmental Advocacy Officer, RENOPE, Senegal
- Ndeye SAMB, Park Conservator, Ndiael Wildlife Reserve, Senegal
- Elhadji Amadou BA, Coordinator, RCECSO – Environmental Conservation Network of Casamance and Eastern Senegal, Senegal
- Edem ENIANG, Professor, Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
- Salimata BA, Finance Officer, AGIRE, Senegal
- Sènan Auriol Marcel GANSOU, Young Researcher in Biodiversity Conservation, Laboratory of Applied Ecology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- Cedric Ingrid BIANKEU, Coordinator of the Pro-Campo Campo Project, African Marine Conservation Organisation (AMCO), Cameroon
- Lawali MALAM KARAMI, National Coordinator, ATPF NGO – Land Management and Forest Production, Niger
- Harrison AJEBE NNOKO NGAAJE, Executive President, AJESH, Cameroon
- Louis NKEMBI, President and CEO, ERuDeF & ERUDEF University in Buea, Cameroon
- Komi AKPA, President, UONGTO, Togo
- Patricia KINJA, Executive Director, Femmes Solidaires, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ibrahima FALL, Programme Manager, Green Senegal NGO, Senegal
- Guy Roger IBOUILI, Executive Director / Trained Forestry Engineer, NGUDU DIMBU NGO, Gabon
- Nestor LUBUTA, Director / BCN-Interpol Focal Point / Biosafety and Biosecurity Expert, Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), Congo-Kinshasa
- Nelly-Françoise COMTE, Coordinator, CERPAC, Congo-Kinshasa
- DJIDJOHO JÉSUGNON MARCEL GOUSSANOU, English-French Interpreter-Translator / Strategic Communicator / Voice-over Artist, Partner of Nature Tropicale NGO-Benin, Benin
- Crispin KIBAMBE NTSHIANKA, Researcher, Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Stanislas GANG LANG’NE, President, GEOTECH, Cameroon
- Dikenane KOMBILA, Founder, PROGRAM NGO, Gabon
- Quentin BODIGUEL, Deputy Director, Renatura Congo, Republic of Congo
- Cedrick FOGWAN, Programme Officer, African Marine Conservation Organisation, Cameroon
- Guy Aristide MENGOUE BENGONDO, Project Coordinator AMCO_GEF SGP OP8, African Marine Conservation Organization (AMCO), Cameroon
- Aristide TAKOUKAM KAMLA, President, African Marine Conservation Organisation, Cameroon
- Sory DIAKITÉ, Head of Internal Quality Assurance Unit (CIAQ), CEREMAC-G, Guinea
- Abdoulaye Mountaga BALDÉ, Head of Publication Unit, CEREMAC-G, Guinea
- Amed GUISSÉ, Head of Hydrobiology Department, CEREMAC-G, Guinea
- Houangninan MIDINOUDEWA, Project Manager, Benin Marine Conservation Club, Benin
- Michel MONGE, Regional Coordinator / Central Africa, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC), Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ousmane II CAMARA, Fisheries Biologist, National Centre for Fisheries Sciences of Boussoura (CNSHB), Guinea
- Honoré OKOUNDÉ, Accountant, CREDI-ONG, Benin
- Isidore AYISSI, Lecturer-Researcher, University of Douala, Department of Oceanography, Cameroon
- Alva Raoul AGOSSOU, RPSE, CREDI-ONG, Benin
- Martial KOUDERIN, Executive Director, CREDI-ONG, Benin
- Dominique NTJA, Programme Officer for Sustainable Natural Resource Management, Cameroun Ecologie, Cameroon
- Gloria UJOR, Director, Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team, Nigeria
- Junior Honoré VODOUNNOU, Level 4 CMAS Scuba Diver, Société VOD DIAS, Benin
- Jonathan GOKAH, Coordinator, Kasa Initiative Ghana, Ghana
- Jean BIKITBE FILS, PhD Candidate, University of Yaoundé 1 / Faculty of Sciences / Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Cameroon
- Roger DORE, Biodiversity Programme Officer, Guinée Écologie, Guinea
- ADJÉ CHRISTIAN, Researcher, Institute for Fisheries and Oceanological Research of Benin, Benin
- Sinagabe O Ulysse KOROGONE, CITES Focal Point, CITES Management Authority, Benin
- Amy WEBBER, Marine Biologist, Dyer Island Conservation Trust, South Africa
- Mathew Olufemi OKUNUGA, Mr, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria
- Donkris MEVUTA, Executive Director, Friends of the Nation, Ghana
- Claude KIMBAKALA, Research Assistant, Renatura Congo, Congo-Brazzaville
- Sènanan Gildas Augustin PATINVOH, Expert in Organizational and Institutional Development of the STP CNOS, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Benin
- Zacharie SOHOU, Resource Person, OCEPÊCHE, Benin
- Tomas DIAGNE, Director, African Chelonian Institute / AACF, Senegal
- Johnson J. GEPLY, Assistant Professor & Chairperson, Department of Forestry, W. R. T. College of Agriculture & Forestry, University of Liberia / Head, CITES Scientific Authority for Liberia, Liberia
- Mohammed Nambyl A. FAGBÉMI, Lecturer-Researcher, ISSMV de Dalaba, Benin
- Mazabalo TONOU, Member of the CITES Unit, CITES Management Authority, Togo
- Papa Ibrahima DIAW, President, National Union of Fish Traders of Senegal — UNAMS, Senegal
- Mansour Sora WADE, Member, SOS Littoral, Senegal
- Mohamed Salifou TOURE, National Focal Point for the BBNJ Treaty / Legal Adviser to FECAN, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) / Environment and Natural Capital Fund (FECAN), Guinea
- Foromo GOÉPOGUI, Conservator, National Directorate of Forests and Wildlife / Wildlife and Nature Protection Division, Guinea
- Aissata Kany CONDÉ, Conservator, National Directorate of Forests and Wildlife, Guinea
- Jeanne DOUFANGADOUNO, Conservator, National Directorate of Forests and Wildlife / Wildlife and Nature Protection Division, Guinea
- Kadiatou DIABY, Conservator, National Directorate of Forests and Wildlife, Guinea
- Kolouchè Angèle BIAO, Interpreter, Benin
- Angela Manekuor LAMPTEY, Senior Lecturer in Fisheries Management, Stock Assessment and Fish Taxonomy, University of Ghana, Ghana
- English version
Mahougnon Baudouin Geoffroy GOUVEITCHA, Researcher, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- Cédric DOVONOU, Senior Technician in Hydrogeology and Water Resources Management, National Water Institute, Benin
- Luc GNONLONSA, Researcher, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- Agbétognon Aubède MEDETO, Environmental Planning Specialist and Environmental Protection Technician / Whale Conservation Activist, Nature Tropicale NGO, Benin
- Firmin AKONDE, Environmental Protection Technician / Conservation and Preservation of Marine Protected Areas, Nature Tropicale NGO, Benin
- Wim C. MULLIÉ, Member of the Scientific Council, African Aquatic Conservation Fund, Senegal