AMCO Launches Cameroon’s Largest Ocean Access Program for Coral and Marine Conservation
The African Marine Conservation Organisation (AMCO) in April 2025 launched the largest ocean access program in Cameroon to train the next generation of ocean guardians in scuba diving, empowering marine scientists, conservationists, and local fishers to protect fragile ecosystems and endangered species. The program is a step toward restoring depleted coral reefs and safeguarding marine life in Cameroon, including the critically endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii).
“Cameroon’s waters are incredibly rich, yet vastly underexplored,” says Kamla Aristide, President and Founder of AMCO. “We need to identify the species in our waters, understand the challenges they face, and find appropriate solutions. The time to act is now.”
For years, conservation and research in Cameroon largely took place from the surface. But real impact requires going beneath the waters—to study marine species and their habitats directly. This hands-on approach provides the critical knowledge needed for science-based conservation.
Participants started timidly in the pool but are now certified open water divers
The initiative is led by AMCO, in partnership with Septentrion Environnement and Tube Awù, with funding from the Comité Français de l’UICN under its ProBioDev Program and additional support from the National Geographic Society. It forms part of a broader project to conserve biodiversity in the Manyange na Elombo Campo Marine National Park in Cameroon’s South Region, with a special focus on restoring severely degraded coral reefs.
For over two weeks (April 22 – May 5, 2025), in the coastal town of Limbe, participants were trained and certified in scuba diving. Beyond diving, they gained vital ecological monitoring skills: identifying species, assessing ecosystem health, tracking water quality, and analysing habitat interactions. These capabilities are key to restoring coral reefs, protecting marine mammals, and building resilient coastal communities.