5 February 2026
Collaboration in Congo- CCAHD partners come together for multiple trainings, research and outreach
2026 is off to a great start for CCAHD! From January 5th-21st, multiple CCAHD partners from Congo and beyond collaborated on a Bycatch Risk Assessment, a national marine mammal symposium, a field-based evaluation of the feasibility of bycatch mitigation trials, boat-based survey training, and sharing of CCAHD outreach and education materials for work with coastal […]
24 December 2025
Over 300 Students Engaged in Atlantic Humpback Dolphin Conservation
To celebrate International Dolphin Day this year, CCAHD partner, TUBE AWU organised a major educational event at the Manyange Na Elombo Campo Marine National Park in southwestern Cameroon. Titled “Activité éducative – Journée du Dauphin”, the event brought together over 300 pupils from the park’s two primary schools (l’École publique inclusive de Campo and l’École […]
22 December 2025
AACF Updates Photo-ID and Acoustic Data on Atlantic humpback dolphin
The African Aquatic Conservation Fund conducted its sixth field survey in the Saloum Delta to update knowledge on the critically endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin, Sousa teuszii. The mission involved AACF staff members Diana Seck and Clinton Fatcheu, together with Charlie Hargrave from the University of St. Andrews for acoustics, and supported by our experienced, long-term […]
The 58-Hour Mission to Save a Humpback Whale in Benguela, Angola
On 22 September 2025, Praia da Caxiva became the center of an extraordinary rescue operation. A 14-meter-long humpback whale, weighing an estimated 30–35 tonnes, had become stranded near the point where a river meets the sea—one of the most difficult settings for any marine animal rescue. Wrapped in a large fishing net and completely beached, […]
Early career Senegalese researcher from the African Aquatic Conservation Fund Joins Regional eDNA Training Workshop in Accra
Diana Seck, Research Assistant at the African Aquatic Conservation Fund (AACF), took part in a five-day Environmental DNA (eDNA) training workshop held in November 2025 at the University of Ghana. The workshop was supported by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), UNESCO, and the Ocean Teacher Global Academy through its Regional Training Centers in Belgium and […]
20 December 2025
After Bycatch Incidents, AMCO and CCAHD Build Local Capacity to Protect Cameroon’s Dolphins
In August 2015, an Atlantic humpback dolphin (AHD) was accidentally captured and killed, and the meat was shared as food in the coastal fishing village of Bamusso, in the Bakassi Peninsula on Cameroon’s border with Nigeria. Earlier in the year, another humpback dolphin was caught and successfully released, although the release was poorly handled. Both […]
24 November 2025
Collaboration with fishers yields dolphin stranding and bycatch data in Cote D’Ivoire
Cote D’Ivoire is located in the middle of the Atlantic humpback dolphin’s (AHD) range, and confirmed records of the species are available from countries nearby, such as Benin, Togo, and Sierra Leone. However, the species has never been documented, either live or dead in the country. While extensive research has been conducted on cetacean bycatch […]
28 October 2025
CCAHD at the IUCN World Conservation Congress
The IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) took place in Abu Dhabi from October 9-15, 2025. The CCAHD was well represented with members from Benin, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo. The CCAHD was also strongly featured at a booth hosted by the IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group with the theme of ‘Conservation Planning and Action […]
26 September 2025
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 […]
28 August 2025
The Gambia: MGK & GMECI Spark Ocean Curiosity in Ibotown Children
In July 2025, the MGK Foundation, in collaboration with the Gambian Marine and Environmental Conservation Initiative (GMECI), organized a joyful and educational beach outing for children from the mangrove community of Ibotown, where MGK’s field school is based. Held at Cape Point Beach in The Gambia, the activity brought together 30 children from oyster-harvesting families […]
Fifth eDNA Survey Boosts Dolphin Conservation in Senegal
In May 2025, following a successful annual boat survey for Atlantic humpback dolphins in the Saloum Delta in February, 2025, the African Aquatic Conservation Fund (AACF) carried out its fifth year of environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling in the Saloum Delta, a critical habitat for the endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii). This work is part […]
Marine Environmental Education for youth in Conakry
On 13 June 2025, CCAHD partner Biotope Guinée organised an environmental education day at the École Franco-Guinéenne Djendjen school in the urban commune of Lambanyi. The initiative aimed to raise environmental awareness among young students aged 1 to 15 through fun and educational activities focused on marine ecology and cetacean protection. Through an interactive presentation, […]
Liberian Fishers Equipped to Safeguard Atlantic Humpback Dolphin
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the conservation of marine mammals in Liberia, on the 27th of May Promoting Liberia’s Unprotected Species organized an outreach event targeting small-scale fishers and local communities. Although Liberia is located in the heart of the Atlantic humpback dolphin’s range, there are no confirmed records of the species in Liberia’s […]
3 July 2025
CCAHD collaboration reinforces capacity for stranding response and data collection in Guinea
Between 2021 and 2024, funding from the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund supported a multi-faceted collaborative dolphin research and conservation project in Guinea, which included boat-based surveys, interview surveys, stakeholder engagement and capacity building. The government partner in this project was the National Center for Aquatic Sciences in Boussara (le Centre National des Sciences […]
23 June 2025
CCAHD Webinar: Bycatch Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Addressing the Greatest Threat to Atlantic Humpback Dolphins
On June 13, 2025, the Consortium for the Conservation of the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (CCAHD) hosted the third webinar in its 2025 series, focused on “Bycatch risk assessment and mitigation: Addressing the greatest threat to Atlantic humpback dolphins” Moderated by Joie Didier Sossoukpe, the session brought together over 34 participants from Africa, Europe, and the […]
11 May 2025
CCAHD Webinar: Regional Collaboration and Conservation Tools for the Critically Endangered Atlantic Humpback Dolphin.
On April 8th, 2025 CCAHD range country partners and stakeholders from across the globe came together for a webinar focused on the urgent need to protect the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii), a critically endangered species found only along Africa’s Atlantic coast. With fewer than 3,000 individuals remaining and populations isolated across 14 countries, these […]
29 March 2025
Back on the Boat in the Saloum Delta!
By Diana Seck, AACF In February, 2025 CCAHD partner, the African Aquatic Conservation Fund (AACF) organised the fifth annual boat survey campaign for the study of Atlantic humpback dolphins (Sousa teuszii) in the Saloum Delta. For 18 days, the team navigated transects in the waters of the Delta to collect essential data on the population […]
19 March 2025
Our 2024 Annual report is available!
The CCAHD 2024 Annual Report is here! What an incredible year it’s been for Atlantic humpback dolphin conservation! This report summarises the collective efforts of the CCAHD and our partners across all 18 of the 19 Sousa teuszii range countries: new partnerships, scientific research, the consortium’s first in-person regional meeting, capacity building, and community […]
18 February 2025
CCAHD WEBINAR: Passive Acoustic Monitoring for manatees and cetaceans
Join the Consortium for the Conservation of the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (CCAHD) for an insightful webinar on Passive Acoustic Monitoring for manatees and cetaceans and discover how this innovative technology is revolutionizing marine mammal research and conservation. Date: February 26th ⏰ Time: 15:00 GMT Speaker: Dr. Julie Oswald, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews […]
9 January 2025
First in person CCAHD meeting and Street Whale festival 2024
From December 2-7th, 2024 CCAHD partners from 13 Atlantic humpback dolphin range countries gathered in Kribi, Cameroon. The first in person meeting of the CCAHD partners aimed at strengthening collaboration among partners, building capacities and developing strategies to promote the conservation of the Atlantic humpback dolphins. The CCAHD meeting was held in parallel to the […]
17 December 2024
The CCAHD and its Partners Make Waves at SMM 2024.
By Elizabeth Agyekumwaa The Consortium for the Conservation of the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (CCAHD) and its partners made a notable impact at the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s biennial Conference (SMM 2024) in Perth. Thanks to generous funding from two anonymous donors and the SMM itself, seven African CCAHD partners attended the meeting, the highest […]
15 October 2024
Back on the Beach and in the boat! Studying Atlantic Humpback Dolphins in the Conkouati-Douli National Park, Congo.
The Conkouati-Douli National Park (CDNP) is located on the northern border of the Republic of Congo, adjacent to the Mayumba National Park in Gabon. Since 2021, this Protected area has been managed by the NGO Noé, and their team has recently embarked on new studies on the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (Sousa teuszii). This work aims […]
2 September 2024
Collaborative research and stakeholder engagement continues in Guinea.
The collaborative dolphin project in Guinea has seen great progress in recent months. The multifaceted project, conceived by CCAHD, includes research, outreach and education,training and capacity building, and government stakeholder engagement. It is hosted by CCAHD partners Biotope International and Biotope Guinea, funded by the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZF), and implemented […]
26 July 2024
New Children’s story book about Atlantic humpback dolphins
The CCAHD is thrilled to announce the publication of a new Children’s book, Keita and the Dolphins. Vibrant illustrations by Howard Gray bring to life a tale shared by Ibrahima Sory Camara, a storyteller in a fishing community in the Republic of Guinea. The tale relates the adventure of Keita, a young fisherman, who disobeys […]
19 July 2024
First confirmed records of Atlantic humpback dolphins in Sierra Leone!
The CCAHD is thrilled to have recently learned of three confirmed records of Atlantic humpback dolphins in Sierra Leone – a country that until now has been considered a ‘possible’ range country due to its geographic location and many areas of suitable habitat, but where no dedicated research or anecdotal records had confirmed the species’ […]
8 April 2024
Regional collaboration on the design and implementation of interview surveys in six Sousa teuszii range countries
CCAHD investigators interviewing local people The Critically Endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii, AHD) is found in small populations along a 7000km stretch of coastline in Central and West Africa – in nearshore habitats that are heavily used by humans for fishing, transport, and coastal development. Limited capacity and resources make it impossible to conduct […]
7 March 2024
Smartphone App promotes citizen science to address data gaps in Cameroon and beyond
CCAHD partner, the African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO) has been working for 10 years to document marine mammal occurrence and threats in Cameroon and more widely in Central and West Africa. These years of work revealed that many marine mammal species, including Atlantic humpback dolphins and African manatees are threatened by poaching, habitat degradation […]
21 February 2024
Two new measures to promote Atlantic humpback dolphin conservation
Over the past week two valuable measures have been adopted that should help to raise awareness of, and support for conservation of the Critically Endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii). In the first instance, during its triennial Conference of Parties (COP) held in Uzbekistan on 12-17 February 2024, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) formally […]
23 January 2024
Single Species Action Plan for the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin up for adoption by the Convention on Migratory Species
The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) will hold its 14th Conference of Parties (COP) in Uzbekistan from 12-17 February, 2024. Document UNEP/CMS/COP14/Doc.27.5.2/Rev.2 presents a new Single Species Action Plan (SSAP) for the Critically Endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin, along with a draft Resolution and draft Decisions for adoption. Adoption of the SSAP can help halt […]
14 September 2023
The CMS Draft Single Species Action Plan for Sousa teuszii receives range country input and endorsement
On September 4th-7th, 2023 several CCAHD partners participated in the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Marine Megafauna Week for the Atlantic Coast of Africa, hosted in collaboration with the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone (PRCM) and the Government of Senegal. The meeting was organised with the primary intention of […]
5 April 2023
Fisheries interview surveys underway in Guinea with an aim to improve conservation of the Atlantic humpback dolphin
In February 2023, a collaborative team led by Biotope Guinea undertook the first full-scale fisheries surveys in five fish landing sites in the prefecture of Forécariah. The interview surveys are part of a wider collaborative project to improve the knowledge and conservation of the Critically Endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) in Guinea. This project […]
2 April 2023
Third annual boat survey of the Delta Saloum, Senegal includes more capacity building, habitat mapping and photo-identification
Sousa teuszii surface in front of a fish landing and smoking site in the Delta Saloum, Senegal. Photo copyright Diana Seck, AACF/CCAHD From March 9-29th, 2023, team members conducted the third boat-based survey of the Saloum Delta, building on previous surveys conducted in July 2021 and March-April 2022. The boat surveys are part of a […]
13 January 2023
Second successful survey conducted in Kamsar and Tristao, Guinea
In November 2022 CCAHD, Biotope, CNSHB and Guinee Ecologie continued the collaborative work on the study and conservation of the Atlantic humpback dolphin in Guinean waters. The project is supported by Mubadala Investment Company and its asset GAC and managed by the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ Fund). Following the initial survey in […]
30 August 2022
Peer-reviewed publication on range-wide collaboration for Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) conservation
A new peer-reviewed paper titled “Range-Wide Conservation Efforts for the Critically Endangered Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (Sousa teuszii)”, published in a special issue of the journal Diversity, highlights the collaborative efforts undertaken at national, regional and international levels to improve the conservation of Critically Endangered Atlantic humpback dolphins. The paper frames these efforts in the context […]
7 July 2022
Collaborative surveys off to a good start in Guinea
In June 2022, the CCAHD, Biotope, the National Aquatic Science Centre of Bussuara (CNSHB) and Guinée Ecologie conducted the first boat surveys as part of a collaborative project on the study and conservation of Atlantic humpback dolphins in Guinea. During 3 weeks, an international team composed of researchers from Guinea, France and Slovenia collected information […]
6 July 2022
Last Atlantic humpback dolphin in Dakhla Bay?
In April 2022, the CCAHD was contacted through its Facebook site by members of the Trouk Youth Association to Protect the Gulf of Wadi Daha (TYA), a small NGO founded by wildlife tour operators with the aim of protecting the marine and coastal environment of Dakhla Bay, south of Morocco (جمعية شباب تروك لحماية خليج […]
30 May 2022
MBZ dolphin project launched in Guinea
On Thursday, May 12th, the collaborative project titled ‘Conservation assessment of the Atlantic humpback dolphin in Guinea’ was officially launched. The project is being implemented by the CCAHD in close collaboration with the Biotope International, Biotope Guinea, the Centre National des Sciences Halieutiques de Boussoura (CNSHB), Guinee Ecologie, and a range of local stakeholders. Biotope […]
29 December 2021
Local community members play crucial role in the rescue and release of Atlantic humpback dolphins in Gabon
By: Judicael Régis Kema Kema and Berthin Lembi (National Parks Agency -ANPN) Anges Marie Ngobou Ngobou (Provincial Fisheries Authority- DGPA) and Dr. Akendengue Aken Igor (Aquatic Species NGO) On the morning of December 22nd, 2021, fishermen from the coastal community of Cap Lopez, Gabon, found more in their beach seine net than they had bargained […]
2 December 2021
STREET WHALE: Art meets science to celebrate Cameroon’s marine diversity
The Street Whale event held in Cameroon on November 11th-13th, 2021, combined art and science to raise awareness of whales and other marine wildlife. The event was organized by CCAHD partner, the African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO) and its partners from in the city of Kribi on the southern coast of Cameroon. The event […]
13 October 2021
Petition submitted to place Atlantic humpback dolphin under US Endangered Species Act
In September 2021 three conservation organisations submitted a petition to the National Marine Fisheries Service today to list the Atlantic humpback dolphin under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). While this Act is part of US law, an official ESA listing, even for species occurring outside the US, can significantly improve the species’ survival […]
7 June 2021
CCAHD Partner in Congo documents multiple live sightings and two bycaught Sousa teuszii
CCAHD Partner, Renatura Congo, have traditionally focused on sea turtle conservation and monitoring activities in the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). Since 2018, Renatura have worked in Conkouati-Douli National Park and adjacent areas to monitor turtle nesting and strandings, and promote conservation with local communities and stakeholders. In March, they expressed a willingness to train their […]
2 June 2021
New communication resource available to assist fund-raising and raise awareness of Sousa teuszii with government and industry stakeholders
CCAHD members have collaborated with Graphic design firm, Agenda28 to create an infographic that captures the most essential information about the Critically endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin. Available for download in English, French and Portuguese, this Infographic will be used to support government engagement meetings planned to take place in June and July 2021 in Gabon, […]
5 March 2021
Valuable Atlantic humpback dolphin sightings reported from Nigeria
By Prof. Edem Eniang, Biodiversity Preservation Center (BPC), Nigeria (www.briodiversitypreservationcenter.org) On February 21st, 2021, Andrew Lynch and his wife were enjoying time on the beach roughly 25 km west of the Lagos Harbour, when they noticed dolphins just beyond the surf. They took photos, and upon returning home, looked for ways to share their sighting […]
New report highlights priorities for Atlantic humpback dolphin conservation
The CCAHD is pleased to announce the publication of a collaborative report in English and French, highlighting the priority actions required for the conservation of the Critically Endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii). The report is the result of extensive expert discussion on the current short- and medium-term priority data gaps and actions required to optimize […]
22 December 2020
Loro Parque Foundation confirm funding for Senegal surveys
At the end of October 2020, the Loro Parque Foundation (LPF) confirmed the success of a funding proposal prepared by the African Aquatic Conservation Fund (AACF) and the CCAHD to carry out a survey of Atlantic humpback dolphins in Senegal. The survey aims to establish a baseline of data and tools required to better understand […]
