A FIRST ASSESSMENT OF THE STATUS AND HUMAN IMPACTS ON CETACEAN SPECIES: TOWARDS A NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ALONG THE COAST OF CAMEROON

The lack of information on certain important biodiversity species along the coast of Cameroon presents an urgent need to carry out studies to get more information on better conservation practices. The study was carried out through field surveys, interviews, literature review to present species identified and to compile species checklists, their conservation status and different threats to species. Results showed that at least eleven cetacean species (Sousa teuszii, Delphinus capensis, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis , S. coeruleoalba, S. attenuata, S. clymene, Orcinus orca, Megaptera novaeangliae, Balaenoptera musculus, physalus, and Physeter macrocephalus were identified within the coastal waters in Cameroon. In spite of the existing laws and conservation policies put in place, these species were threatened due to by-catches in gillnets and other fishing gears and the potential for increasing direct takes resulting to significant mortality rates. Aquatic bush meat consumption is also common in local communities. Other threats of varying magnitude include: habitat encroachment through coastal development, overfishing, chemical and acoustic pollution, ship collisions. The almost complete lack of scientific data on the biology, distribution, stock structure and abundance of cetaceans in Cameroon waters makes it difficult to properly assess the impact of these threats.