Three Cameroonian marine scientists have completed intensive scientific diving training in Marseille, France, following the United Nations Ocean Conference, as part of efforts to bolster the protection of Cameroon’s marine biodiversity.
The scientists—Aristide Takoukam Kamla, Xavier Ndjamo, and Karel Cyndi Ngnah—are working to conserve the Manyangé na Elombo-Campo National Park, one of Cameroon’s critical sea turtle nesting and feeding grounds.
Kamla, who heads the African Marine Mammal Conservation Organisation (AMMCO), emphasized the urgency of marine protection. “We’re not only losing biodiversity, but local communities are at risk of a food crisis as fish stocks decline. Civil society must support the government in preserving marine and coastal ecosystems,” he stated.
The training, led by experts from France’s Septentrion Environnement institute, covered key areas including marine species identification, underwater mapping, diving safety protocols, and emergency evacuation procedures.
“We’re the first scientific divers trained for this purpose in Cameroon,” said Xavier Ndjamo, coordinator of the community-based environmental group Tube Awu. “We’ve launched a scientific diving initiative to better explore and monitor our marine ecosystems.”
AMMCO environmental educator Karel Cyndi Ngnah added, “My goal is to become an autonomous diver so I can actively participate in underwater research like seafloor mapping and biodiversity site identification.”
Scientific diving is a highly regulated field requiring rigorous training. The Cameroonian biologists underwent practical rescue drills and simulated emergency evacuations to prepare for real-life scenarios in Cameroon.
Carla Di Santo, head of scientific diving at Septentrion Environnement, said the team practiced full-scale medical evacuations and safety protocols, which will now be replicated at field sites such as Ebodjé in Cameroon.
With this new expertise, the three conservationists are set to enhance marine surveillance and biodiversity research, positioning Cameroon as a rising leader in ocean conservation across West and Central Africa.
