CCRP Gabon

In August 2002, the Government of Gabon established 13 new national parks that protect a suite of critical ecosystems and species.  These include a range of marine habitats, as well as the first marine national park in western Central Africa (Mayumba).  Linking these into an effective marine protected area (MPA) system remains a challenge.  The Cetacean Conservation Program (CCRP), a joint program between WCS and the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), has worked in Gabon since 1999.  The CCRP conducts marine mammal research and works with national partners to promote and develop conservation initiatives.  Efforts focus on the humpback whales that migrate to Gabon's near-shore waters to breed during the Southern Hemisphere winter and new initiatives to study and protect the vulnerable Atlantic humpback dolphin and West African Manatee.

The Human Aspect
For the past 30 years, Gabon's economy and small human population have been sustained by oil production revenues.  Production trends from existing wells have indicated dwindling reserves and new oil exploration efforts have focused on offshore concessions, many coincident with seasonal habitats for humpback whales and year round habitats for other cetaceans and marine species.  Other expanding offshore industries include local industrial trawling and leasing of fishing concessions to international fleets.  Balancing the obvious need for sustained economic development with conservation of the marine environment remains a formidable challenge, requiring both institutional and local conservation initiatives.  The CCRP is guiding the development and completion of management objectives.  These include the creation of whale-watching regulations that promote conservation, yet afford sustainable economic opportunities.

Threats
Persistent threats to cetaceans in Gabonese waters have been identified and published in the report Cetacean Conservation and Research in Gabon.  These include oil spills and displacement associated with oil exploration and production activities.  A range of national environmental management and regulatory structures exist, but effective implementation is lacking.  Gabon's whales also remain at risk from the ever-present threat of renewed whaling.  Humpback whales are also a migratory species and encounter a variety of anthropogenic threats throughout their migration; assesing these remains a long-term objective.

WCS Activities
The CCRP uses a number of marine mammal research techniques.  These include photographic identification and genetic studies as well as aerial surveys and satellite tagging.  Genetic analyses have included assessments of population structure among Southern Hemisphere humpback whales and tissues from biopsies have also been used for toxicological assays.  Further analyses include estimates of population size and demographic trends for whales wintering in the waters of Gabon, and ongoing assessments of impacts to Gabon's marine environment from hydrocarbon-related activities.  These data will form the basis of a marine mammal management plan to be presented to the government of Gabon.

Recent surveys have included a focus on the Atlantic humpback dolphin.  The species is one of two cetaceans endemic to Africa and is believed to be rare throughout a patchy range.  The species is limited to near-shore and estuarine environments and is susceptible to coastal threats.  Sightings were recorded during 2002-2004.  Current analyses include a global conservation genetics assessment of all humpback dolphins.

Gabon is believed to host a significant population of West African manatees although recent data is unavailable.  WCS studies have identified the routine availability of manatee meat in various Gabonese marketplaces.  Work in 2004 included opportunistic surveys and yielded a number of sightings.  Further work is planned.

The project has worked with the Gabon Ministry of Water and Forests since its inception and has provided training opportunities for a number of ministry staff and interns.  In addition, the project actively fosters ecotourism initiatives within coastal national parks.  Three doctoral dissertations will draw on collected data, and further opportunities will be provided to students from Gabonese, American, and European institutions.

Important Next Steps

• Completion of a national marine mammal management plan and its effective implementation by the government of Gabon
• Creation of CCRP and marine conservation presence at Mayumba National Park
• Determination of the first post-whaling population size estimate for the Gulf of Guinea humpback whale population
• Dissemination of measures to mitigate impacts for hydrocarbon exploration and development -- the first of its kind for West Africa
• Creation of new models that foster local ecotourism initiatives to ensure effective sustainable conservation
• Continued training of Gabonese partners
• Developing successful regional and international conservation initiatives