Wongibe Poupezo Dieudonne

Who I am

Born in the Western Grassfields of Cameroon, I grew up in Bafoussam, the capital city of the West Region. Bafoussam is 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the University of Dschang, where I obtained my BSc in zoology in 2016 and MSc in wildlife resource management in 2020. At the age of 17, I became interested in aquatic organisms but knew little about sharks and rays, not to mention swimming. At the university, I noticed that most of my academic seniors and peers weren’t very interested in research into the marine environment and organisms, but that did not change my determination to become a marine biologist. In 2018, for my MSc, I was given an opportunity to conduct my first independent project in Lake Ossa Wildlife Reserve. A few months later, the AMMCO team offered me a place as field assistant on a project that marked the beginning of my career as a marine conservationist. In 2020 I enrolled at the College of Technology, University of Bamenda. Here, in the department of Forestry and Wildlife Technology, I am studying bycatch, toxicology and the intricate dynamics of ocean ecosystems for my PhD. Over the past four years I have led three research projects on the conservation of marine species and am currently leading a bi-national project to facilitate a multi-stakeholder partnership for shark and ray conservation in Cameroon. My journey in marine biology has been driven by a deep commitment to protecting vulnerable species, particularly sharks and rays. In the course of my career I have written and co-authored four peer-reviewed journal articles (one still in press and two in draft form) and have been privileged to present my findings at seven symposia, nationally and internationally.

Where I work

The location of this project is Cameroon’s vibrant coastline, specifically around Kribi and Limbe, in waters renowned for their rich biodiversity and the critical habitats that support a variety of species, including several endangered sharks and rays. The local fishing communities depend heavily on these waters for their livelihoods and a source of protein, making it essential to balance economic needs with conservation efforts. The region has experienced rapid population growth in recent years, with the creation of a deep-sea port at Kribi and the location of the SONARA petrol refinery at Limbe. Shark and ray meat has replaced beef as the major source of protein for this growing coastal population, which has led to increasing fishing pressure and more gill nets of varying lengths being deployed and entangling scalloped hammerhead sharks. The influx of fishermen – from not only Cameroon, but also other African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Chad and Congo – and pollution washing into the sea from industry, homes and farms are contributing to declines in the populations of scalloped hammerheads and other protected species. Research along Cameroon’s coast has been limited and little is known about its elasmobranch species, but if the impacts of fishing pressure and pollution persist, and because most sharks and rays are slow to mature and they produce few offspring, these species’ vulnerability to extinction will increase in the next few decades. It is possible that the next generation of Cameroonians will only hear about these emblematic creatures or see photographs of them.

What I do

This project aims to address the pressing issues of bycatch and pollution, which are major threats to the survival of the scalloped hammerhead shark, an apex predator. It involves a multifaceted approach to the conservation of this species, such as mapping bycatch hotspots, analysing the age structure of sharks that are taken as bycatch and assessing pollution levels. A typical day begins with team briefings to outline our objectives, which often include data collection in the field and community engagement activities. We also organise training workshops to engage with local fishers about sustainable fishing practices and the importance of shark conservation. We often head out to local fishing communities to conduct interviews and find out about their fishing practices and where and how often scalloped hammerheads are caught as bycatch. Every week we observe fishing activities and record the rates of bycatch. By working hands-on with the fishers, we can demonstrate methods of safely releasing sharks that have become entangled in nets. This practical experience enables us to identify hotspots where most bycatch occurs and possible sites for future marine protected areas. We also conduct daily surveys at fish landing sites to record morphometric data. By collecting tissue samples of sharks we are able to assess their age structure and levels of bio-accumulated pollutants, which is essential for understanding population health. When the field work is complete, I enter, code and begin to analyse the data collected and prepare reports.

We communicate regularly with our established partners in the region to share findings and strategise about effective conservation measures. By integrating scientific research with community involvement, our goal is to foster sustainable practices that protect both the scalloped hammerhead shark and the livelihoods of the local communities that depend on these vital marine resources.