Sustainable Management of the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark in Benin

ECO-NATURE ONG and Save Our Seas Foundation Commit to the Species’ Conservation

ECO-NATURE (NATURE ECOLOGIQUE) is a Beninese NGO working to conserve biodiversity and promote the sustainable use of natural resources, as part of its broader mission. Our work spans aquatic and terrestrial habitats throughout Benin, with a strong emphasis on species listed as threatened on the IUCN Global Red List and Benin’s National Red List, as well as those with significant ecological or economic value. With support from the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF), ECO-NATURE NGO is implementing its first project focused on sharks — a group of fish globally facing significant threats, mainly from human activities. Overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices are among the primary causes behind the decline and extinction of many shark species worldwide. In Benin, most shark populations are found in coastal waters, which are primarily exploited by artisanal marine fisheries. These sharks are heavily targeted due to the high demand and commercial value of their products, particularly fins and carcasses. The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and listed in Appendix II of CITES, is one of the landed species, especially at the Artisanal Fishing Port of Cotonou (POPAC).

Photo taken during project reconnaissance survey at Ayiguinnou. Photo © Anna Fat’ma ITOUA MBENGHOND

The project, titled “Documenting catches, trade network and building stakeholder conservation capacity to save Sphyrna lewini in Benin”, seeks to assess fishing pressure, map trade networks, and understand usage practices, while strengthening awareness and improving the conservation capacities of key stakeholders such as fishermen, fishmongers, and fisheries managers.

Launched in May 2025 and scheduled to run until May 2026, the project includes activities such as reconnaissance survey, socio-economic data collection and sensitisation, training, and capacity building. In addition to POPAC, activities will extend to the coastal municipalities of Ouidah and Grand-Popo. The project is led by Dr. Edéya Orobiyi Rodrigue Pelebe, a recognized expert in fisheries management, sustainable aquaculture, aquatic ecotoxicology, and biodiversity conservation.

Ultimately, this project will promote behaviour change in favour of the species’ conservation, while generating essential data to inform future decisions and support the development of effective management measures by competent authorities. This initiative represents a renewed opportunity to safeguard the species in Benin’s marine waters. Join us on this journey and follow our progress in this impactful conservation effort.