Safeguard vital marine species

The Atlantic coastline of the Republic of the Congo is a rich marine ecosystem. The Guinea and Benguela Currents converge here, upwelling cold-water nutrients, supporting growth for seaweed and plankton that is a vital food source for fish, marine mammals and birds.

The Loango Bay, a rare rocky area on the Congolese coast, is known for its calm waters and diversity of marine life. The Critically Endangered Atlantic Humpback Dolphin calls these waters home, as do Critically Endangered Hawksbill Turtles, Endangered Green Turtles, Critically Endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks and Angelsharks, in addition to many other types of fish and rays.

It is also one of only two documented foraging grounds for sea turtles along the mainland coast of Central Africa, because the calm waters of the bay provide sanctuary from strong ocean currents and juvenile turtles are often found here.

Prevent overfishing

Despite its significance for marine life, the area is under intense pressure from unsustainable commercial fishing (specifically for shark fin), oil exploration and drilling. Overfishing and illegal operations are straining shark and other fish populations, which negatively impacts biodiversity and local food security. Because commercial fishers often operate in zones reserved for local fishers, the local fishers are experiencing reduced catches.

Join our solution

To increase protection of Congo’s waters, Rainforest Trust and our local partner, Renatura, are working to establish a 123,602-acre Loango Bay Marine Protected Area to safeguard this important area for endangered sea life.

The Loango Bay is already a national priority, and our partner is working closely with the local government as well as national and international experts to create a plan to stop competing commercial fisheries and help meet local communities’ subsistence needs.