Cameroonian Scientists Trained as Nation’s First Scientific Divers to Protect Marine Biodiversity

Photo: Newcasttle University
June 30, 2025 Hour: 7:55 pm
Following the United Nations Ocean Conference in France, three Cameroonian marine scientists have completed intensive training in scientific diving in Marseille, marking a milestone in the country’s marine conservation efforts.
The trainees—Aristide Takoukam Kamla, Xavier Ndjamo, and Karel Cyndi Ngnah—are now equipped to lead underwater research and monitoring in Manyangé na Elombo-Campo National Park, one of Cameroon’s most vital nesting and feeding grounds for sea turtles.
Kamla, president of the African Marine Mammal Conservation Organisation (AMMCO), emphasized the urgency of their mission: “Not only are we losing our biodiversity, but local communities are also at risk of a food crisis, as fish resources could also disappear”.
Under the guidance of Septentrion Environnement, a French marine research institute, the training covered species identification, underwater mapping, regulatory frameworks, and logistical planning. The scientists also underwent rescue and emergency evacuation drills, preparing them for fieldwork in Cameroon’s coastal waters.
Ndjamo, coordinator of the grassroots group Tube Awu, noted, “We’re the first scientific divers to be trained in Cameroon. We’ve launched a scientific diving project to enable the exploration of Cameroon’s marine environments”.
Ngnah, AMMCO’s environmental educator, aims to use her new skills to support community outreach and biodiversity mapping, particularly in Ebodjé, where the team will implement the same safety protocols practiced in Marseille.
As Cameroon deepens its commitment to ocean protection, these newly trained divers are poised to become guardians of the country’s marine ecosystems, bringing scientific rigor and local engagement to the front lines of conservation.
Author: OSG
Source: EFE-Africanews